Our policies
Site, Community and Bible College Policies
12.1 Christian purpose and faith
Disciple Makers Bible College Online exists to equip believers to become disciple makers through biblical learning and practical ministry. Our work centres on Jesus Christ, Scripture, prayer, service and love for our neighbours. The separate Faith Statement page sets out the organisation's statement of faith.
12.2 Respectful learning and interpretation
Welcome sincere questions and respectful discussion. Tutors should distinguish agreed college teaching, personal interpretation and areas where Christians differ. Treat learners and visitors of every background with dignity.
12.3 Voluntary sharing and safe authority
Personal testimony, publicity participation and disclosure of private experiences are voluntary. Spiritual authority must never be used to silence concerns, demand money, exploit people or discourage appropriate professional help. Apply these values alongside the safeguarding, conduct and equality policies.
12.4 Review and contact
Revised: 13 October 2026. Contact: Contact Us.
13.1 Leadership and policy review
Leadership is responsible for adopting policies, assigning accountable owners, ensuring suitable resources and keeping accurate records. Review policies at least annually and when activities, legal requirements or risks materially change.
13.2 Risks and conflicts of interest
Record risks affecting children, adults at risk, students, volunteers, finances, information and online interactions. Identify practical controls, owners and follow-up actions. Declare conflicts of interest; affected people should not decide matters in which they have a conflicting personal interest.
13.3 Financial accountability
Financial decisions require a clear lawful recipient, proper records and proportionate independent checks. Do not claim registrations, accreditation or completed safety checks without evidence. New activities involving children, fundraising or sensitive records need suitable arrangements before launch.
13.4 Adoption and operational checks
This collection was revised on 13 October 2026. Leadership must confirm adoption, legal controller details and the operational arrangements identified in individual policies. Each institution maintains its own safeguarding and escalation contact details. A policy's presence on the website does not prove every procedure or technical control is already implemented.
13.5 Review and contact
Revised: 13 October 2026. Contact: Contact Us.
14.1 Public reading and registered posting
DiscipleM's public community is intended for Christian fellowship, encouragement and ministry experiences. Visitors can read public posts. To create posts or comments, register, sign in and meet the relevant group membership requirements. Use an accurate account identity; do not impersonate another person or create accounts to evade restrictions.
14.2 Private college group approval
The private Disciple Makers Bible College Online group is for applicants, current or former Bible College students and teachers. Each request requires administrator approval after checking college records. Community membership does not itself enrol a student. Do not copy private-group posts, invite unauthorised people or share access links outside the approved group.
14.3 Privacy and administrator responsibilities
Public posts can be read, copied and shared by others. Choose carefully what to disclose and respect other people's privacy. Registration and group approval do not guarantee that every contribution is correct or previously reviewed. Administrators may remove posts and apply proportionate restrictions under the moderation policy.
14.4 Review and contact
Revised: 13 October 2026. Contact: Contact Us.
15.1 Proportionate moderation
Members are responsible for what they post. Administrators may remove content that breaches these policies, restrict posting, suspend membership or remove an account's community access. Responses should be proportionate; serious threats, exploitation, scams or unlawful content may require immediate protective action and referral to authorities.
15.2 Reporting harmful or unlawful content
To report, use the platform's reporting control where available or Contact Us with the page or post link, date and a brief factual explanation. Do not repost harmful content to attract attention. Suspected child sexual abuse material must not be downloaded or circulated; report its location to the appropriate authority.
15.3 Fair decisions and appeals
Review reports fairly and preserve only evidence necessary for safety or a legitimate review. Give reasons for restrictions where safe and lawful. A member may request a review through Contact Us; use a different reviewer where possible. Reporting in good faith must not lead to retaliation.
15.4 Emergencies and monitoring limits
Moderation is not a promise of constant monitoring. For immediate danger contact local emergency services. Policy wording does not replace the site's required risk assessments, reporting systems or technical access controls.
15.5 Review and contact
Revised: 13 October 2026. Contact: Contact Us.
16.1 Truthful and respectful sharing
Share your own experience truthfully and respectfully. Explain it as your personal testimony rather than a guaranteed outcome for everyone. Ask permission before identifying another person, quoting their private words or sharing their image. Anonymise details that could expose someone to harm.
16.2 Privacy and consent
Do not include children's identifying details, addresses, confidential safeguarding matters, medical records or unverified allegations. Use private contact routes for support needs and disclosures. A prayer request is not permission for publicity, fundraising or redistribution.
16.3 Prayer and professional care
Prayer and pastoral encouragement are voluntary. Do not shame people for illness or suffering, promise guaranteed healing, pressure them to stop medication or discourage professional care. Christian ministry does not replace qualified medical, mental-health, legal or financial assistance.
16.4 Corrections and removal requests
The same posting and moderation rules apply to house-church testimonies and the testimonies page. Ask through Contact Us to correct or remove your contribution; copies already made by other people may remain beyond the site's control.
16.5 Review and contact
Revised: 13 October 2026. Contact: Contact Us.
17.1 Permission before recording
Ask before recording classes, meetings or pastoral conversations. Explain the purpose, intended audience, storage and any later publicity use. Attendance is not automatic consent to public posting or fundraising use. Provide a reasonable alternative where someone declines to appear.
17.2 Children's images and safety
Public use of a child's image needs appropriate parent or guardian permission, consideration of the child's wishes and a safety assessment. Do not show identifying locations or sensitive circumstances that could create risk. Permission to take a photograph is not unlimited permission to reuse it.
17.3 Private recordings and separate publicity permission
Keep private recordings and learner contributions accessible only to authorised people. Do not upload another person's voice, image or testimony without appropriate rights and permission. Obtain separate permission for publicity beyond the original learning purpose.
17.4 Withdrawal and removal
Contact Us to withdraw publicity consent or request correction or removal. Stop future consent-based use and consider removal from controlled channels; explain any lawful retention needs and the limits of recalling third-party copies.
17.5 Review and contact
Revised: 13 October 2026. Contact: Contact Us.
18.1 Rights, licences and source acknowledgements
Upload only material you created, have permission to use or may lawfully use under an applicable licence or exception. Giving credit, using a small excerpt or being non-commercial does not automatically make reuse lawful. Follow the licence conditions and acknowledge sources.
18.2 Use of course materials and ownership
Students may use course materials for their own learning as permitted by the tutor. Do not sell, republish or distribute private recordings, classmates' work or teaching materials without permission. Contributors keep their ownership; the site's limited permission to host and display a submission is described in the Terms and Conditions.
18.3 Copyright concerns and takedown requests
For a copyright concern, send Contact Us the relevant link, identification of the work, your relationship to the rights holder and the requested action. Consider claims fairly, restrict disputed material where appropriate and let affected contributors respond. Do not submit knowingly false claims.
18.4 Review and contact
Revised: 13 October 2026. Contact: Contact Us.
19.1 Attendance and preparation
Students should attend scheduled teaching, prepare for sessions and complete the learning activities communicated by tutors. Attendance is recorded for course administration and certificate review, with access limited to authorised staff.
19.2 Absence, support and catch-up work
Tell your tutor when you cannot attend. Discuss illness, caring responsibilities, connectivity problems or accessibility needs privately. A tutor may agree suitable catch-up work or an extension; do not assume that a recording automatically counts as attendance.
19.3 Requirements, corrections and appeals
Before applying certificate decisions, the college must communicate its attendance and completion requirements consistently. This policy does not invent a minimum percentage. Missing sessions should prompt support and a fair review rather than an automatic unsupported penalty. Students may request correction of an attendance record or appeal a decision.
19.4 Review and contact
Revised: 13 October 2026. Contact: Contact Us.
20.1 Assessment instructions and submissions
Tutors must explain assignments, deadlines, assessment criteria and the permitted help or resources. Submit work through the private route specified for the course. Keep evidence of completion and report technical problems promptly.
20.2 Quiz pass marks and retakes
Where a quiz is marked with a 100% pass requirement and retakes allowed, the learner may retry until all answers are correct. Tutors should give suitable learning feedback. Other assessments follow their stated criteria; quiz completion alone does not automatically qualify someone for a certificate.
20.3 Certificate requirements and status
Disciple Makers Bible College Online offers a free six-month Certificate in Bible Studies. Students are expected to attend regularly, participate in lessons, and complete the required coursework and ministry activities to qualify for the certificate. Upon completion of the course or specific modules, students will be awarded an electronic certificate. The college is not accredited. No external accreditation, degree equivalence, professional licence or automatic ordination is claimed by this policy.
20.4 Feedback, support and appeals
Students may ask for a correction, explanation or review of an assessment or certificate decision through the complaints and appeals procedure. Reasonable support and agreed extensions should be documented.
20.5 Review and contact
Revised: 13 October 2026. Contact: Contact Us.
21.1 Original work and acknowledgement
Submit your own work and acknowledge quotations, sources and any authorised collaboration. Do not copy another learner, purchase assignments, fabricate ministry reports or let another person complete your quiz or assessment.
21.2 Permitted AI use and confidentiality
AI assistance is permitted only within the tutor's stated instructions. Disclose material AI use, check accuracy and do not present generated work as your own unaided understanding. Do not upload classmates' work, private learner records or confidential ministry information into public AI services.
21.3 Fair review of integrity concerns
A concern must be reviewed fairly. Explain the evidence, give the student an opportunity to respond and consider misunderstanding, support needs and severity before deciding proportionate action. An automated plagiarism or AI score alone should not decide guilt. Students may appeal under the complaints procedure.
21.4 Review and contact
Revised: 13 October 2026. Contact: Contact Us.
22.1 Private submission channels
Submit assignments only through the approved private channel identified by your tutor. Public feeds, public testimonies and open discussion posts are unsuitable for confidential work, grades or personal records.
22.2 Authorised access to records
Access to applications, attendance, submitted work and certificate records is limited to the owner and people specifically authorised for a relevant role. Teachers should see only what they need; students must not access other learners' private records. Keep passwords and administrative access personal and secure.
22.3 Accuracy, minimisation and retention
Record relevant facts accurately, correct errors and use a documented retention schedule. Do not keep unnecessary sensitive details in assignment reflections; anonymise people encountered during ministry. Do not export or forward records without authorisation and a lawful reason.
22.4 Incidents and confidentiality limits
Report accidental disclosure or unauthorised access immediately through Contact Us or the responsible administrator. Confidentiality has limits where safeguarding or lawful reporting requires necessary information to be shared. This policy must be supported by verified access controls.
22.5 Review and contact
Revised: 13 October 2026. Contact: Contact Us.
23.1 Reporting access barriers
We aim for readable pages, clear forms and learning materials that people can use across devices. Tell us through Contact Us or your tutor if language, disability, connectivity or another barrier affects participation.
23.2 Individual support and adjustments
Discuss adjustments individually and privately. Depending on the course and available resources, support may include clearer formatting, alternative submission formats, captions, extra time or agreed catch-up arrangements. Do not promise every format or adjustment before confirming that it can be provided.
23.3 Fair assessment and accessible materials
Assess the learner's understanding fairly while maintaining essential learning outcomes. Explain any adjustment that cannot be provided and consider a practical alternative. Report inaccessible links, forms or materials for correction. Do not require a person to describe private medical details in a public discussion.
23.4 Review and contact
Revised: 13 October 2026. Contact: Contact Us.
24.1 Permission, safeguarding and minimum ages
Applicants under 18 need parent or guardian involvement and individually agreed safeguarding arrangements before classes or community participation. Check the relevant service's minimum age; parental permission does not override a platform restriction.
24.2 Supervision and communication
The college should explain who supervises activities, how approved communication works, the handling of recordings and concerns, and whether the activity can be supported safely. Adults must not initiate secret contact, request intimate material or arrange undisclosed meetings with younger learners.
24.3 Identity, images and disclosures
Keep children’s identities, personal locations and sensitive information out of public posts. Obtain suitable permission for images and consider the child's wishes. A child should know how to raise a concern and should not be blamed or punished for disclosing harm.
24.4 Parents and organisational responsibilities
Parents or guardians should support safe internet use without being treated as a substitute for the organisation's safeguarding duties. Urgent risk must be referred to appropriate local services.
24.5 Review and contact
Revised: 13 October 2026. Contact: Contact Us.
25.1 Planning visits safely
Plan ministry visits with the person's consent and a suitable assessment of the setting, travel and vulnerability. Prefer a trusted companion, tell an appropriate person your plans and avoid unsafe or secret meetings. Under-18 activities require the college's agreed safeguarding and adult-supervision arrangements.
25.2 Consent, boundaries and competence
Respect boundaries, culture and confidentiality. Never pressure someone to disclose trauma, give money or take part in a spiritual practice. Physical contact requires appropriate consent. Do not undertake tasks beyond your role or competence.
25.3 Private reflections and media permission
When reporting your assignment, describe learning without revealing unnecessary personal details. Photographs, testimonies and recordings need separate appropriate permission. House-church leaders should establish safe meeting arrangements and report concerns promptly.
25.4 Unsafe situations and emergencies
If a visit becomes unsafe, leave or seek help. For emergencies contact local emergency services. Prayer and ministry support do not replace professional care or safeguarding referrals.
25.5 Review and contact
Revised: 13 October 2026. Contact: Contact Us.
26.1 Raising serious concerns
Staff, volunteers, learners and members may raise good-faith concerns about serious wrongdoing, abuse, financial misuse, unsafe practice or concealment. Report privately with factual details through Contact Us or an appropriate senior person.
26.2 Independent escalation
If the concern involves the usual recipient, use an independent senior person or the relevant external authority. Do not require an allegation against a leader to be considered only by that leader. Urgent safeguarding or suspected criminal matters may need direct referral.
26.3 Confidentiality and protection from retaliation
Limit disclosure to those who need to know, preserve appropriate records and protect people from retaliation for raising concerns in good faith. Do not promise absolute anonymity; explain when sharing is necessary for a fair investigation or protection. A disagreement or ordinary personal grievance normally follows the complaints procedure.
26.4 Confirmed reporting contacts
Each institution maintains its own independent escalation contact details. Please contact the relevant institution for its reporting arrangements.
26.5 Review and contact
Revised: 13 October 2026. Contact: Contact Us.
27.1 Access controls and secure handling
Use role-based access, secure accounts and proportionate safeguards for personal information. Access only what your responsibilities require. Avoid unnecessary local copies and do not send confidential records through public posts or unapproved channels.
27.2 Retention and secure disposal
Maintain a retention schedule stating the purpose, period, owner and disposal method for applications, learner records, safeguarding information and financial records. Some records need longer retention for lawful protection or accountability; never promise immediate deletion of every record.
27.3 Breach reporting and notification
Report suspected loss, misdirected messages, exposed records or compromised access immediately to the responsible administrator through Contact Us. Contain the incident, assess risks, keep a record and decide whether regulators or affected people must be informed. Where UK GDPR notification is required, the regulator must be notified without undue delay and, where feasible, within 72 hours of awareness.
27.4 Operational incident arrangements
This policy requires an operational incident plan and verification of actual access and provider arrangements; it does not certify that all controls are already in place.
27.5 Review and contact
Revised: 13 October 2026. Contact: Contact Us.
28.1 Service messages and optional communications
Use enquiry and application details to respond to the request and administer relevant services. Optional newsletters, publicity and fundraising communications need the applicable permissions and a clear choice. Do not make optional marketing consent a condition of a free course.
28.2 Unsubscribe and essential notices
Identify DiscipleM clearly in messages and provide a simple way to stop optional communications. Respect unsubscribe and contact-preference requests. Essential course or safety notices may still be needed where an appropriate lawful basis applies.
28.3 Group privacy and contact preferences
Do not add someone to a public group or expose their details to other recipients without appropriate permission. Use approved systems and avoid unnecessary disclosure through group emails or messaging. Contact Us to correct details or change preferences.
28.4 Urgent safety concerns
A contact-form acknowledgement does not mean an urgent safeguarding concern has been assessed; emergencies require appropriate local services.
28.5 Review and contact
Revised: 13 October 2026. Contact: Contact Us.