Enable and Review the Public Church Directory

The public directory allows a church to make approved directory information available through its BlessChurch website when the feature is enabled.

Important privacy warning

A public directory should never expose information simply because it exists in a member record. Before enabling this feature, review what information is eligible to appear and confirm that the church has appropriate permission to publish it.

1. Review the church’s privacy policy

Before publishing a directory, decide:

• Who may appear publicly
• What information may be displayed
• How members can request corrections
• How members can request removal
• Who is responsible for reviewing directory information

2. Review member records

Check the relevant member profiles before enabling the directory.

• Correct misspelled names.
• Remove outdated contact information.
• Do not place confidential notes in public-facing fields.
• Confirm that children and youth are handled according to church policy and applicable law.

3. Open Church Settings

1. Sign in to BlessChurch.
2. Select Settings.
3. Locate the public directory setting.
4. Review its current status before making changes.

4. Enable the public directory

Enable the directory only after the church has reviewed its records and privacy procedures.

1. Turn on the public directory option.
2. Save the Settings form.
3. Refresh the page and confirm that the setting remains enabled.

5. Review the public result

Open the public church website in a private browser window and inspect the directory as a visitor would see it.

Confirm that:

• Only intended records appear.
• No private notes or sensitive information are displayed.
• Names and public contact details are accurate.
• The layout works on desktop and mobile.
• Search and navigation work as expected.

If the directory shows zero members

An enabled directory does not necessarily mean every member record will be published.

Check the following:

• The public directory setting was saved.
• The church account contains member records.
• The relevant profiles meet the directory’s publishing requirements.
• You are viewing the correct church website.
• The page is not showing an older cached version.

6. Correct or remove information

If incorrect or unintended information appears, disable the directory temporarily or update the affected member record immediately.

After making changes, clear any active cache and review the public page again.

7. Disable the directory

Return to Settings, turn off the public directory option, and save. Then confirm from a signed-out browser that the directory is no longer publicly available.

Recommended information practices

• Publish the minimum information needed for the directory’s purpose.
• Use official church contact methods when possible.
• Avoid displaying full birth dates.
• Avoid publishing private addresses without explicit authorization.
• Do not publish pastoral, medical, financial, or family notes.
• Review directory information regularly.

Helpful tip

Test the directory with a small number of approved records before making it broadly available. Review it as a visitor, not only while signed in as an administrator.