Terms of Being a Gnomean Minister

Introduction
Welcome to the Church of Gnome! By submitting the membership and ordainment form, you are joining an inclusive and growing community of spiritual explorers, joy-seekers, and nature lovers.
Through this form, you will:

• Become a Gnomean Minister (spiritually recognized within the Church of Gnome).

• Officially become a member of the Church of Gnome community.

• Optionally, ordain your pet as a Minister of the Church (spiritually recognized within the Church of Gnome).

• Create an account on the Church of Gnome website, where you can connect with fellow members and ministers.

Please read these Terms carefully.
By joining the Church of Gnome, you agree to the following:
1. Membership and Ordainment Terms
Age Requirement
The Church of Gnome requires that you be 18 or older to become an official member or Gnomean Minister and to create an account.
We warmly welcome those under 18 to explore our public website, learn about the Gnomean Principles, live by our values, and consider themselves Gnomean friends of the community. When you turn 18, we look forward to welcoming you as a full member and minister!

Responsibilities of a Gnomean Minister
As a Gnomean Minister, you are encouraged to officiate significant life events (where legally permitted), uphold the values of our community, cherish all Gnomekind, abide by the Gnomean Principles, and adhere to the Doctrines.

Legal Considerations
The Church of Gnome is a legally established 501(c)(3) nonprofit religious organization in the USA. Laws regarding ordained ministers and online ordainments vary by country, state, and municipality. You are solely responsible for complying with local regulations, including any registration required for ceremonies like weddings.

We make no guarantees about the legal acceptance of your ordination for official duties in any jurisdiction. We recommend obtaining physical credentials (Ordination Certificate, Ordination Card, Letter of Good Standing) as proof, which may be required in some places.

Pet Ordainment
Pets can be ordained through the form. While adorable and spiritually recognized within the Church, your pet’s ordination is symbolic and not intended for official duties!

2. Community Conduct and Website Membership
By creating an account on the Church of Gnome website, you agree to:
Respectful Engagement
Treat others with respect, adhere to the Gnomean Principles, and promote personal growth, harmony, and kindness. We welcome all backgrounds; hate speech, discrimination, and harassment are not tolerated.

Content Responsibility
The Church moderates for safety but is not responsible for individual member content, which does not represent official Church views. Please report concerns promptly.

Forum and Online Group Usage
Use platforms in good faith, respecting privacy. Do not share others' content or personal information without permission. Moderators may remove content at their discretion.

User Content
By posting content on our platforms (e.g., groups, comments), you grant the Church of Gnome a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, display, moderate, and archive it for community purposes. You retain ownership of your content but confirm that it is your original work (or you have rights to share it) and does not infringe on others' rights.

3. Use of Church Name, Official Representation, and Local/Online Groups
We absolutely love seeing Gnomeans connect, build friendships, share meals, and create pockets of magic in their real lives. Your enthusiasm for gathering informally with kindness and joy is one of the most beautiful parts of this growing community, and we encourage it wholeheartedly.

That said, as the Church of Gnome continues to expand rapidly (now with ministers and members in over 100 countries/ territories), we've reached a point where clear boundaries are needed to protect everyone involved. Official local chapters or recognized groups require significant safeguards, including insurance, legal protections, vetting processes for leaders, and measures to ensure teachings align with our values and don't cause harm.

This isn't about distrust, it's about responsibility. Spiritual communities can sometimes attract individuals who misuse leadership roles, and we want to build structures that keep the Church of Gnome a safe, ethical sanctuary for generations to come. We're a young organization with a small team, laying a strong foundation slowly and carefully.

As a Gnomean Minister and member, you are a spiritual guide in your personal journey and may share your enthusiasm for the Church of Gnome individually.

However, you are not an official spokesperson, representative, or affiliate of the Church of Gnome.
You may not:

• Represent the Church in official capacities (e.g., signing contracts, entering agreements, or making public statements on behalf of the Church).

• Create, organize, or administer any group, page, event, gathering, or chapter (online or in-person) that uses the Church of Gnome name, logo, or branding in a way that implies it is official, endorsed, sponsored, or affiliated with the Church.

• Claim or imply that any local, regional, or online group is an "official" Church of Gnome chapter.
   

Currently, the Church of Gnome does not authorize or recognize any official local chapters, city/state groups, or affiliated online communities. The only official platforms are those listed on our website.

Please continue gathering informally with fellow Gnomeans, just without implying official Church status. We're working toward safe, supported ways for structured community in the future. Thank you for your patience and care in helping us grow responsibly.

4. Mailing Lists and Communication
By joining, you agree to receive communications related to the following:
Church of Gnome Updates: Stay informed on church activities, news, and community initiatives.
Gnomean Proverbs Mailing List: Receive our weekly Gnomean Proverbs for wisdom and humor.
Minister-Specific Updates: Important information and resources for ordained Gnomean Ministers.

---Note: when you become a website member, there are notifications that you may get based on your personal notification settings in your profile. These are notifications from the group, not from our mailing list. Adjust those settings in your profile.
Optional:
Kingdom of Gnome Updates:
If you opt into the Kingdom of Gnome, you’ll receive updates from the Kingdom of Gnomes and the Gnomean Elder’s personal email list at KingdomOfGnome.com and InquireWithinOfficial.com.
You can unsubscribe from each list individually at any time using the link provided in each email or text.

5. Liability and Legal Disclaimer
The Church of Gnome and its leaders are not responsible for the actions, decisions, or events organized by individual members or unofficial groups. This includes any informal or unauthorized gatherings, online groups, or use of the Church's name. The Church assumes no liability for issues arising from such activities.

Website content is provided "as is"; we strive for safety but cannot guarantee it fully.
Intellectual Property: Church materials (name, logo, teachings, etc.) are protected. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
Membership is a privilege and may be revoked at the sole discretion of Church leadership.
Changes to Terms: These terms may be updated at any time at our discretion. Major changes will be communicated, but it’s your responsibility to review them periodically.

6. Gnome Points Program
As a token of appreciation for our members, the Church of Gnome currently offers a Gnome Points rewards program. For every $10 spent on eligible purchases through our official website while logged into their account, members will receive 1 Gnome Point, which may be applied to future purchases.
Each Gnome Point currently holds a value equivalent to $1 USD in store credit.
Please note that Gnome Points have no cash value and are non-transferable. They may only be used for approved items through our official channels and cannot be redeemed for donations or applied retroactively to previous purchases.
The Gnome Points program is offered at the sole discretion of the Church of Gnome and is subject to change or discontinuation at any time without prior notice. We reserve the right to modify the earning rate, redemption value, eligible products, or any other aspect of the program, or to discontinue it entirely, as needed.
By participating in the Gnome Points program, you acknowledge and accept these terms and understand that Gnome Points are a goodwill offering, not a guaranteed benefit.

7. Contacting the Church
To contact us please utilize the "Contact" form on our website. By contacting us using that form it helps sort and organize the types of messages coming in. We have thousands of members joining each month and it is currently very difficult trying to manage all the messages and emails.
If you reach out by replying to one of our newsletters automated emails or by directly emailing us, there is a very good chance that email will be missed.

8. Product Subscriptions
If you subscribe to our "Missionary Gnome" Monthly Shipment and would like to cancel the subscription please utilize the "Contact" form and select the "Subscription Cancellation" option. Please provide the email you used to order the subscription and I will cancel it ASAP. Please send in your cancellation request a month prior to your next scheduled recurring payment. Our website was created using the platform WIX and I have found that they do not provide an easy infrastructure for customers to cancel their own subscriptions (which is crazy).

9. Closing and Call to Adventure
By submitting the form and joining our community, you are stepping into a world of curiosity, connection, and growth. Whether you're here to become a Gnomean Minister, ordain your pet, or simply explore the Church of Gnome, we welcome you with open arms and pointy hats.

May your journey be filled with joy, discovery, and gnome-like magic.
Welcome to the Church of Gnome!