How we engage together is part of how we become healing presences. These guidelines explore what this looks like in practice. They matter to us, and we ask everyone in our community to hold to them when engaging in our spaces. They are not optional – we reserve the right to ask someone to leave if they are not respected. We hold to them so that our spaces stay safe and welcoming for all.
Being community. Empowering community
As the church embodies God’s love on earth, all Christians are called to be healers. We pour our energy into releasing Christian communities to be active in proclaiming the Good News – to welcome those who suffer, to pursue peace and justice, and to be places of individual and communal healing. Both public health and theology recognise the vital role Christian communities can play.
This is how GoHealth creates and shapes good community:
1. Our Christian Identity and Our Commitment to Welcome
As a Christian organisation, our work is shaped openly and unapologetically by the life and love of Jesus Christ. This is the well we draw from and the story that guides our vision of healing, justice and human flourishing.
At the same time, we are committed to being a genuinely inclusive organisation. We welcome people of all faiths and none, all backgrounds, and all identities. You do not need to share our beliefs to belong, learn, or contribute within our community.
We recognise that some may question how we hold together a clear Christian identity with an open and diverse welcome. For us, these are not competing commitments. Our faith calls us to create spaces marked by dignity, compassion and hospitality for everyone.
2. How We Journey Together
We believe communities flourish when everyone contributes. We encourage members to participate generously, share learning, support one another, and help create a culture of encouragement and collaboration.
We encourage members, collaborators and podcast guests to speak from their own experience and perspective. This helps create space for learning and reduces assumptions about the experiences of others.
Some people process by speaking, others by listening. In our trainings and community gatherings, we encourage everyone to be mindful of how much space they take up and to help ensure a range of voices can be heard.
We welcome thoughtful disagreement and recognise that people will hold different views. We ask members and people attending our events or trainings to challenge ideas respectfully, seek understanding before persuasion, and remember the dignity of those with whom they disagree.
3. Privacy, Wellbeing and Safeguarding
Please do not share screenshots, recordings, participant details, or content from private community spaces without permission.
While we seek to be a supportive community, we are not a counselling, therapy, crisis, or medical service. Where concerns arise about someone’s safety or wellbeing, our team may take appropriate action in accordance with our safeguarding policies.
If you experience behaviour that concerns you, or if you have questions about these guidelines, please contact The Revd Dr Gillian Straine (GoHealth CEO).
4. Our Boundaries
While we welcome questions, critique and honest disagreement, we do not accept hate speech, harassment or abusive behaviour towards anyone – whether directed at our Christian foundations or at any individual or group. We will always protect the safety and wellbeing of those who engage with us.
Our aim is to foster conversations that are respectful, thoughtful and generous, even when perspectives differ. This is part of how we seek to model healing and hope in the public square.
5. Our Online Spaces
Community Guidelines for Online Meetings
We want our online meetings to be welcoming, respectful, and safe spaces where everyone can participate and contribute. To help create that environment, we ask all participants to follow these simple guidelines.
- Confidentiality and Respect: Please treat personal stories, experiences, and discussions shared within the meeting as confidential unless you have explicit permission to share them elsewhere. We recognise that people may choose to share sensitive information, and we ask everyone to handle these contributions with care and respect.
- Listen to Understand: We encourage active listening. Seek first to understand rather than to respond. Different perspectives and experiences enrich our conversations, and everyone deserves to be heard without interruption or judgement.
- Respect and Inclusion: We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where every participant is valued. Please be courteous and considerate in your language and behaviour. Discrimination, harassment, or disrespectful conduct of any kind will not be tolerated.
- If Your Connection Drops: Technology does not always cooperate. If you lose your connection, simply rejoin the meeting using the original link when you are able. If you continue to experience difficulties, contact the meeting host if possible.
- Camera Etiquette: We encourage participants to keep their cameras on where possible, as this helps create connection and community. However, we recognise that circumstances vary, and there may be times when keeping your camera off is the best option. Please be mindful of your surroundings and minimise distractions where you can.
- Helping Create a Positive Space: Together we can create online gatherings that are welcoming, supportive, and meaningful. Thank you for helping us foster a culture of kindness, respect, and attentive participation.