Privacy Policy:

Our Ministry leaders respect the integrity and protect the welfare of individuals as well as the communities we serve. We take seriously our obligation to safeguard information entrusted to us as professional ministers. If there is a legitimate reason for the health and well-being of an individual or the community for us to divulge information that has been shared with us in confidence, we will actively seek permission for this disclosure from the person(s) providing us the information before doing so. We also recognize that it may occasionally be appropriate to disclose confidential information, e.g., if that information pertains to the immediate danger of bodily harm/loss of life or when applicable laws mandate reporting.

1. All child abuse or suspicion of child abuse must, by state law, be reported.

2. If the counselee has been involved in committing a crime we believe we need to report such to law enforcement.

3. If the counselee or any other individual is physically at risk (suicide threat or threat by someone else) and we learn of this in the counseling session, we will report such information to law enforcement.

4. On-going, non-repentant sin, whereby the church is obligated out of obedience to Jesus Christ, to practice the principles of confrontation, as set forth in Matthew

[Amended 12/13/2019]

As our “Base of Operation” Charter is in the State of Maryland, Online and Telephone Communications with one of our ministers and staff regardless of their physical location will abide by the Law of the State of Maryland.

If you have a concern about mandatory reporting laws and how they affect Clergy-Penitent Privilege, we strongly recommend consulting an attorney in advance to a confidential conversation with one of our ministers or counselors.

Maryland Annotated Code: § 9-111. Privileged communications

Minister, clergyman, or priest. A minister of the gospel, clergyman, or priest of an established church of any denomination may not be compelled to testify on any matter in relation to any confession or communication made to him in confidence by a person seeking his spiritual advice or consolation. [An. Code 1957, art. 35, § 13; 1973, 1st Sp. Sess., ch. 2, § 1.] —

Pennsylvania 42 Pa.C.S. § 5943

No clergyman, priest, rabbi or minister of the gospel of any regularly established church or religious organization, except clergymen or ministers, who are self-ordained or who are members of religious organizations in which members other than the leader thereof are deemed clergymen or ministers, who while in the course of his duties has acquired information from any person secretly and in confidence shall be compelled, or allowed without consent of such person, to disclose that information in any legal proceeding, trial or investigation before any government unit. —

Delaware Code Annotated Delaware Uniform Rules of Evidence. Article V. Privileges. Rule 505. Religious privilege.

(a) Definitions. As used in this rule: (1) A “clergyman” is a minister, priest, rabbi, accredited Christian Science practitioner or another similar functionary of a religious organization, or an individual reasonably believed so to be by the person consulting him. (2) A communication is “confidential” if made privately and not intended for further disclosure except to other persons present in furtherance of the purpose of the communication. (b) General rule of privilege. A person has a privilege to refuse to disclose and to prevent another from disclosing a confidential communication by the person to a clergyman in his professional character as a spiritual adviser. (c) Who may claim the privilege. The privilege may be claimed by the person, by his guardian or conservator, or by his personal representative if he is deceased. The clergyman may claim the privilege on behalf of the person. His authority so to do is presumed in the absence of evidence to the contrary.

Our Ministers are NOT Licensed Mental Health Practitioners.

Our Ministers are NOT Licensed Social Workers or Licensed Counselors (Unless Otherwise Credentialed in their Profile)

Our Ministers offer Christian Pastoral Education based on God’s word in the Holy Bible. Several of our services have a Counseling Requirement which will be outlined with the offered service. Examples would be Weddings, Baptism, and a few others.

Our Ministers charge for certain services based on their own fee schedule individually. Diakonos Independent Ministries of Maryland is incorporated as a religious organization in the State of Maryland and operates as a coordinating and host organization to support these ministers as well as the other kingdom-building services we offer.

Non-discrimination Policy

In keeping with DIMOM’s inclusive Christian tradition and its emphasis on the dignity and worth of all people, the congregation values and embraces diversity. Employment, membership, and participation in any church activity is open to all without regard to ethnicity, race, skin color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability or religion. We do not however perform same-sex marriage and refer you to our same-sex marriage policy.

Employment decisions are based on training, education, and experience related to the requirements of each position. Due to the age and construction of some of the churches, homes, venues, parks, and outdoor environments we utilize in the course of our services, worship, and outreach not all areas are easily accessible to persons with mobility issues. DIMOM will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities within these limitations.

Same-Sex Marriage Policy:

Our position on Same-Sex Marriage is that it is not biblically supported (See the book of Romans). We have researched this intently when developing our Statement of Faith when founding this ministry. We do not perform Same-Sex Marriage.

We do not however judge those who differ in our position on this matter.

We welcome all who have the interest to worship, learn, and fellowship with us. We will not judge a same-sex couple who has been joined under a different doctrine than we follow. A “Church” is not supposed to be a place of judgment, it is supposed to be a place of community, healing, understanding, and teaching. We are all sinners and fall short of the glory of Christ. If we recognize this and support each other regardless of our individual struggles with sin then we can be a stronger community of good.

We are not the judges, juries, or executioners. That’s Jesus’s department when the time comes. We are commanded to love everyone.

We recommend reading the Book of Romans in the Bible to understand our position on this topic.

Jesus Said,

⁴³ “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. ⁴⁴ But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! ⁴⁵ In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. ⁴⁶ If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. ⁴⁷ If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. ⁴⁸ But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5:43-48 (NLT)

³⁷ Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40 (NLT)

[Amended 3/4/2021]

501 (c) (3) Status Registration – is still in development – As a Religious organization, your tithes and donations are tax-deductible.

Diakonos Independent Ministries of Maryland takes great respect in the protection of your information. Our site is configured to use SSL security on all pages and features. If you find you are connecting to any portion of our site and services that are not SSL (https://), please notify us immediately by phone. Our donation and payment links are processed under SSL security and only a few select individuals of our staff are able to access this information in the course of their duties. We do not share or sell information to any organization unless it is required by law.

[Amended 12/3/2022]

Diakonos Independent Ministries of Maryland is not affiliated with any denominational organization or partnership of churches other than those partnerships directly fostered by Diakonos Independent Ministries of Maryland . Diakonos Independent Ministries of Maryland its missions, ministries, church plants, and projects are in no way affiliated with Hillsong International Ltd or its subsidiaries, or partners.