A Sacred Trust
A couple of months ago I participated in an ethics workshop for all clergy of the Iowa Annual Conference. The keynote presenter was Dr. Karen McClintock, psychologist and congregational consultant. She is the author of Healthy Disclosure: Solving Communication Quandaries in Congregations.
McClintock emphasized that pastors and congregational leaders are information trustees, having a sacred trust with information. That is, we are entrusted with intimate details and stories from the lives of parishioners and we must act in a trustworthy manner with this information.
There are several levels of information disclosure: Private (information known by only one person); Confidential (information released to a second person, usually with the assurance that it will not be shared with anyone else without permission); Limited Access (information known by three or more people but protected from further distribution); Open (information shared openly within the congregation yet not released to the public); and Public (information easily accessible and widespread).
The distinction between confidential and limited access was helpful to me. Much of what we have called “confidential” information is actually “limited access.” If you share something with me as your pastor, it is confidential information between just the two of us. If the Leadership Board discusses information, for example, about a staff person, it may be limited access information that is known beyond two people but is to be kept limited to the Leadership Board and no further.
What we know about people must be handled carefully. Therefore, it is always important to have permission if you are going to share another’s information. This is true not only for me as the pastor but for everyone in the church.
McClintock acknowledged that a congregation’s prayer time is one of many ways that private information becomes public. When we pray we share things about people and sometimes it’s not appropriate. I hope I haven’t shared anything publicly that should not have been, but I have been reminded to be careful about this and I ask you to be careful too. You can share your own information but not other’s information without permission.
If you lift someone up in prayer silently, of course, it’s not a problem. If you lift up a name aloud, however, be sure that you have permission to do so and especially if you’re sharing any information. The reality is it’s better to not share specific information aloud. If you do it needs to be vague, such as a first name only or something like “I’m praying for a friend/family member/co-worker struggling with…” The Lord knows who and what we are talking about.
Sometimes congregation have to deal with rumors (that contain some untruth) and gossip (that contain some truth but usually negative). There are many verses in scripture that address this (e.g. Exodus 23:1; Proverbs 11:13; Psalm 34:13; Ephesians 4:29; 1 Timothy 5:13). In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word translated “gossip” is defined as “one who reveals secrets.” Gossip is sharing privileged information that others have no business knowing.
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are all responsible to stop gossip/rumors by questioning its authenticity. Ask, “How do you know that?” Indicate it puts the person in a negative light. If you’re able, provide accurate information and add, “I don’t participate in the spreading of rumors/gossip, and I don’t want you to do that either.” Speaking the truth in love means saying, “I love you, but your behavior has to change.” Or, “Let’s lift people up, not tear them down.” Or even, “You’re a child of God, why do you behave this way?”
We can only share the things we have permission to share, otherwise we’re violating a sacred trust. It’s always helpful to ask: Is this information private or secret? Is it yours to share? Do you have permission to share it? What are the consequences of sharing that information?
McClintock emphasized that pastors and congregational leaders are information trustees, having a sacred trust with information. That is, we are entrusted with intimate details and stories from the lives of parishioners and we must act in a trustworthy manner with this information.
There are several levels of information disclosure: Private (information known by only one person); Confidential (information released to a second person, usually with the assurance that it will not be shared with anyone else without permission); Limited Access (information known by three or more people but protected from further distribution); Open (information shared openly within the congregation yet not released to the public); and Public (information easily accessible and widespread).
The distinction between confidential and limited access was helpful to me. Much of what we have called “confidential” information is actually “limited access.” If you share something with me as your pastor, it is confidential information between just the two of us. If the Leadership Board discusses information, for example, about a staff person, it may be limited access information that is known beyond two people but is to be kept limited to the Leadership Board and no further.
What we know about people must be handled carefully. Therefore, it is always important to have permission if you are going to share another’s information. This is true not only for me as the pastor but for everyone in the church.
McClintock acknowledged that a congregation’s prayer time is one of many ways that private information becomes public. When we pray we share things about people and sometimes it’s not appropriate. I hope I haven’t shared anything publicly that should not have been, but I have been reminded to be careful about this and I ask you to be careful too. You can share your own information but not other’s information without permission.
If you lift someone up in prayer silently, of course, it’s not a problem. If you lift up a name aloud, however, be sure that you have permission to do so and especially if you’re sharing any information. The reality is it’s better to not share specific information aloud. If you do it needs to be vague, such as a first name only or something like “I’m praying for a friend/family member/co-worker struggling with…” The Lord knows who and what we are talking about.
Sometimes congregation have to deal with rumors (that contain some untruth) and gossip (that contain some truth but usually negative). There are many verses in scripture that address this (e.g. Exodus 23:1; Proverbs 11:13; Psalm 34:13; Ephesians 4:29; 1 Timothy 5:13). In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word translated “gossip” is defined as “one who reveals secrets.” Gossip is sharing privileged information that others have no business knowing.
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are all responsible to stop gossip/rumors by questioning its authenticity. Ask, “How do you know that?” Indicate it puts the person in a negative light. If you’re able, provide accurate information and add, “I don’t participate in the spreading of rumors/gossip, and I don’t want you to do that either.” Speaking the truth in love means saying, “I love you, but your behavior has to change.” Or, “Let’s lift people up, not tear them down.” Or even, “You’re a child of God, why do you behave this way?”
We can only share the things we have permission to share, otherwise we’re violating a sacred trust. It’s always helpful to ask: Is this information private or secret? Is it yours to share? Do you have permission to share it? What are the consequences of sharing that information?
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