Financial Information: Private Not Secret

Part of a Year-Long Special Series 

Generally about Privacy in Congregations

Unitarian Universalism is a covenantal denomination. We are not dogmatic; we gather, worship, run our organizations, and engage by agreement. It is not an anything-goes religion, despite how we are depicted (lovingly) on Prairie Home Companion. We agree to our Principles, the democratic process, and our behavior.

That supports our investment in handling challenging and personal topics. These include the range of topics related to gender & sexuality, to race, and to justice. It also includes deeply personal topics — like when we share information about our own chronic illness, family members being addicted to drugs, our gender identification changing, our divorce, etc. Although it is often challenging, we know how to share this type of information with each other, and how to hold and share that information in a pastoral and caring way. This is a part of our covenant, although it may not be articulated in a document.

In every congregation where I have provided consulting, we do the same with financial information. People are aware that this is sensitive and personal information and treat it as such. I have met a number of people in UU congregations who are extremely wealthy, and those living below the poverty line. In general, that information about them has been handled appropriately, so that was not seen as their primary identity, and the congregation could continue to be their spiritual home. As with many UU issues, this knowledge occasioned a lot of hand wringing and worries about honoring, celebrating, and equity – but we managed and remained intact.

Knowing Who has Access to Financial Information

Exact who knows how much individual people contribute and in what form is a concern in some congregations. I find it most in mid-sized congregations. In small congregations, there are too few people to hide much, even if formal systems are in place. In large congregations, there are so many people that there is an expectation of secure and formal systems to protect information.

In most cases, people are interested in financial information about congregant households in the aggregate. That is, what are the giving or pledging patterns in groups at the congregation, where the name information is separated from financial amounts. The whole Board or Council for instance might be interested in this type of information.

And generally there are a number of people in congregational roles that should have access to specific household giving, pledging, and pledge fulfillment amounts with the names attached. These roles should include the minister, administrator, treasurer, and stewardship team; because they all have actual need for that information, either because they are responsible for that area of congregational life, or can use it to improve stewardship in the congregation. I will not go here into why each of these roles needs access to this information. Yet I will say that if there is serious sensitivity about this topic in your congregation, I would recommend that the board decide which roles should be on that access list and make that list available to congregants who ask for it.

Securing Financial Information

Gratefully, congregations will not sell their contributor list – as many retailers and non-profits will. However, everyone should be concerned about the security of their personal information in every financial interaction we have. That is part of the modern world we live in.

This is usually the responsibility of the administration. Those folks keep databases with personal financial information in them, manage the security of online giving, and manage the process of collections on Sundays and any payments during fundraisers. There are others, like the treasurer, finance committee, audit committee, and endowment committee who may have part of that responsibility. Our congregations are much more transparent than other organizations, so if you have a question about that security or those processes, just ask. When you find the person who runs it, ask and you will get an answer – just be aware, that this is a great opportunity to ask you to volunteer in that area!

Congregational Covenant

Many congregations have a formal covenant, affirmed by the leadership and congregation, which may explicitly or implicitly address financial privacy. In most cases, that will suffice to make it clear what to expect and reassure people. If it does not, or the congregation is looking for more, you might consider a covenant for the stewardship team. Here is a sample from the good folks at Cedar Lane UU Church, who gave me permission to post it.

Seeking Justice: Coming Out About Money

I am often struck in UU congregations that we can talk about sex, race, and spiritual beliefs; three “third rail” topics in American culture. Yet we still have real trouble talking about our personal finances. I believe that conversation should be part of our spiritual and justice work, if we are going to create the changes in this world we are hoping for. We need to learn how to have this conversation with each other, and practice it.

In your congregation, would you be comfortable to share that you had a huge financial windfall? Or that you are deeply in debt and just lost your job? Yes stewardship is first and foremost a pastoral concern. Let’s show up as our full selves, and not let concerns around our privacy related to money keep us from connecting deeply.

Mark Ewert is a stewardship consultant with the Stewardship For Us team. Mark can be reached at mewert@stewardshipforus.com, via the UUA’s Congregational Stewardship Network, (http://www.uua.org/finance/fundraising/index.shtml), or through your regional staff.

This blog has a new posting no less than once a month. You may find it and more at our website, www.stewardshipforus.com. You are welcome to sign up for stewardship updates at the blog. Comments and discussion are always welcome; share your experiences with us.