A Question of Ethics

Not only is leadership about principles, techniques, and tools, but also in many ways is a formational arena for issues of ethics. Possibly the most prominent of ethical questions we will each have to wrestle with concerning our leadership in or with a church is the issue of information. To what extent does our role as leader privilege us to otherwise private information? Can leaders abuse access to information? Should particular information be kept private in order to safeguard, protect, inhibit, or check a leader? Perhaps this important question is no more visible within church leadership than in the issue of religious giving. Whether it be regular tithing records, church pledges, capital campaigns, or special giving, the information concerning the moneys given to the church can be a difficult path to navigate. To what extent does your role as pastor, staff, or leader within the church privilege you to this information? When should this access be granted? Under what circumstances? With what safeguards, limitations, or accountability? For some this issue is a no brainer. Never, or always. And each individual leader as well as congregation has ample evidence to cite. Guard against favoritism or bolster evidence for the need of discipleship? Protect the privacy of the individual or hold the community accountable? These are significant questions that will need to be answered as a part of your leadership. Ultimately, the decision will have to be made cooperatively between staff and church. And yet, the ethical question remains. What does the title of leader truly mean in relationship to access?