One of the most important tasks of church officers and pastors is to visit the sick, take care of shut-ins, and meet with members who are in personal or public distress.

Deacons are called to a ministry of “sympathy, witness, and service after the example of Jesus Christ” (G-6.0401) and elders are urged to “visit and comfort and care for the people, with special attention to the poor, the sick, the lonely, and those who are oppressed” (G-6.0304). Most of us who have been in the church for any time, and have faced tough times, know how important this ministry of caring and prayer is. 

One question is often ignored, however: When we receive information about what is happening in the personal lives of our members, how much of it should be made public? We might ask a further question: Considering the importance of privacy laws in banking and financing, and particularly the necessary restrictions of HIPPA (U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996), we might ask: What role does the church play in ensuring the privacy of those who are served?  

For information in answering the second question, see http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacysummary.pdf, HIPPA was enacted to make sure that private health information is not indiscriminately released by physicians, hospitals, dentists, health insurers etc. In regard to churches, the law also protects people who are hospitalized from the onslaughts of religious groups that want to proselytize people who have enough to struggle with without being accosted by those who badger them with questions about salvation.

But the question goes beyond unwelcome evangelism. In our churches we take pastoral care very seriously and we want to know how church members who are ill are doing. It is not uncommon for pastors, elders, or deacons to be asked what is happening to people who are ill, what their condition is, when they will be coming home, etc. In many cases, members are disappointed and annoyed if the information is not up-to-date. As church officers we are expected to know these things.

In its commendable concern the church may unwittingly be violating the principles of HIPPA. If the pastors and church officers tell other members, the Board of Deacons, or the session about the health of people in the church are they really protecting their right to privacy? What about the use of names and conditions in morning prayers? Should we really pray for “John Jones who is suffering from cancer,” especially if we do not have John’s specific permission? The questions are compounded if we post the names of those who are ill or shut-in on our church Web pages, or allow them to be broadcast during radio or television programs or live stream services.

Although we all know how important prayer and pastoral care is for the physical and spiritual health of members who are in special need, it may be time for our sessions and boards of deacons to look carefully at their policies about sharing information to make sure that all aspects of our members’ lives are being ministered to and respected.

Earl S. Johnson Jr.  is the pastor of First Church in Johnstown, N.Y., and adjunct professor of religious studies at Siena College.

TrackBack URI for this entry

Your Responses (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed