Church NDAs : Muzzling The Body

Why would a Church need a Non Disclosure Agreement (aka NDA)? What do the shepherds of God's flock have to hide? Well, you might be surprised to learn that a great number of churches (maybe even yours) keep their secrets stashed securely with threats of legal destruction against anyone that would air the church, the pastor, or the leadership's dirty laundry. Now not all NDA's are equal. Some protect the confessions and counseling sessions and the things heard in these safe spaces from becoming public knowledge. This is totally legitimate and helps to insure confidence in honesty within personal growth and counseling sessions. These are not the documents of which I speak. NDA's are in many cases FORCED on those being fired from the organization by withholding severance or pay that's owed to the person for leverage. This along with promises to keep the leadership's behind the scenes secrets during the hiring process are a giant red flag for corruption. These type of NDA's scream "WE'RE COVERING SOMETHING UP" as well as leading any honest thinking person to ask "Why would church leadership ever need to hide from the people?" This question was recently highlighted by prominent ex-pastor and YouTube shepherd Mike Winger on Wednesday (pictured above).

(Link to Mike's X poll)

Mr. Winger has been a staple in biblical learning online for many years. Those of us who absorb a lot of Christian content are familiar with him. I myself have enjoyed hundreds of his videos and studies over the last 2 years. Attacking the wolves dressed as sheep within the Church has become a content theme with increasing regularity on Mike's platform. This particular topic on NDA's caught my attention for one reason. I'm always looking for the red flags that can be identified to warn of what lies in the hearts of men and women BEFORE the dastardly deed in their stinking thinking becomes manifest. The idea of a restrictive NDA to get your severance pay is the type of thing you would normally hear of in a Corporate SA scandal or a multi-national chemical company covering up pollution. Not what normally comes to mind when we think of our pastors and elders. Ask the uncomfortable questions at your next board or budget meeting. If these type of muzzling NDA contracts are standard practice at your church, ask to read one, if they resist there may be cause for further investigation. We should not ignore the festering rot of corruption, abuse, theft, and extortion that take root in the darkness. The transparency that comes with the light of Jesus Christ demand better from organizations that attach themselves to His Holy Name.