Q: Some churches post “prayer lists” on their website that describe the prayer needs of members. Needs may include medical diagnoses, relational, or financial problems. Does posting this information on a church website constitute an invasion of privacy?
A: Possibly. A church can reduce if not eliminate this risk by obtaining consent from people before putting their names on a list. This can be done either by contacting persons directly and obtaining their written consent to having their name (and need) posted on the website prayer list or by instructing members to include this written consent at the time the prayer request is submitted if they desire for it to be shared publicly online.
Some churches seek to avoid the inconvenience of obtaining the consent of every person on a prayer list by creating a “no prayer list” and notifying the congregation periodically (i.e., in church bulletins or newsletters) that persons who do not want the congregation to pray for them should contact the church office and have their names placed on the “no prayer list.” This “implied” consent is not as effective as the express consent obtained by contacting each person directly, and it is far from clear whether it would be deemed effective by a court.
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The Steward is our quarterly insight into current insurance concerns for churches. It is written specifically for our members by Insurance Board staff and industry experts.
