In the right hands, this is useful and valuable information. In the wrong hands, it could destroy people and ministries. To protect the confidentiality of such records, they should be kept in locked filing cabinets and accessed only by authorized personnel. Rusty Taylor, business administrator for Frazer United Methodist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, says his church keeps all personnel and financial records as well as cash under double and triple lock. A limited number of people have access to the files.
Some information is needed to compile reports for staff members and the congregation.
People who prepare such reports should have the proven ability to keep quiet. When hard information is no longer needed, it should be properly disposed of. Dumping documents isn't the best way, since that might expose them to curious eyes. Shredding is better. Paper shredder costs vary.