Navigating NDAs: A Panel Discussion for Clergy, Congregations, and Denominations
Tuesday, September 12
1:00pm CST/2:00pm EST
Suggested donation: $10
Hosted by The Clergy Emergency League and The Wisconsin Council of Churches
Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are being used by some churches to silence clergy, victims of racism, sexual abuse, misogyny, and homophobia, and even entire congregations around issues such as misconduct. Sometimes called “confidentiality agreements,” NDAs have been used in churches in the United States and abroad in harmful ways. In fact, the Archbishop of Canterbury recently called for a ban on NDAs in the Church of England because they have been used as a tool to silence victims of racial abuse.
In this panel discussion, we will talk with clergy who have fought against NDAs, and we will hear from Ben Nicholson, co-founder of #NDAfree, a campaign with a vision to see individuals, Christian organizations, and local churches free from the misuse of Non-Disclosure Agreements.
We will cover the following topics:
- What is an NDA? What are its origins?
- What are appropriate – and inappropriate – uses of an NDA in the church?
- What should a pastor do if they are being asked to sign a non-disclosure, non-disparagement, or confidentiality agreement?
- What should denominational leaders do to end the use of NDAs?
- How can we support our colleagues who have been pressured into silence?
Co-moderators:
The Rev. Dr. Leah D. Schade
The Rev. Pamela Griffith Pond
