• Skip to Content
  • Skip to Main Navigation
  • Skip to Search

IUPUI IUPUI IUPUI

Open Search Menu

Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

  • Home
  • About
    • Founding of the School
    • History
    • Message from the Dean
    • International
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Partnerships
    • Annual Reports
    • Strategic Plan
    • University Hall
  • Admissions
    • How to Apply
    • Financial Aid & Scholarships
    • Student Referrals
    • Plan a Visit
  • Academics
    • B.A. in Philanthropic Studies
    • M.A. in Philanthropic Studies
    • Graduate Certificates
    • Ph.D. in Philanthropic Studies
    • Dual Degree Programs
    • Certificates & Minors
    • Accelerated B.A./M.A. Program
    • Virtual Commencement 2020
    • Internships
    • Careers
    • Meet our Faculty
    • Philanthropic Studies Library
    • Study Abroad
    • Alumni and Student Map
  • Professional Development
    • About The Fund Raising School
    • TFRS at Your Desk
    • Courses & Seminars
    • Customized Training
    • Certificates
    • Scholarships
    • Mobile App
    • Webinars
    • Podcast
  • Research
    • COVID-19 Tracking
    • Current Research Projects
    • Contract Research
    • 8 Myths of Philanthropy
    • Generosity for Life
    • Global Philanthropy Indices
    • Million Dollar List
    • Partnerships
    • Faculty Research & Publications
    • Lilly Family Faculty & Student Grants
    • Research Archive
  • Institutes
    • Lake Institute on Faith & Giving
    • Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy
    • Women’s Philanthropy Institute
  • News & Events
    • Philanthropy and COVID-19
    • News
    • Blog
    • Events
    • Philanthropy Matters
    • Insights Newsletter
    • Philanthropy Research Workshop
  • Giving
    • Make a Gift
    • Areas to Support
    • Giving Societies
    • Class Gift
    • Donor Bill of Rights
  • Search
  • Directory
  • Contact
  • Alumni
  • Philanthropy and COVID-19
  • News
  • Blog
  • Events
  • Philanthropy Matters
  • Insights Newsletter
    • 2021 Issues
    • 2020 Issues
    • 2019 Issues
    • 2018 Issues
    • 2017 Issues
    • 2016 Issues
  • Philanthropy Research Workshop
  • Home
  • News & Events
  • Insights Newsletter
  • 2019 Issues
  • The More You Know

The More You Know

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Meredith McNabb

by Meredith McNabb, Associate Director of Educational Programming

One of the findings from the National Study of Congregations’ Economic Practices (NSCEP) that has especially captured the attention of congregational leaders is the relatively small percentage of clergy who have access to—and who actually look at—individual giving records within their congregations. 

The NSCEP found that only 55% of US congregations report that their head clergyperson has access to the giving records. Of those congregations, only 58% of the clergy who have access actually look at those records. Roughly speaking, just one in three head clergy leaders can and do have data about their congregation members’ giving records! However, the congregations in which head clergy do look at giving records were more likely to have had an increase in giving over the past three years (58% of these congregations had an increase in giving, compared to 48% of congregations overall—and 42% of these congregations reported a significant increase in contributions over the past three years: 10% or more).

Correlation does not equal causation, and opening up giving records to the lead clergyperson tomorrow is very unlikely to be the cure for a budget deficit before the end of the year—but the connection between “knowing” and a greater likelihood of stronger financial giving does raise important questions. Why are both congregations and clergy reluctant to allow giving records to be part of what clergy know about their congregational members?

The most common reasons that clergy gave for not looking at the records, even when they had access, were concerns about a temptation to treat individuals differently based on giving levels, or to have giving levels influence decisions within the congregation. Anecdotally, congregational assertions that financial giving is so private as to be exclusively “between the giver and God” (although presumably the IRS is often also permitted in that inner circle for tax deduction purposes), and fundamental issues of trust in the clergy leader (whether specific to the individual or toward clergy in general) seem to be some of the primary reasons why access to the records often isn’t granted in the first place. 

As many have noted, giving records are just one part of the constellation of personal information that clergy leaders are expected to handle with professional discretion and spiritual care. From such mundane matters of faith as how often an individual attends worship, to such sensitive matters as substance abuse, family struggles, and even moral failures, clergy know a great deal about the people in their care. While there are occasional clergy who themselves fail to carry that sensitive knowledge with the discretion and spiritual maturity required of faith leaders, those are the exceptions—and such concerns should be addressed far more directly than with secrecy around giving records. With only money being singled out in many congregations for such secret, hands-off treatment on the part of either congregation or clergy, the logical explanation is the cultural taboo around money.

“Money is different”, we hear people say. A seminary professor of mine memorably observed that while sermons about racial reconciliation, environmental stewardship, and peace might draw strong responses from parishioners, it was sermons about economic practices that were likeliest to get a preacher run out of town. 

Psychologist Dr. Richard Trachtman notes the strength of the money taboo in the United States:

“We Americans may complain about taxes, discuss the prospects of Social Security, and brag about the great bargains we found or the killings we made in the stock market, but we seldom discuss our incomes, our indebtedness, or, more generally, how we feel and think about money and how we relate to others because of it. … This taboo keeps people from finding money’s proper place in their lives. It keeps them from balancing their financial needs with other needs, such as love, family, self-expression, self-esteem, meaningful work, and physical or emotional health. If people can recognize and overcome their irrational or destructive money-related beliefs and behaviors, money can become a valuable, life-enhancing force for them—a tool with which they can shape their lives, rather than a cage in which they are confined.”1  

Congregational expectations and clergy members’ own reconciliation with the money taboo will have an impact on how any conversation about access to the giving records develops. As Chick Lane and Grace Duddy Pomroy observe, “Societal taboos about money are probably not something pastors and congregational leaders can undo…”, but we can be patient with an out-of-proportion reaction to money-talk that’s more about the taboo than about the leader.2 But as spiritual and organizational leaders, clergy would do well to explore their congregations’ or their own reticence to think or talk about money. Transparency, spiritual grounding, courage, and patience on the part of leaders around breaking down the power of the money taboo can change the whole culture of the congregation. Even a small degree of freedom from the money taboo can significantly increase the good that money can do, in both individual and organizational life.


1Trachtman, Richard. “The Money Taboo: its Effects in Everyday Life and in the Practice of Psychotherapy” Clinical Social Work Journal, Vol. 27, No. 3, Fall 1999. 

2Lane, Charles R. and Grace Duddy Pomroy, Embracing Stewardship (2016).

Questions for Reflection

  • If you are a clergyperson, do you have access to individual financial records? If so, do you review those records? If not, why?
  • As a donor, how do you feel about head of staff knowing your giving records?

Expanded Perspective

by Anne Brock, Program Manager


According to Dr. Brené Brown, shame is the fear of disconnection, of being unworthy of love and belonging. Shame is “I am a bad person for not saving enough money.” Shame is “I am unworthy of love because I live paycheck to paycheck.” Shame is “I won’t be welcome here once they find out how I spend my money.”

Anne Brock

Although it may not be spoken aloud, I suspect there are people in every congregation in the U.S. who have felt unworthy of belonging because of their financial circumstances. Perhaps some of those people include the congregational leaders.

If a leader has massive amounts of educational debt and struggles to pay her monthly bills, do you think she’s likely to preach about money on a regular basis? If a leader is insecure about his charitable giving, do you think he will talk to his congregation about their charitable giving? The answer to both of these questions is probably not.

Shame needs silence and secrecy to survive. When clergy take the time to explore the role of money in their own lives, when they can talk about it openly and appropriately, shame begins to fade away. This is called vulnerability and it is where connections are made. In order to lead congregations toward vulnerable conversations around money, leaders must first do the work themselves. And that’s not easy. It requires removing the masks we’ve used for most of our lives to protect ourselves from pain.

Numbing is one mask, and unfortunately it is not uncommon for people to numb with money. We buy clothes we can’t afford in order to feel like we belong. We buy bigger houses to feel worthy. If a clergyperson hasn’t acknowledged this numbing mask in her life, how can she be expected to help others recognize it in their own lives? In this case it’s the opposite of the flight attendant’s command: remove your own mask first!

Giving the head clergyperson the ability and permission to see giving records, allows for opportunities to have open, trust-filled conversations about why a pledge went down or increased out of the blue. Because the leader has done his own work, he is able to approach the conversation with empathy – sitting with, not fixing. Now healing and growth are possible and shame begins to diminish.

If you’re interested in exploring this further, there are a few spots open for our day of renewal for Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising alumni in Indianapolis. You can learn more about the event here. If you aren’t local, I highly recommend checking out the writing of Brené Brown and her work around shame.

Embracing Stewardship

by Charles L. Lane and Grace Duddy Pomroy

Embracing Stewardship will help you strengthen your congregation’s stewardship ministry. Mindful of generational perspectives and attuned to the world in which congregations live, this book provides eight pathways your congregation can follow to deepen your members’ understanding of themselves as stewards of the bounty of God.

Learn more

Embracing Stewardship Book Cover

2020 ECRF Registrations Open

Many of our 2020 Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising courses are now open for registration. In March we'll be hosting in our hometown Indianapolis once again. We have a new partner with Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Shawnee, KS. McCormick Theological Seminary and Saint Meinrad Seminary are back in 2020, as well as Luther Seminary. We look forward to seeing you next year!

Register today

Group from McCormick ECRF, 2018

Lilly Family School of Philanthropy social media channels

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Indiana University

Copyright © 2021 The Trustees of Indiana University

Accessibility | Privacy Notice

  • About
    • Founding of the School
    • History
    • Message from the Dean
    • International
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Partnerships
    • Annual Reports
    • Strategic Plan
    • University Hall
  • Admissions
    • How to Apply
      • B.A. in Philanthropic Studies
      • M.A. in Philanthropic Studies
      • Graduate Certificates
      • Ph.D. in Philanthropic Studies
    • Financial Aid & Scholarships
      • B.A. Scholarships
      • M.A. Scholarships
      • Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships
        • Women's Philanthropy Institute Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship
      • AmeriCorps Alums
    • Student Referrals
    • Plan a Visit
  • Academics
    • B.A. in Philanthropic Studies
      • Winter Session Courses
      • Fall 2020 Courses
      • Capstone ePortfolio Showcase
      • Honors Program
      • Undergraduate Certificate in Philanthropic Fundraising
      • B.A. Student Profiles
      • Celebrity Philanthropy course
    • M.A. in Philanthropic Studies
      • Winter Session Courses
      • Enrollment and Placement Data
      • M.A. Program Testimonials
    • Graduate Certificates
    • Ph.D. in Philanthropic Studies
      • Doctoral Minor in Philanthropic Studies
      • Enrollment and Placement Data
      • Dissertations
      • Ph.D. students
    • Dual Degree Programs
    • Certificates & Minors
    • Accelerated B.A./M.A. Program
    • Virtual Commencement 2020
    • Internships
    • Careers
      • The Patterson Foundation Fellows Program
      • Career & Leadership Preparedness
    • Meet our Faculty
    • Philanthropic Studies Library
    • Study Abroad
    • Alumni and Student Map
  • Professional Development
    • About The Fund Raising School
      • Our Faculty
      • Alumni Stories
    • TFRS at Your Desk
    • Courses & Seminars
      • Course Locations
      • Offered by The Fund Raising School
      • Leadership Roundtable
      • How to Register
    • Customized Training
      • Fundraising for Deans
    • Certificates
      • Fund Raising Management
      • Fund Raising Leadership
      • Nonprofit Executive Leadership
      • Current Affairs Fundraising Series
      • Accreditation
    • Scholarships
      • Dottie Rosso Scholarship
      • Hank Rosso Scholarship
      • Crisis Response Scholarship
    • Mobile App
    • Webinars
      • Archive
      • Fridays with The Fund Raising School
    • Podcast
  • Research
    • COVID-19 Tracking
      • Community Foundations and United Ways
    • Current Research Projects
    • Contract Research
    • 8 Myths of Philanthropy
    • Generosity for Life
    • Global Philanthropy Indices
    • Million Dollar List
    • Partnerships
    • Faculty Research & Publications
      • Books
    • Lilly Family Faculty & Student Grants
    • Research Archive
  • Institutes
    • Lake Institute on Faith & Giving
      • COVID-19 Congregational Study
      • COVID-19 Resources
      • Courses & Seminars
        • Cultivating Generous Congregations
        • Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising
      • Annual Programs
      • Grants & Scholarships
      • Recommended Faith & Giving Resources
      • Board of Advisors
      • Muslim Philanthropy Initiative
        • Programs
          • Community Collaboration Initiative
          • Zakat Foundation Institute Fellowship
        • Council of Advisors
        • Staff
        • News
        • Symposiums
    • Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy
      • About
      • Events
      • Resources
    • Women’s Philanthropy Institute
      • Research
      • Newest Report
      • Complete Research Library
      • Infographics & Visuals
      • Philanthropy Plugged In
      • Newsroom
        • Press Releases
        • Media Coverage
        • Writing and Musings
      • About
      • Council
  • News & Events
    • Philanthropy and COVID-19
    • News
    • Blog
    • Events
      • Perspectives on Philanthropy Discussion Series
    • Philanthropy Matters
      • 2020 Issues
      • 2019 Issues
      • 2021 Issues
    • Insights Newsletter
      • 2021 Issues
      • 2020 Issues
      • 2019 Issues
      • 2018 Issues
      • 2017 Issues
      • 2016 Issues
    • Philanthropy Research Workshop
      • Fall 2020
      • Spring 2020
  • Giving
    • Make a Gift
    • Areas to Support
    • Giving Societies
    • Class Gift
    • Donor Bill of Rights
  • Directory
  • Contact
  • Alumni
    • Alumni Board
    • Contact Info
    • Distinguished Alumni
    • Get Involved
    • Share Your Success