Church Records

Key point. Church members generally have no right to inspect church records unless such a right is conferred by state nonprofit corporation law, a church's charter or bylaws, state securities law (if the church has issued securities), or a subpoena. Church records enjoy no privilege against disclosure, with the exception of documents that are protected by the clergy-penitent privilege under state law.

A Georgia court ruled that a church treasurer had a legal right to demand that a church's former pastor and former treasurer turn over the church's financial records.

A church removed its pastor and appointed a new church treasurer ("Andy"). When Andy tried to change the signature cards on the church's bank accounts, he discovered that the former pastor's niece and another church member had already attempted to withdraw the money and had succeeded in closing one ...