I notice that the Workers Application form requires a Social Security number. Is it necessary for me to provide this information, and if so, how can I be sure that number will be kept secure?

We need to obtain the Social Security number for all workers because that number must be submitted in order to do a background check. In addition, the information we gather must be uniform. Our successors must be able to declare in a court of law two decades from now that we implemented a consistent policy showing due diligence, which includes obtaining the same information from everyone who participates in our work.

We suggest that workers submit their application in a sealed envelope directly to the pastor or his/her appointee. Pastors have been instructed to keep all documents with Social Security numbers in a locked file, with access granted only by him.