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TL;DR Phishing and fake news target churches because of their high-trust culture, but simple safeguards can protect staff and ministries. 1. Train everyone with real examples. 2. Require two-factor authentication. 3. Encourage a “when in doubt, ask” rule. 4. Post trusted links where staff can see them. 5. Run phishing simulations to build awareness. |
Every week, church inboxes receive emails that look trustworthy but aren’t. It might be a message from “your pastor” asking for help. Or a link to a breaking news story that seems urgent. Or a donation request that looks just like your church giving platform.
These messages are designed to trick you. And they’re getting more convincing.
Phishing and fake news campaigns are no longer broad-based attacks. They’re targeted. And ministries are becoming a frequent target because of one key factor: trust.
Why Churches Are at Risk
Churches operate in high-trust, low-tech environments. That’s part of what makes ministry so relational—and what makes your staff vulnerable.
- Most churches use volunteers for tech or admin work
- Email addresses are publicly listed on church websites
- Staff and congregants respond quickly to messages from “leadership”
- Digital tools are often shared without strong access controls
Scammers know this. They count on quick decisions, limited IT oversight, and a shared assumption of goodwill.
The Impact of a Single Click
According to IBM’s 2023 Cost of a Data Breach Report, human error is a leading cause of security incidents, with phishing responsible for over 16% of breaches. KnowBe4 reports that nonprofits have one of the highest phishing click rates among all sectors, with some church teams experiencing up to 34% failure rates in simulations.
A successful phishing attack can lead to:
- Unauthorized access to donor or staff data
- Public embarrassment for the church
- Rerouted online donations
- Reputational damage that breaks trust with members
This isn’t just a tech inconvenience. It’s a ministry threat.
Common Phishing and Fake News Traps in Ministry
Here are some examples of what phishing looks like in real church environments:
- “Quick favor?” emails from a pastor asking for gift cards or account logins
- Fake donation confirmation pages linked from spoofed URLs
- “Breaking news” social posts designed to drive clicks with emotionally charged headlines
- Emails with urgent password resets that mimic church platforms like Planning Center or PushPay
These tactics work because they play on urgency, authority, and confusion.
5 Quick Safeguards to Help Staff Spot Trouble
You don’t need complex tools to make a difference. Start here:
1. Train Everyone, Not Just the Tech Team
Run a short workshop or team meeting to explain what phishing looks like. Show real examples and talk through what to do when something looks off.
2. Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Enable 2FA on every platform that allows it. This adds an extra layer of security even if someone accidentally gives up their password.
3. Create a Simple Rule: When in Doubt, Ask
Make it a standard part of staff culture to check in with someone before clicking, replying, or sharing. It only takes a moment to forward a suspicious email to your internal tech lead or vendor.
4. Post a “Trusted Links” Sheet in Your Office and Slack
List the real URLs for giving platforms, livestream dashboards, internal tools, etc. When something looks close-but-off, having the real thing nearby makes a huge difference.
5. Use Phishing Simulations to Build Awareness
Partner with services like HigherGroundIT.com, which offers Phishing-as-a-Service. They send simulated attacks to staff and provide real-time feedback and training.
The Role of Discernment in a Digital Age
Pastors often talk about discernment in terms of spiritual growth. But digital discernment is now part of our pastoral responsibility. Helping your team think critically about links, emails, and news is part of equipping them to lead wisely in today’s world.
You can’t stop phishing from happening. But you can shrink its power.
By creating a culture of digital caution and awareness, your staff will pause before reacting, ask before clicking, and lead your congregation with confidence online.
If your church has experienced a phishing scam, we’d love to hear how you responded. Share your story in the comments or send us a note.
