Is Your Ministry as Safe as It Could Be?

Have you thought through potential dangers that may confront your ministry? Taking steps to consider and address these risks provides important protection from injuries, lawsuits, fires, and dozens of other hazards that may affect your ministry, especially your employees and those you serve.

Here are some ideas to help you develop a risk management plan for your church or ministry:

  • Choose good people. Create one or more committees of people who understand and value risk management. If possible, choose professionals involved in your ministry to help in specific areas; e.g., an accountant for financial issues and a building contractor to evaluate facility risks.
  • Take small steps. Break the process into several steps. Focus on the areas most central to your ministry, such as your children’s ministry or sports program.
  • Identify hazards. Consider any risk that can cause injury, illness, death, loss, or damage to equipment or property. Such risks range from weather and medical emergencies to child sexual assault and counseling liabilities. Identify risks specific to your ministry.

Develop the Plan

Once you have finished preparations, you’re ready to begin work on your risk management plan.

  • Assess the risks. Estimate the probability and severity of each potential risk. Think in terms of worst-case possibilities to get a credible measure of how severe a risk could become. With the results, you will have a useful tool for identifying which risks you should give closest attention.
  • Analyze risk control measures. Identify specific strategies and tools that reduce or eliminate risks. There’s a range of options, from deciding not to take a risk at all to finding ways to reduce, accept, or transfer the risk. Consult with your church’s attorney for assistance.
  • Make risk control decisions. Once you have chosen a strategy, determine the level of risk remaining. Do you think the remaining risk is acceptable? Should you modify the plan to develop measures to better control the risk?
  • Implement risk controls. Document your plan fully and implement it with appropriate resources. Communicate the plan to church or ministry employees, volunteers, and others involved in your ministry.
  • Supervise and review. Make sure everyone follows your plan. Review the plan periodically. Seek feedback from people involved in all aspects of the plan, and use their comments to modify it as needed.

With these suggestions, you should be able to create a risk management plan for your church or ministry that can help you keep everyone, from infants to the elderly, safe.

May 17, 2023
2022 Kingdom Builder Award: Tim Roddy Makes a Difference One Conversation at a Time
2022 Kingdom Builder Award: Tim Roddy Makes a Difference One Conversation at a Time

For Timothy Roddy, sales executive at Bitner Henry Insurance Group, building the Kingdom is as much a part of his life as breathing oxygen or eating breakfast. It isn’t a switch he turns on and off, but a habit embedded in his daily routines—both in his career and in his personal activities.

Tags: kingdom builder, award, 2022
July 22, 2021
Thousands in Relief Funding Available to Ministries Through the Employee Retention Credit
Thousands in Relief Funding Available to Ministries Through the Employee Retention Credit

Most ministry leaders don’t realize there is funding available to non-profit employers including churches, schools, colleges, and camps. This post includes some highlights about the credit and guidance on where to start to see if your ministry is eligible.

Tags: ERC, payroll, tax credit
April 28, 2021
Take Time to Review Your Ministry's Child Protection Plan
Take Time to Review Your Ministry's Child Protection Plan

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Though child abuse may not be something you could ever imagine happening within your ministry, sexual abuse of a minor is one of the top five reasons churches end up in court, according to Church Law & Tax. Studies also show that a child is much more likely to be sexually abused by a trusted adult than a stranger.

Tags: child protection, abuse prevention, child safety
February 25, 2021
Catalytic Converter Theft on the Rise: Protect Ministry Vehicles
Catalytic Converter Theft on the Rise: Protect Ministry Vehicles

Did you know that the precious metal Rhodium is more than 10 times more valuable than gold?  It has increased from $650 an ounce in 2015 to $22,000 an ounce in 2021.

Tags: protect, theft, vehicle
February 5, 2021
Avoid Frozen Pipes as Temperatures Plummet
Avoid Frozen Pipes as Temperatures Plummet

As temperatures plummet, the risk of freezing pipes soars. Frozen pipes can cause costly messes that could also put your ministry on hold while you clean up.

Tags: frozen, building, pipes, prevent damage
November 23, 2020
COVID-19 and the Christmas Season
COVID-19 and the Christmas Season

Preparing for this Christmas season may require additional creativity, due to the uncertainty of what COVID-19 may bring in our local community.

Tags: COVID-19, health, health safety, protect, coronavirus, Christmas, risk management
October 28, 2020
Guidance for Ministries About Boy Scouts' Bankruptcy
Guidance for Ministries About Boy Scouts' Bankruptcy

A mid-November deadline in the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) bankruptcy proceedings may have you wondering what the organization’s bankruptcy filing means for your ministry if you ever hosted or chartered Boy Scout Troops.

Tags: coverage, protect, liability, damages, youth
October 1, 2020
Applying for PPP Loan Forgiveness
Applying for PPP Loan Forgiveness

Organizations that obtained Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding through the CARES Act can have their loans forgiven, turning them into grants. To qualify, each borrower must file a forgiveness application with its PPP lender, proving that it followed the rules. If your church, school, college, or camp meets all the criteria, 100% of its loan can be forgiven.

September 29, 2020
Meet our Minnesota Team!
Meet our Minnesota Team!

Please allow us to introduce our team at American Church Group of Minnesota! We have three ministry insurance agents in the state. Here’s a little bit of information about each of them.

Tags: damages, insurance, claims
July 21, 2020
Tips for Beating the Summer Heat
Tips for Beating the Summer Heat

Not only can summer heat be uncomfortable, but it can also pose a threat to your health. The heat can be especially dangerous for the elderly and for infants. Regardless of your age, don’t let the summer heat get the best of you!

Tags: church payroll, finance, IRS regulations, paying employees, tax code
March 30, 2020
CARES Act: Churches Need to Apply Now
UPDATED: CARES Act: Churches Need to Apply Now

Learn about the CARES Act and two loans for which ministries may be eligible, since Congress authorized additional funding April 23. 

March 6, 2020
Coronavirus and Your Ministry: Tips for Prevention
Coronavirus and Your Ministry: Tips for Prevention

As concern over the dangers associated with the spread of a new coronavirus, COVID-19, spreads, our agency and Brotherhood Mutual want to keep you informed and provide best practices for managing the spread of this and similar illnesses at your ministry.

January 29, 2020
Hosting a Game Day Bash? Brush Up on Copyright Basics
Hosting a Game Day Bash? Brush Up on Copyright Basics

The first Sunday in February is a big day for sports fans. In fact, many Americans view Super Bowl Sunday as a national holiday. Friends and families will gather this year to watch the big game, enjoy delicious snacks, and of course, critique the commercials that go along with game day.

Are You Covered If You're Injured Overseas?
Are You Covered If You're Injured Overseas?

Recently, we learned about two major overseas incidents involving pastors on mission trips. The first incident involved a pastor being hit by a motorcycle while running. The second was a bus accident involving two pastors. The runner and one of the two bus passengers sustained extensive injuries.

Tags: missions, insurance
IRS Announces More Church Audits Regarding ACA Compliance
IRS Announces More Church Audits Regarding ACA Compliance

Last month, the IRS announced that its initiating hundreds of church exams to test compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). While many provisions only apply to churches with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees (FTEs), even smaller churches could potentially violate provisions applicable to health benefit plans with as few as 2 plan participants.

Tags: ACA, IRS
July 3, 2019
Celebrate Safely This Independence Day
Celebrate Safely This Independence Day

July 4th is synonymous with food, fun, and fireworks. If your church is planning an event this Independence Day, remember to keep a focus on safety, so that everyone can have fun.

Tags: firework safety
June 28, 2019
Insurance is one of those things we forget about until we need it
Insurance is one of those things we forget about until we need it

National Insurance Awareness Day falls on June 28 this year to remind people everywhere that insurance is vital to their companies and ministries.

Tags: damages, insurance, claims
April 9, 2019
Vehicle Registration Guidelines for Ministries
Vehicle Registration Guidelines for Ministries

Do you use commercial vehicles that transport more than 15 passengers or carry cargo from one state to another as part of your ministry? If so, you are required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and obtain a USDOT number.

Tags: liability, vehicle safety, auto insurance
September 21, 2018
Measles Reported in 21 States
Measles Reported in 21 States

The Centers for Disease Control says 107 cases of measles have been reported in 21 states since January 1.

Tags: damages, insurance, claims
June 1, 2018
June Is National Safety Month - Week 1: Emergency Preparedness
June Is National Safety Month - Week 1: Emergency Preparedness

The National Safety Council has designated June as National Safety Month, so we want to make sure your ministry is doing everything it can to protect its people, property, and programs. Each week in June, we’ll tackle a different topic. Up this week: Emergency Preparedness.

Tags: disaster prep, fire prevention, lightning, medical emergency, medical team, storms, weather emergency