By Jon Barron When most organizations prepare for renewal, they gather the required information, complete the application, and trust the process. But what if the most important parts of your risk story never make it into that conversation? Applications, schedules, payroll, vehicles, losses, locations, and program descriptions all matter. But they mostly capture known, structured […]
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By Matthew Mattingly, ARM Most churches review their insurance policy once a year, sign the renewal, and move on to the hundred other things competing for an administrator’s attention. That’s understandable — risk management isn’t why anyone got into ministry. But in 20 years of working with religious institutions, the churches that get hurt aren’t […]
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By Michael Lattis Church leaders and staff are called to wisely administer the resources God has given them. Stewardship, however, extends beyond managing finances. It also includes protecting information. Caring for congregants’ personal and sensitive data is a sacred responsibility that reflects the trust members place in their church. Discretion helps safeguard not only […]
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Why policies alone do not produce consistent outcomes By Jon Barron A ministry has an employee handbook with policies for leave, conduct, accommodations, reporting concerns, and corrective action. The policies were approved, stored and shared. Everyone assumes they provide control. Then a real situation comes up. One supervisor follows the handbook closely. Another makes an […]
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Why similar organizations experience very different outcomes By Jon Barron A ministry has a major water loss over a weekend. The policy responds. Adjusters are assigned. Mitigation begins. On paper, the organization is covered. By Monday morning, however, the harder questions are operational: Where will programs meet? Who speaks to staff, donors, residents, parents, or […]
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A look back at the articles that mattered most to our readers in 2025 Throughout 2025, a unifying theme emerges across all the Church Executive articles: faithful ministry in today’s rapidly changing landscape requires both spiritual clarity and strategic wisdom. From financial stewardship and governance to facility design, technology adoption, and next-generation engagement, the […]
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By Brian Lindquist The modern insurance landscape is much different than it was even five years ago. Record losses, inflation, high construction costs, and more have all contributed to rising insurance costs. This industry-wide trend has many ministries asking questions about how to maximize the value of their insurance. There are many factors that drive […]
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Forward Church in Irvington, Ala. after a fire renovation Taking care of a church building involves more than just maintaining the grounds and keeping the lights on; it means creating a safe space for your congregation to gather, worship, and experience community. One critical aspect of that safety is fire protection. Whether your church is […]
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The line between security and convenience can be challenging to navigate. I frequently speak with pastors and ministry leaders about how to protect an organization while still empowering users to accomplish their mission. The more secure you are, the less convenient it is for the users. The more convenient it is for the users, […]
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By RaeAnn Slaybaugh With a combined 25 years of experience working with Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY) and its church clients, Risk Management Vice President Andrew Shockey and Underwriting Human Services Product Manager Michael Nester know background checks. First and foremost, they know that not enough houses of worship are conducting them — and why. […]
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