Where Do We Start?
Weighing risks against rewards doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
No.1 Secure leader buy-in.
Your pastor and elder board must be on-board, or you’ll be fighting an uphill battle to get the time and resources directed toward risk-management. Use this issue of EFCA Today to start a conversation. But don’t expect your pastor to be the one to lead the charge; he has a lot on his plate, and this likely isn’t his area of expertise. (Remember, they don’t teach risk management in seminary.) He might well ask a board member to serve as point person, or he might entrust you to . . .
No.2 Recruit a champion.
This is a person with attention to detail, complete trust from the pastor, an ability to network with (perhaps “charm”) other leaders in the church and the sticktoitiveness to follow through to the end. This individual might start by forming a safety team, to help share the task of sorting and researching all possible trails toward creating a thorough yet flexible risk-management process.
Other churches have gone before you; take advantage of what they’ve learned.
No.3 Choose 3 critical items first.
You can’t do everything, so start with what matters most: the most obvious risks that can be quickly tackled and/or those with most dire consequences if not addressed. Consider this list. If your church is overlooking any of these, start here. If you’ve covered all these bases (and perhaps more), pat yourselves on the back, and then . . .
No.4 Consult your insurance agent for next-steps.
Remember, you’re paying your agent to identify risks, so take advantage of that expertise. Tell your agent what you’ve already put in place, and ask for advice on the next three things to tackle. And if you don’t have liability insurance yet: Run—don’t walk—to resolve that gaping hole in your church’s risk profile.
No.5 Don’t reinvent the wheel.
Other churches have gone before you; take advantage of what they’ve learned. Ask your superintendent which churches in your district have effective policies in place; then adapt for your church culture and ask your attorney or insurance agent to review. Overwhelmed by the task before you? Use a simple grid to evaluate which ones to pursue first. And don’t overlook the powerful resources available online (many of which are free).
Where Do We Start?
NO.1 SECURE LEADER BUY-IN.
Your pastor and elder board must be on-board, or you’ll be fighting an uphill battle to get the time and resources directed toward risk-management. Use this issue of EFCA Today to start a conversation. But don’t expect your pastor to be the one to lead the charge; he has a lot on his plate, and this likely isn’t his area of expertise. (Remember, they don’t teach risk management in seminary.) He might well ask a board member to serve as point person, or he might entrust you to …
NO.2 RECRUIT A CHAMPION.
This is a person with attention to detail, complete trust from the pastor, an ability to network with (perhaps “charm”) other leaders in the church and the sticktoitiveness to follow through to the end. This individual might start by forming a safety team, to help share the task of sorting and researching all possible trails toward creating a thorough yet flexible risk-management process.
NO.3 CHOOSE 3 CRITICAL ITEMS FIRST.
You can’t do everything, so start with what matters most: the most obvious risks that can be quickly tackled and/or those with most dire consequences if not addressed. Consider this list. If your church is overlooking any of these, start here. If you’ve covered all these bases (and perhaps more), pat yourselves on the back, and then …
NO.4 CONSULT YOUR INSURANCE AGENT FOR NEXT-STEPS.
Remember, you’re paying your agent to identify risks, so take advantage of that expertise. Tell your agent what you’ve already put in place, and ask for advice on the next three things to tackle. And if you don’t have liability insurance yet: Run—don’t walk—to resolve that gaping hole in your church’s risk profile.
NO.5 DON’T REINVENT THE WHEEL.
Other churches have gone before you; take advantage of what they’ve learned. Ask your superintendent which churches in your district have effective policies in place; then adapt for your church culture and ask your attorney or insurance agent to review. Overwhelmed by the task before you? Use a simple grid to evaluate which ones to pursue first. And don’t overlook the powerful resources available online (many of which are free).