Shepherding Ministries in a Time of Change

Anyone who turns on the news, flips through a magazine, or browses the web can see that American society and culture are experiencing rapid transitions. Some ministries have valid concerns that issues surrounding societal shifts may expose them to negative publicity, governmental scrutiny, or litigation.
The questions become: when and how can ministries operate within their deeply held religious beliefs when they may conflict with others’ rights?
Employees in nearly all organizations, secular or religious, can sue their employer because of the employment-related decisions the employer makes. The U.S. Constitution, however, affords ministries certain protection for decisions that ministry leaders make based on their religious beliefs (belief-based decisions).
Before getting into specific issues, it’s important to consider steps to help protect your ministry’s beliefs. These steps include updating ministry documents to include sincerely held beliefs, considering how your ministry will respond to issues and requests that may not align with its values, and consulting with a local attorney:
- Update your governing documents (i.e., bylaws or constitution) – Pointing to an institution’s governing documents is one of the easiest ways to show that it is acting in accordance with its beliefs when challenged.
- Update your operational documents – It’s good practice to weave your ministry’s purpose and beliefs throughout your written policies and procedures.
- Consult with a local counsel – When revising organizational documents, policies, and procedures, ministry leaders should involve a local attorney.
To help protect your ministry, Brotherhood Mutual offers a Religious Freedom Protection Coverage. Additionally, Brotherhood Mutual has created a white paper resource addressing current landscape and trends, lawsuits and threats, potential solutions and protections, and insurance considerations. Contact your American Church Group agent today to learn more about this coverage.
-
April 3, 2023
-
Tragedy in Nashville
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
coverage,
ministry
-
March 17, 2023
-
Worry-Free Mission Travel
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
coverage,
ministry
-
March 17, 2023
-
HR Document Library at your Fingertips
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
coverage,
ministry
-
March 17, 2023
-
Highlights from Recent Security Training Events
-
Tags:
insurance,
coverage,
ministry
-
January 24, 2023
-
Wind and Hail – Deductible Buyback
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
coverage,
ministry
-
January 24, 2023
-
Common Questions About Our Agency
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
coverage,
ministry
-
January 24, 2023
-
Coming to your area in 2023
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
coverage,
ministry
-
January 24, 2023
-
Kingdom Advancing Grant
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
coverage,
ministry
-
January 24, 2023
-
ACG Retreat in Kansas City
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
coverage,
ministry
-
January 23, 2023
-
Loaning Your Ministry's Facilities
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
coverage,
ministry
-
January 23, 2023
-
Protecting You and Your Ministry Partners
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
coverage,
ministry
-
January 9, 2023
-
Better Achieve Your Mission in 2023
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
coverage,
ministry
-
November 18, 2022
-
Our Team is Growing, Again!
-
November 10, 2022
-
We Want To Hear From You!
-
-
There are a lot of hats worn in any growing ministry – and we want to serve every one of them.
-
Tags:
insurance
-
November 10, 2022
-
Evaluate Your Ministry's Fire Safety Plan
-
-
With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s wise for ministries to evaluate their fire safety plan. Whether your ministry is hosting a holiday party, prepping treats for charity, or running a community kitchen, make sure you’re well-prepared with these tips.
-
Tags:
insurance,
property,
volunteer safety,
fire safety
-
November 10, 2022
-
Holiday Season Safety & Security: 3 Things to Plan Before Christmas
-
-
The holidays present unique opportunities and challenges for churches that aren’t typical during other times of the year. A lot of the ministries that I work with are seeing steady increases in attendance and are praying for a significant jump in Christmas service participation this year.
-
Tags:
insurance
-
October 26, 2022
-
October 2022 Blog: What is a 403(B)(9) Retirement Plan?
-
-
In this article, Brad Brown from Plan A Wealth Management gives a wonderful insight into why ministries might consider choosing a 403(B)(9) retirement plan.
-
Tags:
insurance,
property,
taxes,
retirement,
retirement plan
-
September 21, 2022
-
Inflation's Major Impact on Ministries
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
schools,
churches,
building,
property
-
September 21, 2022
-
Report Reveals How Students are Feeling About Their Safety at School
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
schools,
building,
property,
child safety
-
September 21, 2022
-
Top 10 Requested Forms
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
schools,
churches,
building,
property