Rogue Camels May Be Unavoidable but Liability Doesn’t Have to Be
When Risk Meets Reality: What Churches Often Miss About Liability
No one tells you that ministry leadership might one day involve dodging a startled camel as it launches itself—at the same time—forward and backward like a creature engineered by committee. Yet on that Christmas Eve, as 2,000 people watched a live nativity unfold under dim lights and rising music, I learned a lesson that no seminary textbook ever covered:
Liability doesn’t pause for sacred moments.
It doesn’t wait for worship to finish, for the lights to come up, or for your staff to catch their breath. It arrives uninvited, usually at the least convenient time, and often in ways that make even seasoned pastors say, “We never thought that would happen.”
The Risk Landscape Churches Face
Churches routinely operate in environments with unique and varied risk exposures. These include:
Trip-and-fall hazards
Facility use by outside groups
Volunteers driving personal vehicles
Minors in ministry environments
Counseling and pastoral care
Benevolence programs
Seasonal events (sometimes involving live animals)
Each of these areas carries real liability potential. But risk does not have to be overwhelming. With intentional planning, churches can significantly reduce exposure, protect their people, and demonstrate responsible governance.
1. Build Clear Written Policies—and Follow Them
Policies are not paperwork; they are protection.
Written policies create predictable processes and reduce discretionary, on-the-spot decision-making in high-risk situations. Every church should develop and consistently apply policies in key operational areas, such as:
Children’s and youth ministry
Counseling and pastoral care
Benevolence assistance
Financial practices
Facility use and rentals
Special events and holiday services
Staff and volunteer expectations
When something goes wrong, the ability to show that the church had established policies—and that staff and volunteers followed them—becomes one of the strongest defenses available.
2. Screen, Train, and Supervise Volunteers
Volunteers are the backbone of most ministries. They are also a major source of liability if placed in the wrong role or left without clear expectations.
Effective risk management includes:
Background checks and reference checks
Written volunteer applications and role descriptions
Regular safety and protocol training
Consistent supervision and follow-up
Training reinforces expectations, helps volunteers recognize safety concerns, and ensures that everyone is operating under the same set of standards. Supervision closes gaps before they become incidents.
3. Review Your Insurance Coverage Annually
Insurance is often the least thrilling part of the church budget—until something happens.
Ministry operations tend to expand faster than a church’s insurance policy. Annual review with an advisor who understands church activity is essential. Key areas to evaluate include:
General liability
Sexual misconduct and abuse coverage
Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance
Employment Practices Liability (EPLI)
Auto liability (including hired and non-owned vehicles)
Cyber liability
Workers’ compensation
Just as important as confirming adequate coverage is understanding exclusions—what your policy doesn’t cover may surprise you.
Ministry Will Always Involve Risk—But It Can Be Managed
Rogue camels may be unavoidable. Unnecessary liability is not.
Clear policies, trained volunteers, and appropriately structured insurance coverage give churches the systems they need to operate confidently and protect their people, property, and mission. When churches take risk management seriously, they don’t just avoid claims—they reinforce trust, stewardship, and organizational integrity.
