Although mission trips can be valuable experiences, there are potential challenges and risks involved that church leaders need to be prepared for. Consider the following recommendations to make your trips safer.
The first step is to get a committee together to evaluate opportunities and begin planning the trip. There are many details to keep in mind when traveling with a group, particularly overseas. Therefore, it is helpful for your organization to have written guidelines that church leaders can follow. The more time spent planning, the less chance there will be of avoidable issues. Click here to download a mission trip checklist.
Additionally, it’s imperative that all participants get a physical exam at least six weeks before departure. This may include immunizations or vaccinations depending on where you’re traveling to. If any volunteers take prescription medication, they should ensure they have enough to last the entirety of the trip. Prior to departure, each volunteer should sign a consent and release form, click here to download free templates of the domestic and international travel consent and release form templates.
Traveling to an unfamiliar location always comes with risks. When selecting a destination, it is important to do your research. Consider health risks, cultural norms, economic and political dangers, immunizations, and laws and customs. If traveling abroad, find the location of the U.S. Embassy, and speak to a representative about safety concerns. In addition, check the State Department Travel Advisories, which provide information on terrorism, crime, civil unrest, health, natural disasters, and more.
Another factor to consider is mode of transportation. All drivers must have a current drivers license and clean motor vehicle record. Overseas, license requirements, driving rules and customs may vary, so research must be done ahead of time. Additionally, you must decide what type of vehicle will be utilized; personal vehicles, a church owned van, a mini-bus, or a coach bus? If driving for an extended period of time, ensure the driver has time to rest or have another driver takeover. When taking a flight, book non-stop if possible.
Have a solid emergency plan in place. Designate a point person who is not on the trip who can be contacted in the case of an emergency. This person will communicate between the church, the volunteers, and their family members. Make sure you’re prepared for natural disasters, security or terrorism, medical emergencies, missing participants, etc. Each volunteer should create an emergency ID kit incase their passport is lost or stolen during travel. To do this, gather a photocopy of the data page of your passport, two recent passport photos, and the U.S. embassy information in a safe location.
Consider purchasing short-term travel insurance to cover your mission team during trips, since many domestic insurance coverages do not apply in foreign countries. This will ensure you have proper coverage from any potential accidents, medical emergencies, and other events that may occur.
To view our complete risk management library of articles for churches and non-profits, click here.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, your church leadership team has been left to figure out how to lead your congregation, how to continue the fellowship of believers, and how to continue ministering to your community as a virtual church in a safe and effective way. Many have utilized live streaming video to maximize your impact and keep your congregation as physically safe as possible.
As you continue to navigate the realities of virtual church and trying to make a visual impact, we have compiled a list of the most popular cameras available on the market, ranging in price from an entry level, minimal budget all the way to the top tier, professional gear. Thankfully, while you can spend thousands on camera, lighting, and audio equipment to produce high-quality content, this doesn’t need to be the case. As with most aspects of photography and videography, the financial barrier to entry is low, with your creativity being the most important key to success.
Best Cameras for Video:
Logitech C920
$
Microsoft Lifecam Studio for Business
$
Logitech BRIO Webcam
$
Canon Vixia HF R800
$$
Panasonic H-V770
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Canon 80D
$$$
Panasonic Lumix GH4
$$$
Sony a6300
$$$
Sony A7 II
$$$
Canon Vixia HF G21
$$$
Canon XA11
$$$
Epiphan LUMiO 12x PTZ Camera
$$$
Panasonic Lumix GH5
$$$$
Canon EOS C100 II
$$$$
Panasonic AG UX180
$$$$
Canon XF400
$$$$
While it may seem overwhelming to figure out how to get your service online quickly, start with a road map of where you are now and where you want to be. Take note if you already have video equipment available and what type of new equipment you would like to invest in. Consider where you want to stream your sermon. This will determine the platform you end up using to live stream the church service.
It is also important to ensure that your internet connection is fast enough to stream. You can get a dedicated internet connection for your stream. Work on your lighting. When you work on your lighting within the church, your live stream will have a better-quality picture for those watching. Set up your camera with the view you want people tuning in to see. Pick a live streaming platform that’s right for your church. Create your account, set up your stream, practice streaming it and then hit go on Sunday morning.
To view our complete risk management library of articles for churches and non-profits, click here.
After weeks of mandatory lockdown to help slow the spread of COVID-19, churches across the country are reopening their doors to parishioners. Many are grappling with the risk that worshipers may contract COVID-19 and may try to hold the ministry liable for the resulting damages. Thoughtful deliberation is needed when considering the potential impact of COVID-19 on your congregation.
One option to help minimize this risk is to require worshipers to contractually waive their right to hold the church liable if they contract COVID-19 on premises. Although requiring churchgoers to sign a COVID-19 liability waiver may help insulate you from liability, the enforceability of COVID-19 liability waivers presents some legal uncertainties, as courts have not yet analyzed such waivers in any detail. The enforceability of liability waivers is a matter of state law, some of the more specific legal questions about waivers will have different answers in different jurisdictions.
Guidelines for churches drafting COVID-19 liability waivers:
All COVID-19 liability waivers should be drafted in clear language that is understandable to the ordinary person, and these provisions should be very conspicuous if included within a larger contract.
Waivers should include language regarding the highly contagious nature of COVID-19 and warn that even with heightened cleaning procedures, social distancing, face masks, etc., the church cannot fully eliminate the risk that churchgoers may contract COVID-19. They should be drafted so that visitors agree that (1) they understand this heightened risk, and (2) with that understanding, they agree not to hold the church liable for any damages resulting from contraction of COVID‑19 due to the organization’s negligence.
Waivers should comply with the applicable state laws and public policies regarding traditional liability waivers.
Even organizations with COVID-19 liability waivers should strive to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local recommendations for practices that can help lower the risk of COVID-19 transmission. If a court determines that deviance from such guidelines is grossly negligent or reckless, a COVID-19 liability waiver may not protect you from being liable for a visitor’s resulting damages.
Hurricane damage can’t always be prevented or eliminated, but with some careful forethought, it can be mitigated long before a storm arrives. There are some obvious preventative measures that can be conducted that require out of pocket expense like inspecting/repairing/upgrading the roof cover and perimeter flashing or installing hurricane shutters, but for the purposes of this article we will focus on the activities that churches can perform that require little to no investment other than time and energy. These are broken into Pre-Hurricane, Warning, During, and After-Hurricane phases.
In most cases, hurricane planning activities should be implemented prior to Hurricane Season which begins June 1st and continues through October 31st. However, there are plenty of measures you can take immediately before, during, and after a hurricane to reduce loss.
Widespread damage begins when a hurricane reaches around 110 mph. At this speed, the wind is sufficient enough to literally suck the roof cover from all or part of the building. In addition, high winds have the ability to turn most windblown debris into missiles, thereby breaking windows and doors. These openings then allow more wind to enter the building which creates additional upward forces on the roof. If a roof hasn’t been sucked off the building from the primary forces, once there are openings in the building, these secondary forces are sure to help blow the roof off the building. Once the roof is all or partially removed, and additional secondary holes have been punched in a building, the interior and contents are much more likely to be damaged or destroyed by rain that typically accompanies a hurricane.
Pre-Hurricane Preventive Measures
Once a hurricane is on its way, resources start to become scarce and much more expensive. Highlighted below are activities churches can perform prior to hurricane season so that they can resume operations as quickly as possible after the storm.
Create or customize a checklist of activities that can be used during all phases of the storm.
Appoint an individual to monitor weather forecasts and track impending hurricanes.
Compile an Emergency Contact List with 24-hour contact numbers for essential employees and volunteers.
Identify vital records and make backup copies.
Qualify and pre-commit contractors and suppliers for post-hurricane repairs. (Use firms not likely to be affected by the same hurricane.)
Stock supplies and prepare needed equipment (rations, generators, radios, flashlights w/ batteries, medical supplies, and lumber/tools/hardware).
Relocate valuable on-floor equipment/storage to protect from water damage.
As the Hurricane Approaches (Warning Phase)
CASH is king! Obtain and keep accessible as much as possible as banks may not be open following the storm.
Brace lightweight doors from the inside to minimize the chance of them blowing in.
Fill fuel tanks, generators, vehicles, etc.
Protect or move valuable papers and important documents to a safe location.
Print a complete copy of the property insurance policy and note the policy number and claim filing information
Close valves on gas lines and, if possible, disconnect the electric supply at the service entrance.
Clean the roof drains, gutters, and downspouts.
Initiate orderly shutdown of equipment sensitive to sudden loss of power.
Evacuate personnel.
During the Hurricane
Remaining personnel should check for roof leaks, broken windows and piping, fires, and initiate emergency responses as needed.
If power failure does occur, disconnect circuits so they cannot be reenergized without checking for damage.
After the Hurricane
Survey the damage and establish priorities.
Board up openings.
Check circuits and equipment before restoring power.
Follow your pre-established salvage reconstruction and recovery plan using key employees and outside contractors.
Photograph and/or video all damage and contact the insurance carrier directly to submit a claim.
Damage from hurricanes may be inevitable, but with some careful pre-planning and diligent execution of strategic activities, you can significantly reduce the cost associated with a hurricane. Costs can escalate significantly once you consider property/wind insurance deductibles, lost production time, and supply chain disruptions. A risk manager or insurance agent can help you identify and prioritize the most critical exposures for your church.
To view our complete risk management library of articles for churches and non-profits, click here.
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, your church leadership team has been left to figure out how to lead your congregation, how to continue the fellowship of believers, and how to continue ministering to your community as a virtual church in a safe and effective way. Many have utilized live streaming video to maximize your impact and keep your congregation as physically safe as possible.
After weeks of mandatory lockdown to help slow the spread of COVID-19, churches across the country are reopening their doors to parishioners. Many are grappling with the risk that worshipers may contract COVID-19 and may try to hold the ministry liable for the resulting damages. Thoughtful deliberation is needed when considering the potential impact of COVID-19 on your congregation.
