Risk Management and Your Church

Is risk management really necessary for your church? After all, church is the home for sharing about Jesus and doing His work. With pure motivations and God on our side, do we really need to think about risk? 

The short answer is: yes. 

The longer answer (spoiler alert: still yes) starts by looking at what “risk” is. 

A risk is any uncertainty about whether or not a loss will occur. It consists of two key components: uncertainty and loss. There is some degree of risk with every interaction, even in churches.

We use risk management every day. For example, when we get in the car to drive, we put on our seatbelt, plan our route, observe the speed limit, and have already purchased insurance to help with the losses caused by an unexpected accident. Each of these steps mitigates uncertainty and/or loss, regardless of whether we’re consciously making those choices.

As you think about your church’s operations, consider your opportunities to manage risk. There are risks associated with volunteers, children and vulnerable adults, the management and condition of your facilities, copyright law, financial risks, employment risks, and much more.

Being aware of risk and taking steps to mitigate it allows you to focus on what matters most. 

In the driving example, that’s safely getting to our destination. For your church, we assume that’s your people and your relationships with them. When risks are appropriately managed, you and your ministry leaders can keep your focus and resources on serving your people rather than defending claims or pending litigation. 

Keeping that focus where it belongs and managing risk isn’t a one-and-done activity. It takes intentionality and consistency. As environments, conditions, and seasons change, so does the opportunity to manage risks. 

So, is risk management really necessary for churches? Yes. 

Luke 12:48 tells us: “To whom much is given, much is required.” Pastors and staff are given an awesome responsibility to lead people to a relationship with Jesus through their love and actions. Risk management is simply the process of planning ahead to ensure opportunities for harm or damage are reduced and managed.

Ready to think about risk for your church, or still not sure how to get started? We’re here to help.