Presented by Ministry Pacific Insurance Services

This webinar, presented by Max Herr, delves into the essential role of board training and governance within churches and nonprofit organizations. It examines the multifaceted responsibilities of board members, emphasizing the necessity for diligent oversight, adherence to compliance standards, and a thorough grasp of both the spiritual and business operations inherent in church management. Despite the voluntary nature of these roles, they encompass significant legal and financial duties that demand meticulous attention, training, and a proactive approach to leadership.

The session addresses common issues of dysfunction within nonprofit boards, attributing these challenges largely to insufficient training for these pivotal, yet unpaid, volunteers. Herr points out that while these individuals often enter their roles with noble intentions, a deficit in business knowledge and understanding of corporate compliance frequently leads to governance complications.

Exploring the dichotomy within churches, Herr discusses their spiritual objectives and their secular obligations as formal establishments. He stresses the critical need for clear, well-structured governing documents, such as bylaws and operational policies. These documents are crucial for defining the board's structure, powers, and duties, and require regular assessments and revisions to prevent misunderstandings and operational disruptions, which became particularly evident during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, Herr highlights the indispensable role of board members in financial oversight, underscoring their fiduciary responsibilities that remain with the board and cannot be transferred to others. Throughout the webinar, real-life instances of governance failures are examined, illustrating the severe consequences of non-compliance with state and federal regulations and reinforcing the importance of sound governance practices.

By the conclusion of the webinar, participants are expected to acquire a more profound comprehension of the roles of board members and receive practical guidance on enhancing the effectiveness and compliance of governance structures within their organizations. Herr advocates strongly for church and nonprofit leaders to prioritize comprehensive training and allocate necessary resources to reduce risks and bolster their operational effectiveness, thereby ensuring that their organizations not only survive but thrive in their missions.

Who we are
Ministry Pacific is an insurance broker devoted to serving churches and charitable nonprofits.
We’re different from your insurer. As a broker, we help you evaluate policies from many insurers so you can choose the best one for your individual needs. We're not agents or employees of an insurance company. Instead, we work for you. As brokers we are free to explore creative solutions to your problems. We also assist you with claims when you need to file one with your insurer. Questions? Please contact us.

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Statistics about church giving routinely demonstrate that a minority of congregation members do the vast majority of giving. This is not an example of a few wealthy donors carrying the day. Reluctance to give cuts across demographics. Could part of the solution be for churches to give more money away?

In a world where collaboration is key, the relationship between churches and nonprofits can often be complex, even fraught. But what if we could flip the narrative?

In this webinar, sponsored by Ministry Pacific, Scott Harris, VP of Church and Global Engagement at Mission Increase, shares how collaboration can become a reality that benefits both organizations and the communities they serve. Mission Increase was started with seed money donated by a couple who desired not only to give money, but to help faith-based organizations become sustainable.

In order for more community impact to occur, churches and nonprofits must abandon a spirit of competition and embrace their shared mission as co-laborers. As an example, Scott cites Memorial Drive Presbyterian in Houston, which gives away 50% of its budget. He also shares his personal journey as a missions pastor, where his church’s missions budget grew from $75,000 to $1 million in just four years. The secret? Compelling storytelling and consistent encouragement.

Scott introduces the APEST model – an acronym that represents apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd, teacher – and the importance of having all five voices represented in leadership. This diverse approach is essential for an outward focus.

Communication is a critical part of inspiring generosity, yet paradoxically churches shy away from discussing it. When they do, it’s frequently misaligned. Radical generosity can engage the younger generation – one that cares more about causes than buildings.

• Learn more about Mission Increase at missionincrease.org
• Learn more about Ministry Pacific Insurance Services and schedule a free consultation at MinistryPacific.com.

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In this episode of Ministry Pacific Insights, we discuss the world of church and nonprofit finances with a focus on helping ministries creatively and wisely manage their funds for maximum impact. Our guest is Brook Maturo, executive director of The Admin Hub (www.TheAdminHub.org).

We discuss challenges, including lack of resources and expertise, and explore practical solutions. From telling a financial story to creating a culture of transparency and empowerment, we cover key principles and best practices for healthy church finances.

In addition, Brook shares inspiring examples of financial transformation within ministries, showcasing how creative funding, coupled with strong financial management, can lead to impactful results. From a pastor starting his own ministry to a construction ministry in Haiti empowering local staff, these stories illustrate the power of financial stewardship in fulfilling a ministry's mission.

Listen in as we explore the themes of transparency, storytelling, simplicity, and empowerment in financial management, and learn how these principles can help ministries thrive and make a difference in their communities.

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Church bylaws may sound like gobbledygook, but they are the bedrock of church governance. At least they should be.

Church bylaws are the documents that serve as the backbone of a church's operations, guiding its decisions, practices, and overall function.

As important as they are, church bylaws are often neglected, ignored and rarely reviewed or updated. But your church could stand or fall based on their content.

Church bylaws play a pivotal role in establishing a framework for order within the organization. By outlining fundamental rules and guidelines, these governing documents help maintain consistency in decision-making processes. This includes defining the roles of church leaders and setting clear expectations for members.

Bylaws, when drafted appropriately and with input, can enhance accountability and transparency within the church. By clearly outlining procedures for financial management, conflict resolution, and decision-making, these documents promote a culture of openness and integrity.

Church bylaws also play a role in safeguarding your organization in terms of legal compliance.

Bylaws provide clarity regarding financial management, leadership structure, dispute resolution and other matters core to the healthy functioning of a church.

Church bylaws are not static documents. The more that church leadership is familiar with them, the more effective the bylaws can be. Being familiar with bylaws can reveal important omissions and statements that need revision or removal.

This seminar is presented by Max Herr, president of Church & Ministry Compliance Consulting. He has more than 25 years of experience in insurance, financial services, compliance and governance, including more than 10 years as a church treasurer. Max served as a church compliance specialist for the California Southern Baptist Convention for six years.

Ministry Pacific is an insurance broker devoted to serving churches and charitable nonprofits. We’re different from your insurer. As a broker, we help churches and nonprofits evaluate policies from many insurers so you can choose the best one for your individual needs. We’re not bound to any particular insurance company. But we are bound to you, our customers. As brokers we are free to explore creative solutions to your problems. We also assist you with claims when you need to file one with your insurer. Questions? Please contact us: www.MinistryPacific.com

A California workplace violence law requires employers, including churches and nonprofits, to comply by July 1, 2024. SB 553 requires employers, including churches and nonprofits, to develop workplace violence prevention plans by the deadline. Requirements include creating the plan, designating an implementation team, maintaining violent incident logs, education and more. Ryan Abernethy, an attorney and shareholder at Weintraub Tobin in Sacremento, Calif., shares his expertise with Ministry Pacific in this webinar. Ryan breaks down CA SB 553 to help California employers apply it. Learn more about this law and download the state’s model Workplace Violence Prevention Plan, from Ministry Pacific at www.ministrypacific.com/sb553.

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Churches and nonprofits are up to good – literally. So why would they need a crisis communications plan? Because life happens. Litigation. Accidents. Embezzlement. Crime on your property. All of these things can land you in the media spotlight. Not only that, you have to communicate coherently to your congregation, donors and the general public. You won't communicate effectively on the fly. That's why you need a crisis communication plan. Although you can't schedule a crisis, you can educate yourself on how the media works and set a system in place to help you rapidly respond when a crisis hits. In this seminar, communications professionals Roy Harryman and Megan Neher explain how to develop a crisis communications plan and what you can do now to be a responsible steward of your organization's message and reputation. In addition, liability insurance often provides coverage for public relations in the event that a crisis involves litigation or a cyber breach.

Ministry Pacific is a property and liability insurance broker for nonprofits, ministries, churches and other faith-based organizations. Contact us for a free consultation at www.MinistryPacific.com.

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After a catastrophe, it’s too late to update your property insurance. The time to do the legwork is now. Joining us to explain the church reconstruction process is Parker Young, president of Straub Construction. An understanding of the steps to rebuilding is critical to setting the proper dollar amount of property insurance. If your settlement isn’t enough to actually replace your facility, a stressful situation will be made even worse. In this interview, Parker informs of some of the costs that are often not considered when organizations purchase insurance policies. These include costs for demolition, debris removal, hazard waste mitigation and code compliance. In addition, churches and nonprofits need to ensure that their facilities are properly valued (building valuation). Communication with your insurer is necessary to make sure building improvements and expansions are on file. Ministry Pacific thanks Parker Young and Straub Construction for their expertise: www.straubconstruction.com