ASSEMBLIES OF GOD
Safety Issues
Above all else, kids should always be safe. This section reminds us of great practices for keeping your kids safe.
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Child Protection: Who Is Responsible?
BGMC TeamMay 29, 2018You want your children to be safe. As a church leader, you have the added responsibility of making your ministry a safe place for everyone’s children.
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How To Handle An Active Shooter In Your Church
BGMC TeamMay 28, 2018Doug Clay, Dr. Richard Hammar, and Jerry Sparks discuss best practices church leaders can put in place to minimize the risk of an active shooter incident.
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Assumption of Risk Forms
BGMC TeamMay 27, 2018Churches and other non-profits have lost tens of millions of dollars due to invalid Assumption of Risk forms. Dr. Rich Hammar and Jerry Sparks explain what courts look for in these forms.
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How To Deal With Sexual Misconduct In Your Church
BGMC TeamMay 26, 2018Sexual misconduct is the #1 reason churches end up in court. Jerry Sparks provides tips on how to avoid it and gives a proper plan of action if it ever happens.
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Hayride Safety
BGMC TeamMay 25, 2018Rich Hammar and Jerry Sparks discuss tips that will help you host a safe hayride.
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Keep Your Church Out Of The Headlines
BGMC TeamMay 24, 2018Rich Hammar and Jerry Sparks discuss recent cases of inappropriate behavior between church staff and children and explain how to properly vet your employees.
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Summer Camp: Minimize Risk, Maximize Reward
BGMC TeamMay 23, 2018For churches and districts, summer camp means a higher level of risk. Rich and Jerry provide simple tips to proactively mitigate risk and plan for a safe summer.
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Preparing For Cold Weather Hazards
BGMC TeamMay 22, 2018Winter brings snow removal, freezing pipes, and slips and falls. Richard Hammar and Jerry Sparks discuss how you can protect your church.
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Top Risk Management Issues For Churches
BGMC TeamMay 21, 2018The key risk management issues for churches include child safety, sex offenders, concealed carry, and church fraud.
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Top Tips For A Safe Summer
BGMC TeamMay 20, 2018Richard Hammar and Jerry Sparks talk about key summer risks and how to address them. Whether it's picnics, fireworks, swimming, or camp, learn tips to keep your ministry safe all summer.
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How To Handle And Prevent Child Abuse In Church
BGMC TeamMay 19, 2018Richard Hammar and Jerry Sparks highlight ways to handle allegations of abuse or sexual misconduct, and how to deal with the press.
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Why Background Checks Are Not Enough
BGMC TeamMay 18, 2018A recent court ruling in Florida resulted in a $12,500,000 verdict and a claim that a criminal records check is not sufficient.
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Texting As A Risk For Churches
BGMC TeamMay 17, 2018Richard Hammar and Jerry Sparks discuss how a recent New Jersey case could impact churches and provide tips for creating and implementing a church cell phone policy.
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Child Abuse Reporting: Requirements and Repercussions
BGMC TeamMay 15, 2018In this issue of Risk Management LIVE, Richard Hammar and Jerry Sparks discuss child abuse and the ramifications of not reporting.
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Emergency Operations Plans For Churches
BGMC TeamMay 14, 2018Richard Hammar and Jerry Sparks discuss FEMA's new emergency operations plans for churches and why they believe some of the recommendations fall short.
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How To Deal With Registered Sex Offenders In Your Church
BGMC TeamMay 13, 2018Dr. Richard Hammar and Jerry Sparks discuss the church's responsibility in dealing with sex offenders as it relates to leadership roles in the church.
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Liability and Sexual Orientation
BGMC TeamMay 12, 2018Richard Hammar and Jerry Sparks discuss the liability associated with employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and the refusal to allow same-sex marriages in your church.
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Social Media Policies And Churches
BGMC TeamMay 11, 2018In this issue of Risk Management LIVE, Richard Hammar and Jerry Sparks discuss the possible risks social media could pose to your church and what to include in a social media policy to mitigate that risk.
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Church Property Insurance
BGMC TeamMay 10, 2018In this issue of Risk Management LIVE, Richard Hammar and Jerry Sparks discuss how to evaluate your church's property insurance including coverage and limits.
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Concealed Carry Weapons
BGMC TeamMay 9, 2018In this issue of Risk Management LIVE, Richard Hammar and Jerry Sparks discuss church safety and concealed weapons.
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Volunteers: Part 2
BGMC TeamMay 8, 2018Richard Hammar and Jerry Sparks continue their discussion on volunteer risk management.
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Volunteers: Part 1
BGMC TeamMay 6, 2018Richard Hammar and Jerry Sparks, president of AG Financial Insurance Solutions, discuss mitigating volunteer-related risks.
Every year, dozens of stories are reported involving a church group in an accident. While some accidents may be unavoidable, many result from poor planning, inadequate training, unsafe vehicles, or passengers and drivers not following safety practices.
AG Financial Insurance Solutions
Risk Management Guidebook
The #1 reason churches in end up in court is sexual abuse. A church needs to do a background check and a reference check. A church needs to implement a policy where no child is left alone with an adult, and there should be a six month waiting period for anyone who is wanting to volunteer around children.
Jerry Sparks
President of AG Financial Insurance Solutions
When people bring their children to church, they should feel good about their safety. To ensure proper safety and security for God’s children, a church must proactively and intentionally develop and follow specific, written practices and procedures.
AG Financial Insurance Solutions
Risk Management Guide
Many releases used by non-profits are legally invalid and unenforceable in court.
Richard Hammar
Attorney for the General Council of the Assemblies of God
Nothing can tear a church apart more than a case of sexual misconduct. A church can be embroiled in such a case five years or more. After a prolonged investigation with possible criminal and civil cases, many church leaders and congregations find themselves short of energy, funds, and the will to move forward.
AG Financial Insurance Solutions
Risk Management Guide
Many issues and incidents can negatively impact ministry. The goal of any church or religious institution should be to do whatever possible to protect people, resources, facilities and ministries. Doing so is a necessary act of faithful stewardship for every organization and leader.
Jerry Sparks
President of AG Financial Insurance Solutions
If most of the other child-serving organizations have safeguards in place to prevent or dramatically reduce the possibility of an event occurring, a potential offender will seek the place that is most lax. Unfortunately, it is often the church.
AG Financial Insurance Solutions
Risk Management Guide