Episode 8

full
Published on:

18th Nov 2025

A Stewardship Approach to Church Liability

Thank you so much for listening to episode 4 of Season 2: A Stewardship Approach to Church Liability! You can find an episode summary, takeaways, below!

Summary:

In this episode of Let’s Talk Solutions, host Hunter Pettis and guests Ashley Frazier-Morrison, Esquire, MPA and Leander Tomazeli, AINS, AIS explore the various aspects of liability, including the responsibilities of churches regarding property maintenance, the role of volunteers, the implications of vacant versus unoccupied properties, and playground safety. Join us for this engaging conversation as our team emphasizes that liability is not just a legal issue but a stewardship issue, and encourages church leaders to prioritize risk management and safety in their ministries.

"Please note that the information shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing discussed should be interpreted as specific legal advice or as creating an attorney-client relationship. If you have questions about your organization or situation, we encourage you to connect with your own local counsel.”

Key Takeaways:

  • Liability is a stewardship issue, not just a legal one.
  • Churches must manage risks to protect their members.
  • Good intentions do not shield churches from liability.
  • Proper documentation is crucial in liability claims.
  • Volunteers should be placed in roles that match their skills.
  • Vacant properties pose significant liability risks.
  • Clear agreements with outside organizations are essential.
  • Regular maintenance of church property is a must.
  • Risk management tools help mitigate potential liabilities.
  • Start with small steps towards better risk management.

Episode Resources:

Sample-Church Rental Agreement

Maintaining Closed Buildings PDF

Solutions Article: Signing Contracts

Solutions Article: How to Maintain a “Closed” Building

Solutions Article: Taking Care of Our Facilities: An Interview with Risk Control Specialist Brian Schwab

Solutions Article: You Need To Know About Renting Your Church

Maintaining Closed Buildings PDF

Solutions Article: Let the Pros Handle It

Solutions Article: The Price You DON'T Pay by Maintaining Buildings

Solutions Article: The Church Work Bee


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Email: info@adventistrisk.org

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About the Podcast

Let's Talk Solutions
Let’s Talk Solutions” is a podcast where we demystify risk management and bring practical solutions to real-world problems.

We’ll talk to experts and experienced church leaders to tackle the biggest problems facing the risk management landscape. Among other topics, we’ll help you learn how to create safer church environments, prepare for natural disasters, and maintain facilities.

Our end goal is to equip our community with the know-how to effectively safeguard their ministries. This podcast isn’t just about risk avoidance; it’s about safeguarding the mission and values that drive our church’s work.

Join us for “Let’s Talk Solutions” to listen to insightful conversations aimed at fortifying our ministries, a growing movement towards responsible stewardship.