The Mutual Aid Agency, which is related to the Church of the Brethren, and its partner agency Brotherhood Mutual are offering a set of resources that are available free to congregations and their leadership. The following may be downloaded from online links: “Child Protection in a Ministry Environment–Guidelines for Ministry Workers,” “Protect Your Ministry’s Directors and Officers,” “Protect Your Roof from Early Failure,” and “Three Payroll Problems to Avoid.”
Said the announcement from the Mutual Aid Agency: “As a member of the Brotherhood Mutual® Ministry Partner Program [www.brotherhoodmutual.com/ministry-partners/church-of-the-brethren], we benefit from their desire to keep churches open and safe for worship and to help effectively manage risk. Brotherhood Mutual resources and services are for all our members, regardless of who currently insures your ministry.”
Find out more about the Mutual Aid Agency at https://maabrethren.com.
Child Protection in a Ministry Environment
This free child protection booklet in pdf format helps congregations and their leaders review child abuse prevention plans. “The safety and wellbeing of children and youth in our church family is a priority,” said the announcement. The 55-page guide “lays the groundwork for developing and enhancing your prevention plan and your staff and volunteer screening program.” It includes background information on abuse to help train staff, supervision recommendations, background check and screening guidelines, a sample policy manual with screening forms and response forms for personal reference, reporting forms for injuries and suspected abuse or neglect, participation agreements, checklists, and a sample congregational letter. Download at www.brotherhoodmutual.com/resources/safety-library/publications/guidelines-for-ministry-workers/?utm_source=eblast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=child-protection&utm_id=Church-of-the-Brethren-04.24
Protect Your Ministry’s Directors and Officers
“We’ve had the opportunity to review some of the special risks church leaders face, especially for those serving as a director or officer on church boards,” said the announcement. “Directors and officers are the leaders that serve as board members, administrators, directors, officers, or trustees that act with the leadership authority granted by a ministry. When someone accepts a position on the church board, they agree to guide the church and put its interests before their own. As a result, church board members are held to a higher standard of accountability than their neighbors in the congregation. This type of accountability means they can be held personally liable for financial damages that result from actions taken as a board member.” A collection of articles and videos is offered to help congregations understand the risks more fully and find out how to add layers of protection. Go to www.brotherhoodmutual.com/resources/safety-library/risk-management-articles/administrative-staff-and-finance/board-resources/?utm_source=eblast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=directors-and-officers&utm_id=Church-of-the-Brethren-04.24
Protect Your Roof from Early Failure
The Mutual Aid Agency recently received a copy of Brotherhood Mutual’s risk management eBook, “The Issue With Roofs,” and is encouraging congregations to read this resource. “Their knowledge, tips, and insight could help improve our ability to protect member congregations against extremely costly and disruptive roof failure,” said the announcement. “Pay particular attention to the article on page 8, ‘The High Cost of Deferred Maintenance.’ You’ll also read tips on how to avoid voiding your roof’s warranty, the importance of ground-level inspection, and budget considerations for preventative maintenance.” Go to www.brotherhoodmutual.com/db/roofs/?utm_source=eblast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=roofs&utm_id=Church-of-the-Brethren-04.24
Three Payroll Problems to Avoid
“Payroll can be complicated,” said the announcement of this resource. “Its requirements and tax regulations seem to keep getting more complex. And as a ministry leader, you are always on the lookout for ways to protect your church and avoid these unnecessary complications.” Mutual Aid Agency is sharing a Brotherhood Mutual article about common problems they have identified through the payroll team at MinistryWorks® by Brotherhood Mutual, regarding churches and payroll, plus tips on how to avoid them, and a Payroll Tax Checklist. In addition, the program is offering a way to streamline workers’ comp premium payments and audits through a benefit called Pay-Go that is available for customers of both MinistryWorks and Brotherhood Mutual Workers’ Comp (www.ministryworks.com/services/pay-go). For the free article go to www.ministryworks.com/resources/articles/payroll-and-tax-filing-resources/three-payroll-problems-to-avoid/?utm_source=eblast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=payroll&utm_id=Church-of-the-Brethren-04.24
Please note: References to insurance coverages are intended to help individuals better understand how these coverages might apply. No insurance coverage provided by Brotherhood Mutual is offered or modified in any way through the descriptions conveyed above. Coverage for actual claims will be based on applicable policy documents applied to the individual facts of an actual claim event.
———-
Find more Church of the Brethren news:
- ‘Learning to Wash Feet’ resource offers new videos defining discipleship, exploring Brethren ordinances
- November Ventures course to focus on understanding grief
- Brethren bits
- Coalition sends letter calling on senators to support joint resolutions of disapproval on arms sales to Israel
- Standing Committee meets by Zoom to adopt agency covenants