INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP

Equipping members for Global Mission and Outreach

General Conference Sabbath School and Personal Ministries

Community Services & Urban Ministry Certification ProgramModule Syllabus & Teaching Notes

CS 05e Risk Management & Legal Issues

1 contact hour

Developed by Arthur BlinciVice President—Marketing and Field Services

Adventist Risk Management, Inc.

©2011 General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists®

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Table of ContentsRisk Management—It’s More than InsuranceStewardship IsRisk Management Is…Christ’s Method AloneWho Do We Serve?Surrounded by RiskHow Do We Serve?It Has HappenedThe Potential ImpactRisk ManagementRisk IdentificationPlan AheadStrategic MinistryRisk ControlFacility Protection & Safety AwarenessIdentification of Hazards#1 Cause of AccidentsCommon Electrical AccidentsElectrical SafetyAre You a Lighthouse?Safety Officer or TeamSafety EquipmentWorkplace Safety ToolkitAdventistrisk.org WebsiteOur ChallengeCreating the MagnificentThe Three S Model of Servant LeadershipStewardship in ActionOur CommitmentFocus on Risk ControlQuestions & Further InformationBibliography List

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Collaboration for CompassionA Risk Management Overview

By: Arthur F. Blinci, ARM eMBAVice President, Adventist Risk Management, Inc.

Module Objectives

1. To acquaint participants with an overview of risk management issues

that an organization may face when planning for a ministry activity,

community service project, or other forms of humanitarian endeavor.

2. To become aware of the potential risks that may occur during the actual

event and what steps every organization should take to implement an

effective risk management program at their point of ministry.

Student Requirements

Students must attend the entire seminar and engage in the discussion

to earn module credit.

Textbook

There is no required textbook for this module. For further study,

students are encouraged to avail themselves of the references listed during

the module and in the bibliography at the end of these teacher’s notes.

Slide #1 – Title

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Introduce the subject and review the module objectives to be achieved

by each participant.

Slide #2 – Creating New Opportunities

Within the world of Adventist Community Services and other forms of

outreach ministries the Seventh-day Adventist Church faces many unique

Challenges. Ministry can take place both at home and in far away

countries. It can be conducted within the safe confines of a local church or

community center or in the midst of catastrophic devastation. These

challenges can create unique and significant Risks to those actively

involved in providing the ministry or service, that could cause bodily harm

or financial risk to the church if an accident were to occur or an un-

expected event takes place which can bring potential liability. However, in

every ministry situation the church is afforded tremendous Opportunity to

be the helping and loving hands of Christ as we serve others in today’s 21st

Century world. What a privilege we have as human agents to reach out and

help others in times of need!

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men,

especially unto them who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:10.

Slide #3 – Risk Management—It’s More than Insurance

The key principle that we must understand at the end of this seminar

is the fact that risk management and the word insurance are not

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synonymous terms! Risk management is so much more that the mere

purchasing of insurance to provide protection over a specific type of activity

or event. In fact, insurance is only a small part of the risk management

process. When you consider the words “Risk Management” there is a single

concept which can explain it better than most—the word is “Stewardship.”

In fact, risk management can be viewed as a ministry of stewardship in

action.

Slide #4 – Stewardship Is…

In Scripture we see many examples of stewardship in action. Jesus

himself told the parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30, where the

master was going away on a long journey. He entrusted his assets to his

servants to manage during his period of absence and explained the

responsibility each had to provide care for these assets in a responsible

manner. The master told each of them before he left that they would be

held responsible to give an account of what they did to protect, maintain,

and enrich the master’s resources while he was gone. This same

responsibility is ours today as church leaders—to be the faithful steward of

all things the Lord has entrusted to our care here on this earth.

These include:

Stewardship is caring for the Lord’s Resources …. Matthew 25:14-30

Stewardship is protecting the assets of your church…. Human,

Financial and Physical

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Stewardship is supporting the Lord’s work with faithful Tithe and

Offerings…. Malachi 3:10

Stewardship is the careful planning of all church sponsored

activities…. Proverbs 11:14

Managing risk has a role to play in every aspect of Christian

stewardship. Stewardship holds church leaders accountable for the plans

they make and the outcomes that occur during all ministry activities. Is the

leadership of your ministry taking adequate time in planning, preparing,

training, and equipping all participants to successfully meet the challenges

and risks that might be encountered during the activity for which you are

engaged?

Slide #5 – Risk Management Is…

“The process of directing, organizing and controlling the activities and

resources of an organization in order to minimize and where possible

prevent the adverse effect of accidental losses.”

Take a moment to look at this definition, risk management is

traditional sound business management with a specific purpose attached—

to minimize or prevent where possible the adverse impact that can be

caused by accidental losses.

Risk managers understand you will not be able to eliminate all the risk

from a given activity or prevent all accidents from occurring. However,

with proper planning, supervision, and preventative measures in place an

organization with a pro-active risk management program can make major

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strides in preventing accidents before they occur or minimize the impact or

harm when they do strike your organization.

Slide #6 – Christ’s Method Alone…

This statement from the writings of Ellen G. White has become the mantra

or battle cry of Adventist Community Service leaders and volunteers.

Rightly so, for it clearly establishes your mission and places you on the

scene of action:

“Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the people.

The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He

showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won

their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me’ ” (The Ministry of

Healing, p. 143).

However, along with this mission comes the responsibility to be

prepared for the unexpected. How can your organization be prepared? (1)

Through the proper planning of all activities, and (2) by taking the

necessary precautions to prevent accidents by using appropriate safety

measures, and (3) properly supervising all church-sponsored activities.

Remember with each opportunity there will be challenges to face and

risks to be managed. Your responsibility as a ministry leader is to be a

responsible steward of the lives and resources entrusted to your care as you

lead in the performance of these Christ-centered ministries.

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Slide #7 – Who Do We Serve?

Take a look around the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the

multitude of ministries we provide to our community around the world. The

question is not “Who” do we serve? It more appropriately should be “Who

don’t we serve?” To every nation, kindred, tribe and people!

Slide #8 – Surrounded by Risk…

Every organization must be aware of its surroundings and the

environment in which it will be conducting its activities. The church and its

ministries are no exception. The types of risk that can have a direct impact

on your ministry include the following list of exposures or hazards:

Natural Disasters – Storms, earthquakes, tsunamis etc…

Physical Injury – Bodily injury related to accident or illness

Financial Loss – to organization or personal funds

Criminal Actions – Vandalism, theft, burglary, riot or war

Personal Injury – Libel, slander or other forms of defamation

Employment Liabilities – Wrongful termination litigation,

discrimination, sexual harassment

Sexual Misconduct – Child abuse, sexual immorality between co-

workers, elder abuse

Litigious Climate – High cost of litigation in your area

Governmental Actions – Eminent domain, legal fines, or civil penalties

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Slide # 9 – How Do We Serve?

Once again consider the wide range of Adventist ministries and the

types of locations where they take place, the type of activity involved, and

the type of people being served each day: Building projects, evangelistic

outreach, medical/health ministries, Vacation Bible Schools, food banks,

elder care, after-school care, youth/children’s ministry activities, meals on

wheels, clothing distribution, disaster relief, thrift stores, and many more.

Look around and see the Adventist Church actively engaged in working to

help others.

Slide #10 – It Has Happened…

Accidents can occur at any time to any organization. Depending on

the nature of the incident and the cause of the accident or loss, legal

liability may result against your organization or the individuals directly

involved in the event.

Many types of accidents have occurred during ministries sponsored by

the Seventh-day Adventist Church. These incidents include:

Accidental Injuries – Bodily injuries to participants, staff members,

and volunteers can result in third-party liability for which the

organization may be legally liable for the medical expenses of the

injured. Often times these types of claims are cared for through

accidental medical or volunteer labor insurance programs.

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Paralyzing Injuries – Serious accidents that cause paralyzing bodily

injury may result in serious legal liability situations due to alleged

negligence on the part of the organization. These type of claims need

to be carefully evaluated by your insurance carrier to determine the

appropriate insurance that can provide either accidental

medical/disability coverage or respond with legal defense on behalf of

your organization.

Wrongful Deaths – When the accident causes a death an allegation of

negligence may bring litigation against the organization due to

improper supervision, lack of appropriate safety equipment, reckless

operation of vehicles or equipment or other causes. These types of

claims require defense counsel being provided for your organization

under the terms and conditions of a general liability insurance policy.

Sexual Misconduct Allegations – These situations can cause very

serious legal liability especially when it involves inappropriate

conduct between an adult staff member and/or volunteer and a child.

This type of incident must be reported to child protection or law

enforcement agencies in accordance with local laws. All church

organizations must be aware and comply with the child abuse

reporting statues in your area. Failure to report such incidents can

result in criminal as well as civil liability. Allegation of child abuse

can often lead to litigation and you should immediately report all

incidents of this nature to your liability insurance carrier to handle

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the investigation of the incident and prepare for the legal defense of

your organization. Full cooperation with law enforcement authorities

and defense counsel is expected at all times. The objective must

always be to protect a child from further harm and protect an adult

from any false allegations as well as minimizing the legal liability

against the Church.

Sexual Assaults – Incidents involving sexual assaults between adults

or children should always be reported immediately to law

enforcement authorities. Normally, this type of incident is criminal

conduct and not an accidental occurrence. However, the church may

be held legally liable for the resulting injuries because of the failure to

properly supervise the event where the incident occurred or failure to

protect those under the organization’s care from the harm caused by

the perpetrator of the sexual assault.

Defamation Lawsuits – This type of litigation should always be

reported immediately to your liability insurance company for

appropriate investigation and defense of your organization.

Devastating Fires and Natural Disasters – These kinds of losses

normally cause property damage claims. However, legal liability can

arise if your organization fails to have appropriate emergency

response plans ready for evacuation, sheltering in place, or other

forms of public safety, and individuals under your supervision are

injured as a result of your failure to be prepared.

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Third-party Property Damage Claims – These types of situations arise

when an activity or action under your control causes damage to the

property of another party. Report these incidents to your liability

insurance carrier to handle on your behalf.

Internal Theft – Incidents of financial impropriety, fraud, or

embezzlements all must be reported to local enforcement agencies to

protect the assets of church organizations. It is the organization’s

responsibility to investigate all suspected losses and prepare a proof

of loss (money, securities, or physical assets) to file with the insurance

company for consideration. Once reimbursement has been paid under

this insurance, restitution of stolen funds or property is the insurance

company’s responsibility. It is in the best interest of the organization

not to engage in negotiations with individuals who have stolen church

funds or property. The best module of action is to leave all recovery

efforts in the hands of the insurance company.

This is only a short list of the type of incidents that have occurred in

recent years involving church organizations. In all cases promptly report all

accidents and loss situations to your insurance carrier and engage legal

defense counsel when your organization has been sued or threatened with

pending litigation.

Slide #11 – The Potential Impact

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Whenever a loss occurs it has an impact on your organization. The

nature of the impact has several facets beyond the obvious. Too often we

look at a loss like viewing an iceberg and we only see the small portion that

is visible above the surface. It is what lurks beneath the surface that can

cause serious harm to your organization if the situation is not properly

handled at the time the loss occurs. What might these impacts include?

Loss of Assets

Human Resources – Bodily injury, illness, or even death

Physical Resources – Damage or destruction of buildings,

property, vehicles, or equipment

Financial Resources – Loss of monies either by the organization

or individuals

Loss of Confidence in Church Leadership – Distrust of those in charge

of the ministry

Loss of Support – Financially or decline in participants or volunteers

who provide this ministry service

Detraction From Achievement of Mission – Time taken away from

conducting the ministry due to personal involvement investigating or

the litigation to defend the organization from liability

Slide #12 – Risk Management

The practice of managing risk is divided into three distinct processes:

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Risk Identification – Analyzing the potential risks or hazards that

could cause a loss

Risk Control – Prevention strategies, taking pro-active steps to

prevent or minimize a loss

Risk Financing – Making an informed decision to either transfer the

financial impact or self-insure

We will now look at each of these three steps on an individual basis to

learn more about the elements included in each of these areas.

Slide #13 – Risk Identification

a) Identifying hazards which could cause injury or loss to organizational

assets

First, take a detailed look at the potential risks and hazards in

which your organization is conducting its activities—the

possible things that could go wrong in this environment.

b) Identifying the value of assets at risk (Don’t forget “People.”)

Second, establish appropriate values of buildings, vehicles,

equipment, and contents used in each ministry activity. These

values are important in establishing appropriate levels of

insurance. Also evaluate the key human resources that are

required to conduct each activity on a balanced basis with

appropriate levels of supervision, workers, and required safety

practices.

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c) Assessing the environment in which your organization operates

How might your ministry be impacted by environmental

elements, i.e. criminal activities, hazardous materials, or

conditions in the nearby area, or what might happen if you lost

specific community-provided services i.e. police, fire, or utility-

related services.

d) Making informed decisions on the level of risk your organization is

willing to accept

As you evaluate the risks and environment in which you are

about to conduct your ministry, ask this question: Can we

conduct this ministry on a safe and secure basis? If not, why

not, and what actions are required to make it safe for

participants, workers, and volunteers? If your risk assessment

is too high, serious consideration must be given to either delay

or cancel the activity until it can be conducted within the

tolerance of the organization.

Each of these actions is an essential part of risk assessment and

identification. The better your assessment of the conditions you may face

before the organization undertakes the activity the higher potential there is

for the activity to be conducted on a safe and successful basis.

Slide #14 – Plan Ahead

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Wisdom on the importance of making plans ahead of engaging in an

event can be found in these words from King Solomon:

Hasty plans and decisions can result in devastating losses. – Proverbs

21:4, ABV (Arthur Blinci’s Paraphrased Version)

“Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in a multitude of

counselors there is safety.” – Proverbs 11:14, NKJV

Slide #15-16 – Strategic Ministry

Planning must be a strategic part of every ministry. This is a critical

lesson that church leaders too often overlook. All too often apothecial

thinking becomes the mindset of church leaders – “God wouldn’t allow that

to happen during our ministry” or “Heavenly angels will protect us from all

harm” tends to overshadow the fact that Satan is a “roaring lion” seeking

whomever he can devour! Poor planning on your part as a church leader

can result in tragic accidents which often cause serious financial loss or

bring liability to the Church.

Marvin Rienke, President (Retired) of the YMCA Services Corporation

in the United States made the following statement during a risk

management conference with faith-based and non-profit leaders: “The

genesis of many accidents takes place in the Boardroom…” What is meant

by this statement? During his time as YMCA Services president the

organization studied the root cause of the accidents which were occurring

in their organization. Far too often the YMCA learned that an accident

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resulted due to poor planning, the failure to make appropriate maintenance

decisions on a timely basis, or lack of appropriate levels of supervision.

Typically, in each of these situations the governing board was the group

responsible for planning the event, establishing the levels of supervision, or

authorizing the expenditure of funds for maintenance or replacement of

physical assets. The same can be said within the Seventh-day Adventist

Church at our churches, schools, and community centers.

Strategic thinking occurs when church leaders are willing to take the

following actions:

Planning Ahead – Don’t allow ministry activities to just occur

without appropriate planning and approvals.

Planning the Details – Don’t rubber stamp approvals. Review and

require a detailed plan of the activity.

Planning for Emergencies – Does the proposed plan include details

on how to handle emergency situations: accidents, natural disasters,

medical situations, mechanical breakdowns?

Planning for Contingencies – Does the plan include redundancies in

the event Plan A fails to meet the situation? Does the organization

have extra emergency funds readily on hand to respond as needed?

Being willing to “Just Say NO or Wait” – One of the most difficult

decisions is to take an action that the organization is not prepared to

engage in a given activity or event. The church too often wants to be

all things to all people all the time! This is a very dangerous way to

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conduct ministry. Well thought out plans sometimes lead to a

decision to say the prudent thing: “No” or postpone until a later date.

Slide #17 – Risk Control

The heart of risk management is found in risk control. If your

organization is pro-active in managing its risk and controlling situations

that can lead to accidents or loss, much suffering can be adverted and

thousands of dollars saved each year for more ministry-related purposes.

Remember having insurance Does Not prevent a loss or accident from

occurring. Being pro-active in risk control practice can! How can you

manage risk?

a) Avoidance of the risk

Re-schedule – Take the appropriate steps to delay an activity

until it can be done safely.

Do not undertake – Make the decision that the risks are too

great for this type of activity.

Transfer to someone else – Engage another better-equipped

organization to conduct the activity for your organization or on

your behalf.

b) Minimization of the Hazard

Detailed evaluation and planning – The better the planning, the

better will be the ultimate results.”

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Compliance with Regulations and Safety Standards – Be aware

and comply with all local and governmental laws, codes, and

safety regulations at all times.

Protective equipment and training – Never engage in an activity

without the appropriate or required safety equipment, training,

or required supervision.

Change the activity to prevent loss – If the identified hazards or

risk is too great, what are the appropriate corrective actions

needed to conduct the activity safely? Be willing to make

adjustments as necessary.

Slide #18 – Facility Protection & Safety Awareness

Risk control includes facility protection and ongoing safety awareness.

Take time to check your facilities and surrounding property for un-safe

conditions or un-safe working practices of employees or volunteers. Take

the appropriate corrective measures by repairing and properly maintaining

your facilities and equipment. Conduct safety training of staff as needed

and use safety awareness signs to warn of potential dangers until they can

be corrected. Being pro-active in this area can prevent accidents and un-

necessary injuries.

Slide #19 – Identification of Hazards

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As part of your risk control program look for potential hazards that

could lead to an accident or loss and take appropriate corrective measures,

or be prepared to respond in the event of an emergency. Hazards can

include:

Slips, Trips & Falls – Correct conditions that could cause injury to

employees, volunteers and guests.

Electrical Shock – Repair or discontinue the use of electrical

equipment which is in an unsafe condition.

Fire – Have appropriate fire extinguishers in the facility and have

evacuation plans in place in the event of a fire emergency.

Windstorms – Make sure proper maintenance is done on roofs and

trim low hanging branches that could cause damage. Be sure you

have either a sheltering plan or evacuation plan in the event of a

tornado or hurricane. Monitor weather service alerts and warnings.

Snow & Ice – Promptly remove all build ups of snow and ice from the

premises including sidewalks, stairs, roadways, parking lots, and

roofs. Use grit materials to minimize the potential for slips and falls.

Earthquake – Be sure you have a sheltering plan and emergency

preparedness supplies are ready.

Poisoning – Have emergency medical response telephone numbers

posted and seek immediate care.

Proper Lighting – Install adequate perimeter lighting to allow for

safety at night to illuminate unsafe conditions and provide security to

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your premises. Have operational emergency lighting indoors in

accordance with local ordinances and building codes.

Security of Premises – Use appropriate levels of exterior lighting,

gated fencing, and other means of security services, as needed, to

minimize vandalism, theft, and other criminal activities on your

premises.

Food Handling – Make sure appropriate health laws and food serving

requirements are being followed at all times. Maintain food at

appropriate temperatures and in proper storage conditions. Dispose

of spoiled and/or out-dated food supplies immediately in the

appropriate manner.

Slide #20 - #1 Cause of Accidents

Slips, trips, and falls are the number one cause of accidents at

Adventist facilities around the world. Be alert and take appropriate

corrective measures to correct conditions that can cause injury to others. It

is normally easy to take corrective measures that can prevent slip, trip, and

fall type accidents before they occur.

Slide #21 – Common Electrical Hazards

Electrical hazards are very dangerous and can cause serious bodily

injury. Organizations need to take caution to avoid the overloading of

electrical circuits which can cause fires, damage to equipment, and other

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types of injuries or losses. Extension cords and electric power strips are to

be used as a temporary means to extend power over a short distance. Care

should be used to prevent tripping hazards. The use of power cords in

areas where water is present should be avoided due to the hazard of serious

injury caused by electrical shock.

Slide #22 – Electrical Safety

Additional cautions associated with electrical safety include:

Carefully check the conditions of all extension cords. Replace damaged

or frayed cords immediately.

Install Ground Fault Outlets in areas where moisture is present—near

sinks and outdoor water faucets.

Turn off electrical power whenever you work on electrical systems or

equipment.

All electrical repairs and equipment maintenance at church facilities should

be done by properly licensed and insured electricians or contractors.

Slide #23 – Are You a Lighthouse?

Adequate exterior and interior lighting is an important consideration

in all facilities to enhance safety and security through your property.

Security lighting is one of the best cost effective measures to deter criminal

activities and provide appropriate illumination to promote safety throughout

the evening hours. Emergency light should also be provided throughout the

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interior areas of all buildings to assist in the evacuation of premises due to a

loss of regular electrical power. Lighting should be checked and

maintained in working condition at all times.

Slide #24 – Safety Officer or Team

No single individual can effectively manage the risks of an

organization; it requires a team effort. Good safety programs are

established and led by an appointed safety officer or safety committee that

takes responsibility for creating safety awareness, loss prevention, and risk

management throughout the organization. Key elements of a safety

program include:

Review your organization’s safety practices and policies

Conduct periodic facilities reviews & self-inspection

Arrange safety training for staff and volunteers

Reviews all accidents or losses that occur throughout the year

Promotes safety during all ministry activities

Stays current on best safety practices

Slide #25 – Safety Equipment

It is the responsibility of each organization to provide all participants,

staff, and volunteers with the appropriate safety equipment for the type of

activity. Care must be taken to be sure all safety equipment is maintained

in proper condition and that it fits each individual appropriately. Caution

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tape and/or barriers should be used to identify and secure areas of unsafe

conditions until they can be corrected.

Slide #26 – Workplace Safety Toolkit

All work related accidents and injuries should be promptly reported to

the organization’s workers’ compensation or volunteer labor insurance

carrier. It is the organization’s responsibility to have all injured staff or

volunteers receive appropriate medical care as soon as possible after an

injury occurs. Workplace safety also includes appropriate safety training of

all staff members and volunteers. An excellent resource on workplace

safety and other risk management/loss prevention topics are available

through the Nonprofit Risk Management Center. Visit their website to

learn of the many resources available including the free “Workplace Safety

Toolkit” at www.nonprofitrisk.org.

Slide #27 – Adventistrisk.org Website

Adventist Risk Management also provides numerous risk management

resources free at their website: www.adventistrisk.org. You can subscribe

to a free electronic newsletter, eSolutions, that will keep you up-to-date on

various risk management topics throughout the year. Other useful risk

control resources in four languages can be discovered under the Resource

Gateway section of this website.

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Slide #28 – Our Challenge

Your organization’s ministries can have either a positive or negative

impact on the community in which it serves. Well managed ministries, with

appropriate plans and good safety practices can be a tremendous influence

for good throughout the world. Listen to these challenging words:

“When a well-run business applies its vast resources, expertise, and

management talent to problems that it understands and in which it has a

stake, it can have a greater impact on social good than any other institution

or philanthropic organization” Porter & Kramer, Harvard Business Review,

December 2006, p. 92

Are the ministries sponsored by your organization making this type of

positive impact?

Slide #29-30 – Creating the Magnificent

Dr. Ken Blanchard is the author of best-selling leadership books – The

One Minute Manger, Leading at a Higher Level, and Lead Like Jesus. They

expand on the challenge organizations have to create responsibility within

their organization or ministry that brings the best out of those who have

dedicated their time and talents in service to a greater good. Believing that

servant leadership is the best form of management, Dr. Blanchard

challenges all leaders to put others first and to create a team that can

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change the world. Listen to these words and see how you can emulate them

in your leadership practices and ministries:

“I think people want to be magnificent. It is the job of a ministry

leader to bring out the magnificence in people and to create an

environment where they feel safe and supported and ready to do the

best job possible in accomplishing key goals. This responsibility is a

sacred trust that should not be violated. The opportunity to guide

others to their fullest potential is an honor and one that should not be

taken lightly. As leaders, we hold the lives of others in our hands.

These hands need to be gentle and caring and always available for

support.”

Dr. Ken Blanchard

Are you up to this challenge? Do you think you can make this type of

difference in the lives of those you lead or touch through ministry? The

prescription for this type of success is 100% biblically-based. It can be

described as a Three S Model for ministry leaders. It is based on the

principles of using active stewardship as you provide leadership in ministry

programs and activities.

Slide #31 – The Three S Model of Servant Leadership

Let’s view your organization as a house whose goal it is to provide

Christ-centered mission driven ministries:

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What must be your organization’s Foundation? Strong Relationships

with key stakeholders built on TRUST.

How do you then provide leadership to achieve your mission and

cultivate the necessary level of trust with your community, staff, volunteers,

and those people to whom you serve? Jesus shows us the power of this

Three S Model in Action as we daily relate with one another and others

around us we are called to be a…

Steward – We are responsible to care for all of the Lord’s

resources that have been entrusted to our care and keeping.

Shepherd – As a leader it is our responsibility to properly plan all

activities in such a manner that those we serve will be supported

and kept safe throughout their experience with our organization.

Servant – As a ministry leader we must always remember it not

about “me” –it’s all about serving others! Remember the question

the disciples were arguing over: “Who will be the greatest?”

Jesus answered it by saying: “But he who is the greatest among

you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be

humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew

23:11-12). Providing selfless service to others is the key to true

success and greatness.

Slide #32 – Stewardship in Action

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You have been called to be a leader in Christian ministry. A leader

must always remember the assets entrusted to their care include:

People, Property, and Finances. These are not ours to keep. They are

only on loan from the Master to care and keep until He returns. Let’s

review the key principles found again in Christ’s parable of the

Talents found in Matthew 25:14-30:

Stewardship is a relationship based on trust.

This relationship requires each of us to perform a role of service to

others.

We must be willing to accept this role and become responsible.

This responsibility requires us to perform our duty to God and to

others.

The Master will conduct a review of how we conducted ourselves

and perform these duties.

We will be held personally accountable for the results and receive

our just reward.

Risk management is likewise a part of our “Stewardship”

responsibilities in your service to the Church, personal life, and to others.

Stewardship must be a part of all ministries conducted by the Seventh-day

Adventist Church. Jesus teaches that “Stewardship” is biblical principles

being applied to 21st Century situations.

Slide #33 – Our Commitment

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Therefore, risk management is a Ministry of Active Stewardship. It is

an essential part of the Lord’s caring ministry on this earth today as we

demonstrate care and concern for our church and community by

anticipating and controlling the risks which threaten our safety, assets, or

resources. Will you join us in making risk management a part of your

ministry too?

Slide #34 – Focus on Risk Control

Remember Risk Management requires both you and your organization

to:

1) Focus on controlling Risks that could impact your ministries.

2) Requires commitment on the part of its leaders.

3) Can make a real difference in preventing accidents and injuries.

4) Helps to conserve scarce financial resources in challenging times.

5) Ultimately helps both you and your organization achieve its

mission.

Simply stated – “Risk Management” – is a caring ministry of active

stewardship.

Slide #35 – Questions & Further Information

If you have specific questions concerning the issues presented in this

seminar you can contact:

Arthur F. Blinci, Vice President – Adventist Risk Management, Inc.Telephone: (888) 951-4276 or Email: ablinci@adventistrisk.org

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Additional Information on risk management related topics associated

with faith-based ministries and nonprofit organizations can be found at the

following organizational websites that provide electronic newsletters,

publications, and other helpful resources:

www.Adventistrisk.org

Adventist Risk Management, Inc.12501 Old Columbia PikeSilver Spring, MD 20904(888) 951-4276

www.Nonprofitrisk.org

Nonprofit Risk Management Center15 N. King Street – Suite 203Leesburg, VA 20176(202) 785-3891

Bibliography List

Exposed – A Legal Field Guide; Mark Chopko and Melanie Herman, © 2009, Nonprofit Risk Management Center, ISBN B003K08964.

Leading at a Higher Level; Ken Blanchard and Associates, ©2007, Prentice Hall,ISBN 0-13-234772-5.

Lead Like Jesus; Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges, ©2005, W Publishing Group, ISBN 0-8499-0040-9.

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Managing Risk in Nonprofit Organizations; Melanie Herman, George Head, Peggy Jackson, and Toni Fogarty, ©2004, John Wiley and Sons, ISBN 0-471-23674-8.

No Surprises: Harmonizing Risk and Reward in Volunteer Management – 5th Edition; ©2009, Nonprofit Risk Management Center, ISBN 1893210235.

The Most Loving Place in Town; Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges, ©2008, Thomas Nelson, ISBN 978-0-7852-2893-6.

Ready or Not – A Risk Management Guide for Nonprofit Executives; ©2009, Nonprofit Risk Management Center, ISBN 1893210251.

The Season of Hope: A Risk Management Guide for Youth Serving Nonprofits; John Patterson and Barbara Oliver, ©2002, Nonprofit Risk Management Center, ISBN 1893210030.

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