WFX Charlotte to Offer Special Pastors Training and Workshops this Fall

Worship Facilities Conference & Expo (WFX) announces Pastors Programming at the WFX Charlotte tradeshow, Oct. 27-30, 2009, at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C.

Co-presented by Xpastor.org, Church Solutions Group and Cornerstone Knowledge Network, Pastors Programming is designed to help pastors and church leaders glean strategies on how to identify, plan for and achieve growth for churches of all sizes. Church leaders will also learn to strengthen the stewardship of technology and facilities investments, and get the latest research on trends that should steer their planning.

Some of the WFX Charlotte Pastors Programming opportunities include:

Applying the Best from the Business World to the Needs of the Church
Wed., Oct. 28, 11 a.m – 3 p.m.
David Fletcher, founder and host of XPastor.org, Jeff Lawrence, pastor of Chatham Community Church in Pittsboro, N.C., and Rick Bezet, pastor of New Life Church in Conway, Ark., will lead an in-depth discussion of Question Zero, a concept developed by Harvard Business School that centers on the fact that everything revolves around the mission statement and vision of an organization.

Church and Technology ... Enhancements, Distractions & Lessons Learned, Part 1
Thurs., Oct. 29, 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Attendees will join teams of pastors and their technical directors for breakfast and a panel discussion that addresses how they are able to work together to identify and achieve higher results. They will explore what they have found to work (or not work) to strengthen the relationship and understanding of the common goal—delivering the message.

Understanding Your Technical Director, Part 2a
Thurs., Oct. 29, 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
This workshop is designed for pastors looking to gain a better understanding of how their technical team prepares for weekend services. This panel discussion will be moderated by Bruce Smith of Church Solutions Group.

Straight Talk from Senior Pastors, Part 2b
Thurs., Oct. 29, 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
This workshop is designed for technical directors who are seeking to understand the visions of their senior leaders. This panel discussion will also be moderated by Bruce Smith of Church Solutions Group.

Cutting-Edge Research and Trends that Will Affect Your Church
Fri., Oct. 30, 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
One essential key to ministry success for church leaders is aligning their facilities with their ministry. This interactive training session for senior and executive pastors will make use of research findings and provide tools to understand how to clarify their unique calling; understand how churched and unchurched people assess church facilities; and understand the various ways churches are adding more ministry space, and how each one affects costs, staffing and outreach.

WFX is hosted by Church Production and Worship Facilities magazines and EH Events. The event, now in its fifth year, brings together over 3,500 church and industry leaders and over 200 exhibitors to guide facilities and technology investments and opportunities for houses of worship. Access to the Pastors Programming is included with the Conference Package for senior pastors, executive pastors, and other senior leadership. Additional sign-up is required. Advance registration savings are available through September 25. Complete information is available online at http://www.wfxweb.com/registration or by calling (800) 598-6031.

www.wfxweb.com

Churches at Risk: Mid-Year Crime Report Highlights Loss of Life and Property

The Christian Security Network of Cincinnati has released a new report, "Crimes Against Christian Organizations in the United States." The report finds that of the 17 violent crimes reported by Christian churches so far in 2009, six resulted in homicides. Additionally, churches suffered more than $6.3 million in property loss due to burglary, theft, robbery, arson and vandalism.

2009 marks the first year the Christian Security Network started tracking incidents of violence, theft and other criminal acts against churches, an effort believed to be the first ongoing tracking system to systematically record and categorize crimes against Christian churches and organizations.

Nearly 500 incidents in 42 states are documented in "Crimes Against Christian Organizations in the United States." According to the report, burglary accounted for 64% of the crimes against churches, a devastating blow for many churches already impacted by losses due to the economic downturn.

Arson and general theft were the second and third most common crimes, accounting for 13% and 7% of the incidents respectively.

"It's not mandatory that churches report these crimes to any governmental agency, which greatly contributes to the lack of data and statistics available on crimes against churches," says Jeffrey Hawkins, executive director of the Christian Security Network. "While we've attempted to put together a comprehensive report on these crimes, we also understand many churches do not report criminal activities because of their stance on forgiveness or fear of public embarrassment. We estimate the number of burglaries is probably five to six times greater than the number reported."

For more information about the Christian Security Network, including a full schedule of upcoming security and emergency preparedness seminars for churches, visit www.christiansecuritynetwork.org.

www.christiansecuritynetwork.org

”Fan into Flame“ Campaign Breaks $50-Million Mark

"Fan into Flame," a capital campaign to support The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod's (LCMS) Ablaze! mission movement, passed the $50-million mark in gifts and pledges raised towards its $100-million goal. Since the campaign's authorization by the St. Louis-based LCMS convention in 2004, more than 7,000 individuals and 850 congregations have contributed nearly 20,000 gifts—including more than $23 million in cash.

The LCMS is organized into 35 districts across the country, and the campaign has unfolded district by district since 2005. As the campaign moves into its final phase, the most populous LCMS districts are now engaged. Decisions also are expected from a number of individuals on significant major gifts. Despite the economy, gifts and pledges in the fourth quarter of 2008 and all of 2009 are the highest of the campaign, the LCMS reports.

"Fan into Flame" funds support the specific objectives of Ablaze!—planting 2,000 new congregations, renewing the mission vision of 2,000 existing congregations, increasing the number of career missionaries on the foreign mission field by 50%, and increasing support for the Synod's 30 partner churches around the world.

www.lcmsworldmission.org  |  www.lcms.org

Domusstudio Helps Church Preserve the Past, Build for the Future

San Diego's Domusstudio Architecture is helping Village Community Presbyterian Church in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., preserve a part of its past in the construction of a new chapel. Photo courtesy of Domusstudio Architecture.

Fifty years and countless memories of baptisms, weddings and Sunday services are being preserved at the Village Community Presbyterian Church in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. Currently in the midst of construction on a new sanctuary and chapel, the church has saved portions of its original worship space to meld with the new.

"A design integrating the old and the new was a strong desire of the church," says Associate David Keitel of San Diego-based Domusstudio Architecture. "By creating a small [120-seat] chapel from what was once the church's main worship space, an important tie to the past is maintained."

For more information, see www.domusstudio.com.

What Your Church Insurance Might Not Cover

By Patrick M. Moreland, CPCU

Patrick Moreland, vice president of marketing, Church Mutual Insurance Co., Merrill, WI

Even in a tight economy, property and liability insurance remains one of the least flexible items in a church's budget, as uninsured losses become even more difficult to pay out of pocket.

Here are 20 "less than obvious" things to look for in your insurance. The list is not exhaustive, but gives you a start when reviewing your policies. Most of these exposures are insurable, but usually are not standard.

Property

• Back-up of sewers and drains can damage carpeting, walls, files, and furniture. Key: Many policies limit or exclude it.
• Your mortgage payment doesn't stop because a fire makes your facility unusable for months. Key: You may need to rent a building, organ, and other equipment, which might add to your operating costs. Also, consider the impact of lost rental income or tuition fees, if applicable.
• Building ordinances—such as those pertaining to construction type and handicapped accommodations—restrict how you may repair or rebuild a heavily damaged building. Key: This can lead to costly (and potentially uninsured) modifications or even force you to demolish undamaged portions.
• Inadequate limits of insurance affect how much you receive for a total loss, and also can affect what you receive for partial losses. This is called "coinsurance." Either request an "agreed amount" endorsement or set your limit high enough (80% to 90% of full value) to avoid a penalty. Key: If your building is totaled, you'll wish you had insured for 100% of the replacement value!
• Claims may be settled on a replacement cost or actual cash value (depreciated) basis. Key: If you would replace a destroyed building or its contents, insure at replacement cost. If not, consider a lower actual cash value limit.
• If there is coverage for your pastor's books, sermons, vestments and computer kept at your facility, the limit likely is low. Key: Your pastor needs homeowners or renters insurance to cover personal belongings and for personal and family liability protection.
• Most policies provide little coverage for personal property of visitors and employees. Key: For the most part, they need to rely on their homeowners/renters insurance.
• Some policies limit coverage for broken glass. Key: If the value of your windows exceeds your policy's limitations, you'll want "full" glass coverage.
• Flood and earthquake are usually not covered. Key: Insure for these potentially devastating perils if you are in an area subject to them.
• Maintenance problems, such as a leaky basement or roof—and the damage they cause—are generally not insurable.

Liability

• Sexual misconduct and molestation coverage is essential. Key: Accusations, whether founded or not, can arise at any organization.
• General liability policies do not protect your board for lawsuits alleging errors and omissions. Key: Consider a Directors and Officers Liability Policy.
• Standard policies rarely cover pastoral counseling. Key: Some specialty companies offer coverage.
• Harassment, discrimination and wrongful termination legal actions are rising. Key: You need employment practices liability insurance.
• Liability and medical expense coverage should apply at or away from your church. Key: If your ministry extends to foreign lands, consider international travel insurance.
• "Medical expense" insurance may be "primary," which pays from dollar one, or "excess," which pays after an injured person's other available insurance responds. Key: Whichever you purchase, be sure it covers your members, guests and volunteers, and that sports-related injuries are included.
• Your best protection for employee dishonesty is a bond that covers employees and volunteers who are entrusted with church funds or other property. Key: Don't think only of weekly offerings or your current bank balance; tens of thousands of dollars can be stolen over a long period of time.
• If you use someone else's building, you may be legally responsible for damage you cause to it and you can buy "property damage legal liability" coverage. Key: You also should require those who use your facility to provide evidence of insurance or even to name you on their policy.
• When you rent or borrow a vehicle, or ask someone to drive on behalf of your church, you create a liability exposure that can be insured through hired and non-owned auto liability coverage. Key: Let your volunteers know that their liability insurance is primary when they drive their vehicle on your behalf. And that, in most cases, damage to their vehicle is covered only by their own insurance.

Employee Injuries

• Most states require churches to carry workers' compensation insurance. Even where it is not required, the benefits set by your state generally must still be paid to your employees. Key: Your state's workers' compensation bureau probably considers your pastor to be an employee even though you and the IRS may not.

Patrick Moreland is vice president of marketing with Church Mutual Insurance Co. in Merrill, Wis.

www.churchmutual.com