Worker classification is an important legal matter. Learn to determine which of your workers must be treated as employees versus who might be an independent contractor. Know the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act and whether each of your employees is nonexempt or exempt.

Your directory or online membership database is a powerful connection tool for your members and friends. But it also has the potential to be misused or abused.

Safety policies help to prevent interpersonal harm as well as safeguards for your assets such as money and building.

While the requirements for membership are in your bylaws, you also need policies ithat define participation, financial support, etc.

Ideally, policies guiding the minister, staff, and ministry teams come out of mutual conversations to create clarity around roles, responsibilities, and accountability. Ministry policies should feel collaborative and serve to guide ongoing programs and future decisions.

Safety policies are especially important to have in place before you need them, so they can be thoughtful without the anxiety of a current safety situation.

When your congregation is developing or revisiting "guiding documents" for leaders that are endorsed by the congregation as a whole (e.g....

For congregations that own a parsonage, consider the possibilities as well as implications for structuring a ministerial agreement.

The Safer Congregations Committee is responsible for the overall oversight of the safety ministry and is accountable to the Board. With the Board, the Committee formulates the mission and vision of the safety ministry.

Personnel Committees don't hire, manage or supervise staff. Instead they advise the board and the senior minister on best practices.