ChurchWest Insurance Services

Live Scan requirements for California ministries are changing and understanding what’s required now can help avoid compliance gaps later.

ChurchWest is partnering with Church HR Network to host a webinar on recent CalVECHS updates and the new Federal RAP Back service, including deadlines, enrollment requirements, and re‑fingerprinting considerations for long‑standing ministries.

We invite ministry leaders and administrators responsible for background screening to join us.

Register here: https://go.churchwest.com/Mandatory_Live_Scan_Updates

Church insurance can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re not sure what coverage actually matters.

We put together a 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘆𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 to help ministry leaders understand the core coverages churches need, the insurance buying process, identify common gaps that create risk, and ask better questions before renewing or shopping for insurance

If you’re responsible for protecting your church’s people, property, and mission, this guide is a practical place to start.
👉 Read the guide: https://go.churchwest.com/buyers_guide_to_insurance

Recent court rulings are changing how the ministerial exception is applied, with real impacts on hiring, employee roles, and daily ministry practices. This is something ministry leaders can’t afford to overlook.

To help ministry leaders navigate these changes, we’re hosting a 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿: 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟭𝟱 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟬:𝟬𝟬 𝗮.𝗺. (𝗣𝗧)

In this session, we’ll review recent Ninth Circuit decisions and share practical guidance on updating job descriptions and handbooks to reflect your ministry’s mission better.

If you’re responsible for HR, governance, or leadership decisions, this is a timely conversation you won’t want to miss.

Register here: https://go.churchwest.com/Ministerial_Exception_Webinar

AI tools are transforming how ministry teams work, from drafting communications to generating graphics. But without clear guardrails, churches face real risks, including confidentiality breaches, copyright exposure, inaccurate information, and the erosion of human connection.

That’s why we created an editable AI use policy template for ministries. This template gives your leadership team a practical framework you can adopt immediately. It’s designed to help your ministry harness the benefits of AI while protecting confidentiality, reducing legal risk, and preserving authentic fellowship.

𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗜 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://go.churchwest.com/ai-in-ministry

When a pastor or staff member can no longer work due to illness or injury, the church faces the weighty responsibility of providing care during an uncertain season.

Many ministry leaders assume disability insurance isn’t required for churches, and in many cases, that’s true. But not required doesn’t mean not necessary.

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 provides reliable protection for your staff and ministry by replacing income during health setbacks, easing leadership's burden of ad hoc decisions, and ensuring stability in uncertain times.

Read the full article to learn what ministry leaders should know about disability insurance and how to evaluate coverage responsibly: https://go.churchwest.com/are-churches-required-to-have-disability-insurance

California’s requirements for church security have undergone a significant shift with the passage of 𝗦𝗕 𝟭𝟰𝟱𝟰. As a result, many ministries may need to reassess how their security personnel, volunteers, and third‑party providers are structured and trained.

To help church leaders navigate these changes, we’re hosting a 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 with our partners at Church HR Network 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟬:𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗠.

During this session, we’ll walk through what SB 1454 means for churches today, including how to approach security staffing and training in a way that is both safe and compliant.

If your ministry currently has a security team or is considering one, this webinar will provide clarity and practical guidance.

Read the full article here: https://go.churchwest.com/SB1454Webinar

Technology streamlines ministry operations, from managing donor data and online giving to improving internal processes, but it also brings new risks.

Many churches assume their insurance will respond to a cyber incident, only to discover after a loss that they are underinsured or not covered at all.

This article outlines 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝘄𝗲ll.

Read the full article here: https://go.churchwest.com/church-cyber-insurance

New legislation is shaping how ministries are expected to prepare, respond, and document their 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀. Leadership teams that haven’t revisited their plans may be carrying more risk than they realize.

Join us for our upcoming webinar 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟭𝟴𝘁𝗵, where we’ll break down SB 1454: what the law requires, how it impacts ministries, and what removing long-standing exemptions means for your security staff and volunteers.

Register today https://go.churchwest.com/SB1454Webinar

Our recent webinar on SB 294, the Workplace Know Your Rights Act, is now available to watch on demand.

In this session, we covered:
• Who does the SB 294 law apply to
• Required employee notices for ministries
• How the law impacts ministries
• Practical next steps to remain compliant

Whether you joined us live or are watching for the first time, this webinar provides clear, practical guidance for ministry leaders navigating compliance changes.

Click the link below to watch the webinar.
https://go.churchwest.com/SB-294-Webinar

California’s new labor law is now in effect, and ministries must take action to remain compliant. Join us for a concise overview of SB 294, officially known as the Workplace Know Your Rights Act.

In this webinar, we’ll break down what this new law means specifically for religious organizations. We’ll walk through the required employee notices, highlight key compliance considerations, and share practical steps you can take now to ensure your ministry is prepared and confident moving forward.

Webinar Details
Date: Wednesday, February 18th
Time: 10:00 AM PST
Format: Live Webinar + Q&A
Register here: https://go.churchwest.com/SB294Webinar

Don't let new regulations distract you from your calling. Get the clarity you need to move your mission forward.