Author: Hannah Bolick

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Posts by Hannah Bolick

Essential Insurance Insights: Critical Topics for Youth & Community Service

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In a time when organizations dedicated to serving youth and vulnerable community members are more vital than ever, ensuring the organization’s own long-term stability and protection is paramount. A crucial, often challenging, aspect of this stability is securing adequate Sexual Abuse or Molestation Liability (SML) coverage.

The insurance market for SML has been “hardening”— coverage is becoming more limited, more expensive, and harder to obtain. This trend directly impacts the ability of nonprofits, schools, religious organizations, youth sports leagues, camps, and other community-serving entities to operate with confidence and financial security.

“Let the Children Come”: A Vision for the Church to Value and Protect the Lives of Children

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Jesus’ words still echo through time: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14). These words were not just a gentle invitation—they were a command. A command to the Church to make room, to open arms, to clear the way. Yet in too many places, we’ve allowed hindrances to remain. We’ve allowed silence, fear, neglect, and even abuse to take root where there should be protection, joy, and peace.

Insurance and Accountability (Part 2): A Return to the Biblical Principles of Stewardship and Justice

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When the Bible and prayer were removed from public schools in the early 1960s, secular humanism filled the void. Over time, the influence of Greek philosophy and worldly ideologies seeped back into the church—just as in Paul’s day—lulling believers into thinking life can flourish apart from God’s commands. Ken Ham reminds us that Genesis 1–11 outlines both righteous judgment and the futility of hiding from God. A generation raised without a biblical worldview inevitably produces leaders unprepared to deal with sin, resulting in weak protocols and poor accountability in the church.

Insurance and Accountability (Part 1): Examining the Causes of the Abuse Crisis in Churches

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It is no secret that houses of worship are unfortunately engaged in a blistering crisis of adult and child sexual abuse. Beyond the atrocity of the abuse itself, some churches are increasingly guilty of concealing abuse and of placing unbiblical trust in man’s systems rather than God’s Word. Many American churches appear to be caught up in the postmodern culture of “my truth,” giving subjective feelings more authority than objective,

Resilient Discipleship: Why Readiness Matters for the Church Today

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In recent months, tragic headlines have reminded us again that churches are not immune to risk. From violence and fire to medical emergencies and storms, disruption often arrives without warning. Yet too often, churches either avoid the conversation out of fear or delegate responsibility to a small team of volunteers. The result is that when crisis comes, congregations are left unprepared, anxious, and distracted from their calling. 

Responding to Child-on-Child Sexual Misconduct

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While abuse of a child by an adult is terrible, it’s usually straightforward to evaluate what is happening. But what about sexual misconduct between children? Is it always abuse? No. Is it always illegal? No. And what should we do about it? The impact on children’s lives is not measured by whether the actions are abuse or a crime—so we must take it seriously.[1]

As we evaluate how to respond, it may help to use as an example several common situations. We’ll take the perspective of behavior that is discovered by a church or ministry, but parents will also have to evaluate situations they uncover.

Confidential Church Communications and Mandated Reporters

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In every state, the law requires that certain professionals immediately report to authorities suspicions that a child has suffered abuse.  If you are a pastor, elder, deacon, or other leader in your church and are informed of a situation in which a child may have suffered abuse, what are your obligations to report what you have learned? 

 If your congregation has given you authority and responsibility over a church and its members, the answer is likely not a simple one and will depend on the state in which you live, your role in the church, and how you learned about the situation.

The Path Forward – Repentance & Accountability

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When misconduct allegations surface, the clock starts ticking. Phones buzz, social media erupts, and the very people a congregation longs to protect begin asking hard questions. In those first frantic minutes, improvisation invites confusion; preparation invites clarity. Our churches—already under a media microscope for their handling of abuse—must have a plan in place long before a pastor’s phone lights up at midnight, even if the allegations are false. 

From Scramble to Strategy: How SBC Churches can Pre-Game a PR Crisis

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When misconduct allegations surface, the clock starts ticking. Phones buzz, social media erupts, and the very people a congregation longs to protect begin asking hard questions. In those first frantic minutes, improvisation invites confusion; preparation invites clarity. Our churches—already under a media microscope for their handling of abuse—must have a plan in place long before a pastor’s phone lights up at midnight, even if the allegations are false. 

NOTE: The information contained here is general in nature and is not intended to be legal advice. The Southern Baptist Convention encourages each church to consult with legal counsel when implementing local policies and practices.