Employee benefits play a critical role in helping ministry staff stay healthy, supported, and committed to their calling -- yet many ministries assume meaningful coverage is out of reach. Jestin Davis, Employee Benefits Director for Lightwell Insurance Advisors in Ohio, breaks down what makes a strong benefits package for ministries, no matter the size or budget. Jestin explains the three foundational pillars of ministry benefits -- health insurance, ancillary coverage (such as dental, vision, and disability), and retirement -- and how ministries can navigate options even with limited resources. From debunking common misconceptions to exploring creative alternatives like level-funded plans and marketplace subsidies, this conversation empowers ministry leaders to prioritize staff care without breaking the bank.

In this episode:

• The 3 Pillars of Ministry Employee Benefits
• Budget-Conscious Benefits Strategies
• Health Insurance Trends and Alternatives
• Retirement Planning with Ministry-Specific Nuances
• Recruiting and Retaining Staff through Better Benefits
• The Importance of Marketing and Evaluating Your Benefits Plan

Even if your budget is zero, there are actionable ways to build a plan that honors and sustains the people who serve.

Lightwell Insurance Advisors is focused on identifying risks and crafting safeguards for organizations that lift up their communities. We’re a trusted partner in understanding risk management and insurance protection. This podcast provides a general overview of risk management principles and insurance. It should not be seen as a contractual agreement. Details about coverage, deductibles, limits, and services may vary by organization and location. Coverage decisions are made at the time of an actual claim, subject to the specific terms, conditions, coverages, limits, limitations, and exclusions of the policy.

The evolving landscape of insurance for churches and ministries invites a focus on what insurability means today and why proactive risk management is more crucial than ever. John Korsmo, President and Managing Partner of Lightwell Insurance Advisors in Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Dakotas, and Wyoming, joins Adam Clark to discuss the changing expectations of insurance companies, highlighting the importance of tangible actions, strong management practices, and an ownership mindset for ministries to maintain and improve their insurability. Practical examples, legal considerations, and actionable advice equip ministry leaders to steward their organizations well in a challenging insurance marketplace.

Lightwell Insurance Advisors is focused on identifying risks and crafting safeguards for organizations that lift up their communities. We’re a trusted partner in understanding risk management and insurance protection. This podcast provides a general overview of risk management principles and insurance. It should not be seen as a contractual agreement. Details about coverage, deductibles, limits, and services may vary by organization and location. Coverage decisions are made at the time of an actual claim, subject to the specific terms, conditions, coverages, limits, limitations, and exclusions of the policy.

Jason Rochester, Managing Partner and Agent for Lightwell Insurance Advisors in South Carolina, shares expert insights on the mystery and misconceptions surrounding insurance for ministries, emphasizing the importance of being proactive in protecting both current operations and long-term insurability. He addresses factors that impact coverage eligibility, offers actionable strategies to reduce risk and liability, and highlights the value of stewardship in ministry insurance decisions. The conversation urges ministry leaders to move from a reactive to a preventative mindset, ensuring that coverage supports their mission and future.

Lightwell Insurance Advisors is focused on identifying risks and crafting safeguards for organizations that lift up their communities. We’re a trusted partner in understanding risk management and insurance protection. This podcast provides a general overview of risk management principles and insurance. It should not be seen as a contractual agreement. Details about coverage, deductibles, limits, and services may vary by organization and location. Coverage decisions are made at the time of an actual claim, subject to the specific terms, conditions, coverages, limits, limitations, and exclusions of the policy.