Conference Risk Trends We Are Watching in 2026
- Aug 12
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 14
As we move through 2026, the risk landscape facing churches, ministries, camps, and conference organizations continues to evolve. While many churches remain focused on ministry and mission, several emerging trends are creating new challenges that deserve attention from conference leadership. Here are four conference risk trends we are watching closely in 2026:
1. Rising Property Loss Severity
Even as insurance markets have begun to stabilize in some areas, construction and labor costs remain significantly higher than they were just a few years ago. This means that property claims often cost substantially more to repair than expected. Conferences may want to encourage churches to:
Review property values regularly
Update building square footage and construction information
Evaluate deductible levels and catastrophe preparedness plans
2. Increased Cybersecurity Exposure
Churches and conference offices continue to rely on digital systems for giving, payroll, membership records, and communications. Unfortunately, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting organizations with limited IT resources. Common concerns include:
Email phishing attacks
Fraudulent wire transfer requests
Data breaches involving member information
3. Employment and Leadership Liability Risks
Employment Practices Liability (EPL) and Directors & Officers (D&O) claims continue to be a concern for nonprofits and faith-based organizations. Allegations involving hiring decisions, employment practices, governance disputes, or leadership actions can be costly to defend—even when no wrongdoing occurred. Organizations should periodically review:
Personnel policies
Employee handbooks
Board governance procedures
4. Sexual Misconduct and Abuse Prevention
Protecting children, youth, and vulnerable adults remains one of the most important responsibilities of every ministry organization. Carriers continue to place significant emphasis on abuse prevention programs and documented safety procedures. Best practices include:
Background checks and volunteer screening (periodically refresh these as well)
Two-adult policies
Regular training and policy reviews
Maintain good records and consistently/fairly enforce all policies
Looking Ahead
While many of these risks are not new, they continue to evolve and can have a significant financial impact on churches and conferences. Proactive planning, strong policies, and regular risk assessments can help protect ministry resources while supporting the important work taking place throughout the conference. If your conference would like assistance reviewing property values, evaluating insurance programs, or identifying emerging risk exposures, our team would be happy to help.
This content has been prepared by United Methodist Insurance Company (UMI) for informational purposes only. No article or document may accurately contemplate all possible scenarios or church resources. As such, this information is meant to foster discussion by the individual church and its members to develop a plan tailored to its own circumstances. UMI is providing this information with no warranties or guarantees of any kind and it should not be viewed as legal, financial, or other professional advice. All liability is expressly disclaimed. Any claim examples described herein are general in nature, may or may not be based on actual claims, and are for informational purposes only. Any coverage available for a claim is determined from the facts and circumstances of the claim as well as the terms and conditions of any applicable policy, including any exclusions or deductibles. In the event of a conflict with the content herein, the terms and conditions of any issued policy will control. Individual coverage may vary and may not be available in all states.
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