Mark had been serving his congregation in Abilene for nearly a decade. His sermons were heartfelt, his people trusted him, and the church had become a pillar in the community. On most days, his biggest worries were making sure the Wednesday night prayer meeting ran smoothly or that the children’s ministry had enough volunteers.
Insurance coverage was something he rarely thought about. He trusted the insurance agent he had used years before and felt confident every time he heard the words “full coverage.” That phrase gave him peace of mind, or at least he thought it did.
Then came the letter about a liability claim.
A former member claimed that advice Pastor Mark gave in counseling sessions was not only bad, but made his depression worse. Mark felt like it seemed suspect, but he read on.
The church was being sued. As he worked through the legal notice, his heart sank. Suddenly, those comforting words “full coverage” felt less certain. When he called his agent, he learned that pastoral liability was not included in his policy. What had felt like truth turned out to be almost truth.
I was reminded of this story last Sunday when my own pastor continued our current series in the book of Proverbs. His sermon was about true wisdom. He quoted a phrase that had been on his heart all week: “True wisdom is being able to discern between truth and almost truth.”
My pastor meant this in a biblical sense, but the lesson hit close to home with what Mark walked through. Almost truth in insurance can be just as dangerous as almost truth in faith.
Church leaders face this tension every time they review their church insurance coverage. On the surface, policies look similar. Agents often use reassuring words. But what is presented as truth may only be almost truth, and the difference can cost a church dearly. But How can you really know?
Discerning the difference between truth and almost truth is important in everything we do, especially when protecting our congregation. Mark could have used the FAQs at the bottom of the page. But you can read on to see what we mean.
When Pastor Mark first bought his liability protection, he was told he had “full coverage.” That sounded safe enough. But the truth is that no such thing exists. Every liability policy has limits and exclusions.
Liability coverage for churches can include many different categories. And most people buy General Liability insurance thinking it covers all of them. This list gives you some idea of the complexity of these protection plans.
Obviously, each of these is different. And each one requires intentional coverage choices. And many times, separate policies altogether.
When an agent waves their hand and says “you have full coverage,” it is almost truth. What they really mean is that you have some coverage. But without careful questioning, you may never know what is missing.
Pastor Mark learned this the hard way. He discovered that pastoral liability was not included. His general liability would not respond to the counseling accusation, and that left the church vulnerable.
True wisdom for church leaders is asking the next question. What kind of liability is actually covered? What exclusions are listed in the policy? Is counseling included, or not? The difference between truth and almost truth is found in the details.
Mark's claim also reminded him that his finance committee was proud that they found insurance coverage that saved the church thousands on premiums. At the time, it seemed like wise stewardship. But the premium is only one part of the story.
Texas church insurance coverage that is significantly cheaper than most other options often means higher deductibles, more exclusions, or less favorable terms. In some cases, the total cost of risk can actually be higher, even when the premium is lower. Total cost of risk includes the premium, the deductible, and the potential out-of-pocket expenses that can hit if the coverage does not respond.
Now that the church is facing legal bills from the lawsuit, that cheap policy suddenly does not look so smart. The savings from a lower premium are nothing compared to the financial risk of uncovered claims.
Almost truth tells church leaders that saving money on premiums is always good stewardship. True wisdom looks deeper. Stewardship is about managing all of the church’s resources in a way that protects the mission. That includes premiums, deductibles, and the risks that may not be visible until the storm hits.
Insurance providers love to tell Texas churches that their property insurance will cover them for storms. On the surface, that feels like truth. But the reality is more complicated.
Churches in different parts of Texas face different weather threats. Hail is a certainty in the Panhandle and North Texas. Hurricanes are a real concern along the Gulf Coast. Flooding can devastate churches in Central and East Texas. Each of these natural disaster risks is treated differently by church property policies.
Mark’s church in Abilene was not hit by a hurricane, but he did learn something important about hail coverage. His policy carried a five percent deductible for wind and hail damage. That meant if his roof was destroyed during a storm, the church could owe tens of thousands before the insurance ever paid a dime.
The almost truth was that “storm coverage” was included. The real truth was that the terms of the coverage made a major claim nearly impossible for his church to afford.
True wisdom is knowing that not all storm coverage is created equal. The wording matters. Deductibles matter. Local experience matters. A church needs an experienced advisor who understands the storms unique to Texas and can explain exactly what the policy will and will not cover.
Pastor Mark’s story is just one example. Churches across Texas face similar risks every day. The almost truths sound comforting. They help inexperienced agents sell policies quickly. But they leave your ministries exposed when it matters most.
The truth is that no policy can cover everything. But a well-crafted church insurance program, designed with transparency and local expertise, can cover the risks that matter most to your ministry.
My pastor’s sermon about wisdom still rings true. True wisdom is not about accepting the easy answer. It is about asking deeper questions, testing the words against reality, and discerning between truth and almost truth.
For church leaders and decision makers, this is not just about paperwork. It is about stewardship. Your decisions about Texas church insurance are decisions about protecting people, property, and your ministries. They communicate how seriously you take the calling God has placed on your congregation.
Pastor Mark now meets with one of our advisors who takes the time to ask questions, review exclusions, and explain coverage clearly. He no longer accepts almost truth. He expects clarity. And his church is stronger because of it.
This promise of certainty is possible for your church as well. It starts with separating almost truth from truth and choosing protection that matches your ministry. That's what True Texas Church Insurance is all about.
Click the button below to schedule a review of your current church insurance coverage. Let’s talk about what is true, what is almost true, and how to give your church the peace of mind that comes from real protection.