The Church Insurance Companies
In a year marked by challenging weather and economic conditions, the Church Insurance Companies (CIC) have doubled down on a commitment to client education and service. We recognize that in an ever-evolving landscape of risks, it is imperative for us to continuously adapt and innovate to provide the best possible service to our clients.
Notably, this past year, we successfully implemented an automated risk management tool within our Episcopal Safety Program. Leveraging state-of-the-art technology, advanced analytics, and the expertise of CPG’s Research & Data team, we created a real-time management tool that has revolutionized how we assess, mitigate, and monitor risk. By harnessing the power of data-driven insights, we enhanced our ability to identify potential threats and proactively manage risks, thereby strengthening the overall resilience of our business.
The new tool allows our team to complete more risk management visits, dive deeper into risk concerns, and provide an electronic report instantly to our clients. By providing more effective and efficient risk management analysis, our clients can mitigate risks, which positively affects the claims experience and ultimately premiums.
Furthermore, we improved the transparency and clarity of our communications around premium increases and policy changes. We studied the drivers of the higher-than-usual premium increases experienced in 2023—reinsurance markets, the construction cost index, and climate changes. We then implemented a comprehensive communication strategy and published a simple, one-page explanation to effectively demystify the factors influencing premium increases and assist our clients in making well-informed decisions.
Our focus on client education has helped us retain 99% of our business year over year, significantly higher than the industry standard. This gives us confidence that our approach is working, but we plan to continue to explore even better ways to communicate, serve, and deliver critical value to our clients.
Church Publishing Incorporated
This year, Church Publishing has made significant strides in broadening access to our books and other resources to meet the needs of The Episcopal Church, its people, and its mission. Through strategic initiatives and innovative digital solutions, we have ensured that our content reaches a wider audience than ever before.
Our focus on maximizing print-on-demand has allowed readers from all over the globe to easily access our extensive catalog of titles. We have also begun working with global Christian booksellers, expanding our reach into new markets. Anyone, anywhere, can now access our books in English.
Our participation in international book fairs, including the London Book Fair and the Frankfurt Book Fair, provided invaluable opportunities to build a global network of representatives to help us broaden our footprint in the world of translation. Soon, our titles will be available for many more to read in their native languages and audio form. Look out for the audio publication of Catherine Meeks’s The Night Is Long but Light Comes in the Morning later this year.
We have also made noteworthy advancements in the realm of worship planning resources. By establishing a landmark collaboration with the Association of Anglican Musicians (AAM), we have been able to expand our offerings through our RiteSong music library with new music selected or commissioned by AAM.
Furthermore, we made substantial additions to RitePlanning—the go-to source for weekly and special worship services—including the newest editions of Lesser Feasts and Fasts, the Book of Occasional Services, and the lectionary readings from the bestselling book by the Rev. Wilda C. Gafney, PhD, A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church–Year B.
As we continued to identify evolving client needs, we heard a growing demand for addressing the challenges of clergy burnout. Callie E. Swanlund’s From Weary to Wholehearted is a restorative resource for overcoming the stresses of dedicated service.
We are incredibly grateful for the support of clergy and lay employees as we bolster them in their calling to spread the gospel and as we expand our diverse voices into broader audiences.
Table of Contents
