Liability Waivers for Church Events: What Works and What Doesn’t

If your church has ever hosted a youth retreat, mission trip, sports tournament, or even a good old-fashioned church picnic, you’ve probably had at least one person ask:

“Do we need people to sign a waiver for this?”

And then, someone else inevitably says:

“Oh, we’ll just grab something off Google.”

Friend, let me tell you — that’s how churches end up learning about liability the hard way.

Liability waivers can be incredibly helpful… or almost completely useless, depending on how they’re written, how they’re used, and whether they actually match the law in your state.

Why Liability Waivers Even Matter

Think of a liability waiver like a front door lock.
A good one won’t stop every break-in, but it sure discourages a lot of trouble from getting through.

Churches use waivers to:

• Make sure participants understand the risks of an event.
• Reduce the chance of legal claims if something goes wrong.
• Protect leaders and volunteers from personal liability.

But here’s the thing — a waiver isn’t a magic shield. It’s part of a bigger safety and legal strategy, not a “get out of court free” card.

Cautionary Tale:
I once heard about a church that downloaded a one-size-fits-all waiver for a youth kayaking trip. It looked official enough. Then an accident happened. The waiver didn’t mention water sports, didn’t follow the state’s legal requirements, and — surprise — the court threw it out. The church still faced a massive claim, and the “waiver” didn’t save them a dime.

What Makes a Liability Waiver Actually Work

1. Specificity is Key

A good waiver doesn’t just say “you might get hurt.” It names the event, describes the risks, and explains them in clear, plain English.

If you’re hosting a youth camp, that means including risks like hiking, swimming, sports, insect bites, and even food allergies. The more specific, the better.

2. Clear Language

Legalese is not your friend here. Courts are more likely to enforce a waiver when it’s easy to read and understand.
If your waiver sounds like it was written for a Harvard law review, the average parent might not truly grasp what they’re signing — and that can work against you.

3. State-Specific Compliance

This is where a lot of churches trip up.
Each state has different rules about what waivers can and can’t do. Some states won’t enforce waivers for certain activities. Others require very particular wording. This is why using a generic online template can be risky.

4. Signatures Matter

It sounds obvious, but waivers only work if they’re actually signed — and signed before the event. Keep them organized and stored, whether digitally or on paper. And if the participant is a minor, you’ll need a parent or guardian’s signature.

What Doesn’t Work (and Can Hurt You)

1. Overly Broad Waivers

If your waiver tries to cover “anything that ever happens anywhere,” it may not hold up in court. Judges tend to frown on documents that feel like they strip away all participant rights.

2. Hidden Clauses

If the important parts are buried in tiny font or hidden in the middle of unrelated text, you might as well not have them at all. Transparency matters.

3. Not Following Through on Safety

Even with a perfect waiver, if your church ignores basic safety measures, you can still be found negligent. A waiver won’t protect you from claims of gross negligence or reckless behavior.

4. Forgetting the Follow-Up

Some churches treat waivers like a checkbox: “Okay, they signed it, done.” But if something changes — location, activities, dates — the waiver should be updated or a new one signed.

How This Fits into a Bigger Risk Management Plan

Liability waivers should be part of a larger safety strategy. That means:

• Training volunteers and staff on risk awareness.
• Having the right insurance coverage for events.
• Knowing state and local laws for the activities you’re hosting.

Pro Tip: Churches in The Foundation Plus Plan, The Pastor Support Plan, or The Executive Plan with Church Law & Strategy often get their waivers reviewed and tailored to their events — so they’re not relying on generic templates that fall apart in court.

Our Links

• Church Legal Audit and Recommended Action Report
• Child Safety Review for Churches
• Comprehensive Church Insurance Review and Report

Other Resources to Check Out!

• National Recreation and Park Association – Waiver Best Practices
• Nonprofit Risk Management Center – Understanding Releases
• American Camp Association – Risk Management Resources

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Church Law and Strategy or its representatives. For specific legal advice tailored to your church or organization, please consult a licensed attorney.