Legal Question in Business Law in Ohio

First of all, you are correct that because there is no insurance or indemnification agreement (an agreement that the other church will cover any claims brought against your church), a suit could potentially be brought against your church since you are the owners of the property. This right there is enough to require the insurance and contract you mentioned.

What type of entity is your church? This can impact how easily someone could go after the members of the church. Most likely, your church is set up as a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation. As such the church would be treated like a corporation if sued. One of the major reasons to have a corporation is that it can shield its members/shareholders from liability incurred against the corporation. To make a long story short, it would be difficult for anyone who sued the church to succeed in going after the members.

Your concern in protecting the church and its assets are valid, but you as an individual is probably ok (here is the general lawyerly disclaimer that it all depends on the specific facts in your situation).

If you have any further questions, feel free to contact me.