Posted 701 days ago

Lessons Learned from Church Disaster Plans

by Penny Carothers

 

Following the colossal damage inflicted by Hurricane Katrina, many churches recognized the need to set policies for response when natural disaster strikes. Many of these principles and plans can inform the way we prepare to help those in need when recession hits. The following article and sets of plans were drawn exclusively from churches that have prepared to respond to natural disasters. The information provided is from the Baptist Conference, Church World Service, and the United Methodists.

Before we begin to explore the how-tos, it’s important to take a minute to recognize the unique role of church folk, as explained by the United Methodist preparedness documents.

These documents state that:

seeing Jesus as the compassionate servant, comforter, and advocate, including his focus on helping “the least of these,” provides a framework for understanding the religious community’s work in disaster. It is an incarnational role —being the bodily presence of God -- particularly for those who are most vulnerable to the effects of the disaster, bringing hope and order to the chaos. As a compassionate servant, the religious community can help meet relief needs, stepping in to assist when other public and private responders leave people out of the process.

As a comforter, the religious community renews people and their communities after a disaster providing opportunities and places for disaster survivors to find fellowship and friendship and share their stories. Counseling/caring—listening to survivors, walking through grief and guilt with them so they can move toward acceptance of their present condition.

In being the presence of God, the religious community reaffirms values and beliefs and offers redemption, renewal, new life, and most importantly, hope—the one thing no other disaster responder can bring to people. As an advocate, the religious community focuses on justice in responding to disasters. It engages in family and household advocacy (helping people access the systems that offer aid to which they are entitled) and public policy advocacy (working for laws and regulations that protect men, women, and children).

With a philosophical framework that underscores the unique role that the church can play in any disaster, we move on to six key ideas that set the foundation for an effective response to recession, followed by some examples of how different churches have actualized these ideas and policies.

1) Organize, plan, mitigate and prepare before disaster strikes.

2) If possible, create a committee or central body (with strong ties to church leadership) that can swing into action when disaster strikes.

3) Coordinate and plan with other church and community organizations and leaders.

4) Know your congregation well--strengths, weaknesses, areas of need and service.

5) Know the community well--strengths, weaknesses, areas of need and service.

6) Drawing on the strengths and desire of the congregation, train volunteers to respond.

First Steps to Prepare to Respond to Disaster:

• Conduct a survey of church members’ skills, gifts, talents, needs, weaknesses and willingness to serve.

• Map the community and the church, paying particular attention to felt needs and strengths, so that the church can establish a plan for what will be needed.

• Write and publicize a short mission or purpose statement for disaster response

• Plan a volunteer management program which includes recruitment, training, placement, supervision, nurturing, and evaluation

  • Identify and assign volunteers according to talents.

• Quickly project a budget (it can be revised up or down as more information comes available)

• Lead the church to approve making facilities and equipment available for disaster relief ministries.

On-going projects:

• Begin and maintain a crisis closet, food pantry, or other “mercy ministries.”

• Secure approval of the church to cooperate with other local churches and civic and government agencies.

• Conduct damage assessment in the community and notify local, associational and state disaster directors.

• Finance a line of credit for authorized applicants to secure clean up or repair products and secure and disburse grants or loans for emergency needs.

• Participate in ministries such as the receiving, sorting and distributing of clothing, bedding, bulk food, clean-up and household supplies.

• Cooperate with other agencies in times of disaster, have a voice in rebuilding and relocating, and make sure victims are treated the same in regard to physical, social and spiritual recovery.

• Prepare to attend to the emotional and psychological needs of victims.

For more information about how churches respond to disaster, and how these tools can be used to prepare to serve those in need during times of recession, visit the websites and materials from which the preceding principles were drawn:

Baptist Conference Disaster Plan Manual

Church World Service Disaster Ministry

United Methodist Disaster Recovery

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