TOOLBOX: What To Do When A Crisis Hits

A crisis can come suddenly and unexpectedly in life. For churches, crises come in many different forms—natural disasters, personnel issues, building/facilities issues, conflict, financial, criminal allegations and more.

While each kind of crisis presents unique challenges for a pastor and church congregation, there are some common best practices for pastors and church leaders to consider. Using the acronym C-R-I-S-I-S, consider the following steps in preparing for when a crisis hits.

C-larify

The first step in a crisis is to ask clarifying questions when presented with an apparent crisis. This is only a preliminary gathering of facts. A leader or a team handling the crisis can gather relevant facts. Take any immediate required action, including addressing immediate safety and health needs. Next, conduct reporting for mandatory reporting scenarios without delay to DHS[child welfare]/law enforcement/authorities.

R-ely

Although this may not seem needed to say, we should take on an attitude of prayer and acknowledge our reliance and dependence upon God in order for us to accomplish any good in His name. Once a crisis hits, feelings of imbalance and stress may come upon you. Acknowledge these feelings to the Lord and then turn to the Lord for his understanding and trust Him to make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-7).

I-nitiate

Leaders cannot or should not “go it alone” in dealing with a crisis. Initiate your response to the crisis by building your team. By building a team with certain key roles (legal, personnel, ministry care, operational, financial, communications), you will be equipped to handle the multiple aspects and challenges of a crisis. Ideally, your organization has a crisis team already in place when a crisis arises, so you only need to make small modifications depending on the nature of the crisis. When considering who is part of the crisis response team and the resources available to equip your team, don’t forget to involve your organization’s insurance company.

S-trategize

Strategy will have different priorities given the nature of the crisis, but the church should prioritize addressing any immediate safety concerns that the church can be a part of addressing. Second, if the crisis creates leadership gaps or a conflict of interest for a certain leader, address the leadership gaps. Third, build a plan for victim care. This can look like providing basic resources, referring victims to resources, presence, prayer, communication, and the pursuit of justice. Fourth, evaluate and take corrective action for circumstances the church controls that contributed to the harm in the crisis, if any. Fifth, adapt to the operations of your ministry to the reality of the new circumstances. Finally, build a communication plan, sharing information and your strategy with key leaders, then your membership, and then your community at large.

I-nform

Good communication is key in crisis management. Be factual and compassionate when developing statements. Be aware that anything spoken or written could be shared with the general public. Have a designated spokesperson who is prepared, knowledgeable and articulate. Remember to inform key leaders in a timely manner, and have a plan to communicate to your congregation in a crisis. Consider the best means to keep congregation informed, such as a letter to be read aloud at a special-called business meeting (that is not livestreamed). Whenever difficult information is shared, consider having equipped people available to field questions and hear concerns. Interact with media judiciously—consider sharing prepared statements by email to the reporter, if it becomes necessary.

S-tick to It

Crises can challenge our leadership abilities in many ways and make a leader want to give up. A crisis can sometimes make or break a leader or organization. Stick to your plan, work it, and reassess as necessary. If we seek the Lord, minister to the hurting, make corrective actions when necessary, and communicate thoroughly with an appropriate amount of humility and transparency, we will have served faithfully, having placed our trust and dependency in the Lord.

Crises may feel intense for a combination of reasons, primarily because they often involve significant harm being suffered or threatened. By employing these simple steps, and by relying on the Lord’s divine help, we can help manage the crisis and seek to honor the Lord during difficult days.