Church Disaster Plan, Part 1

If you watched the news this week, you have seen the disaters that have stolen the headlines. From the wild fires in Colorado, to the flooding in Florida caused by Tropical Storm Debby, to the mild earthquakes that shook Cleburne and Corsicana, TX., nature has demonstrated what it can do.

In the last two blogs we discussed how to prepare your family for disaster. Today I want to ask “If disaster strikes, will your church be ready?”

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,  for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings  until the disaster has passed.     Psalm 57:1

There are nine parts to a Congregational disaster Plan. Today we are going to talk about the first three.

• Your Congregation Needs to Appoint or Elect a Disaster Coordinator.
  Appoint or elect a member of the congregation to serve as your Disaster Coordinator. Have him become familiar with local emergency management leadership and be aware of interfaith organizations that would help in disaster.
• Have Contigency Plans for Worship

1. If your pastor becomes a victim of a disaster have plans for who can lead any service.
2. If you have a school plan for the posibility of incapacitated teachers.
3. Resume worship services as soon as possible.

• If facilities are damaged and can not be used, have an alternative plan for church funtions. Scout out possible alternative sites such as a school or another church where worship could be held and get an ideal of what they would cost to rent.
• Special services or prayer vigils can help members cope with Disaster.
• Know how to communicate any changes in location or time of worship servicesnecessitated by a disaster.

• Check On Your Members
  Have a plan in place to check on all members that might have been effected by the storm. Find out who was effected and what kind of help they might need. Work with your church body and other entities to help get affected members the help they need.

These are important steps to putting together a disaster plan for your church we will look at additional steps in the next post.