Leading your church through a crisis can be extremely difficult. Church leaders are forced to think in ways that are unfamiliar, and the demand that you know all the answers is at an all time high.
Here are a few ideas to help you lead your church through a time of crisis:
Find Credible Information
Your church family is going to be looking to you for answers during this time, and it’s your job to provide them with reliable, up-to-date, trustworthy information.
Research answers from multiple different outlets, but whatever you do, don’t get all your information from social media. Make sure the information that you research is free of bias and inaccurate facts.
Use The Right Communication Channels
Now that you have credible answers, it’s time to spread them to your congregation. Seek to be as transparent as possible. The more transparent you are, the less emotional distress and fear your members will feel. Transparency also shows your church that you are concerned and knowledgeable on the situation.
There are a bunch of ways to share your research with your church, but sharing it face-to-face first is always your best bet. Whether that’s in-person or online, make sure to share your research directly with your congregation.
Once you have shared the information face-to-face, you can start sharing it through other methods such as social media.
Explain What Your Church Is Doing About The Crisis
Don’t be afraid to take charge and be proactive during the time of crisis. Honesty is the best policy here, so be sure to explain all of your church’s decisions with your congregation truthfully.
Keep your employees and congregation in the loop frequently, and figure things out together. No one person is going to have all the answers, but working together allows you to fill in the puzzle piece by piece.
Be Available
You need to make yourself available a lot during times of crisis. People are relying on you for answers and help. Let people know how they can best reach you, even if it’s not in person.
People are worried and confused and are going to need you at this time. When you appear calm, collected, and educated on the crisis, your congregation will feel more encouraged and confident.
