Disasters come in many shapes and sizes: fire, flood, wind event, Covid… The disaster could last a few weeks or a few years. I was the pastor of a church whose facility was destroyed during the tornado outbreak on April 27, 2011. We navigated the waters of relocating and rebuilding the following two years and two months. With this past weekend’s storms, I think it is crucial that each of us be prepared for disasters. Here are a few key points gleaned through the process.

1. Have your key leaders confirm that property insurance is adequate for rebuilding the entire church facility.

2. During a disaster, you must make decisions as their pastor. However, for the long haul, you must delegate to lead correctly. I met with our deacon, finance, and personnel teams immediately. The trustees handled property acquisition. We carefully formed a rebuilding team and a vision team.

3. In the aftermath of a disaster, people will disagree. Biblical truth is one thing; opinion is another. Attempt to work together to form consensus throughout rebuilding.

4. Do not rush major decisions. Allow the dust to settle. Bathe the entire process in prayer. Ask for advice from people inside and outside your church family.

5. Lead your people to the right information source, God, and His ordained leaders. You and your church leaders need to speak with one voice. Give regular reports. Without ongoing information, people will fill in the blanks with what they think is correct.

6. Leadership is formed in challenging seasons. You will learn more through short-term difficulty than during long-term peace.

7. Prepare for disaster; it could happen at any time. You could write a sermon outline that speaks to sudden disaster (Example: Psalm 46) and create a response plan. Do you have a tornado safe place at the church? How would the church meet the needs of its members and the community? Glean from the best of your Covid response. Attempt to discover a few places in your area where the church family could meet if you could not meet in the church facility.

8. The church is a body and not a building. We should emphasize the BODY, not the building (future).We function as the body of Christ. The church is too dependent on a building.

9. A fresh start is usually needed to break out of hindering traditions. If rebuilding is necessary, use that time to take a fresh look at the church’s mission and practice.

10. Go all out to assist the community. You have a rare opportunity to show the love of Christ to the people of your neighborhood — take full advantage.

With a little effort, you can prepare for disaster. Will you have all your ducks in a row? No, but you could be two or three steps ahead. Attempt to thrive and not merely survive in response to disaster.

This article was written by state missionary Ken Allen.