Crisis can happen within YOUR Ministry

Last week, I was shocked when the 6 o'clock news ran a story about a well respected pastor admitting to a "personal indiscretion" that was leading him to leave his mega church for 2 years to go through restoration and healing. A few months ago, I watched another church share thier disblief in having their air conditioning units vandalized ($38,000 to replace) to steal about $900 worth of copper. Years ago, I remember a prominent pastor being rediculed in the media for giving the policemen in his precint $1000 Christmas bonus which was illegal for them to accept and they had to return the checks or lose their jobs. In all of these cases, my mind shifts to crisis management mode. When I teach my workshops, I always ask the host pastor and leaders if they have a crisis management plan. Most do not. They never think it could happen to them. I break it down and explain that having a crisis management plan is as important as having an annual budget. If you don't handle a crisis correctly, it could cost you your membership.

From the time we enter elementary school, we are taught the importance of having a crisis management plan - remember those fire drills where we were told to remain calm and stay low. Being from the midwest, we practiced tornado drills where everyone was directed to the hallways or to a storm shelter. These plans were also posted PROMINENTLY on the walls of our classrooms. Churches ae not exempt. Any public gathering place should have such a plan. Now, it doesn't matter what the crisis is, YOU MUST HAVE A PLAN. Here's a quick outline of the tips I share during my workshops:

1. Prepare

It's amazing how quickly a situation can grow from a managable opportunity to a major crisis because of the lack of preparation. In layman's terms, if you ignore your change oil light and continue to drive your car for months, you could burn out your entire engine. Once your engine is burnt out, you are looking at a repair bill that could have been $40 to change the oil to thousands of dollars to replace an engine or to even purchase a new vehicle. Sit down with your leaders and identify fire hazards in your church, potential safety issues (are all of the locks working properly, do you use your alarm system, has the code been changed on a regular basis so not too many people have it, have you practiced fire drills during a Sunday service, are your air conditioners in a fenced and locked area so vandals won't target them for their copper?) and risk management opportunities (is there a Security person present any time the building is unlocked, do you have a safe to lock up valuables or offerings that can't be deposited until a later date, do you have a plan to dispose of weapons or drugs that may be left at the altar following a deliverance service, are you performing back ground checks on EVERY leader EVERY year).

2. Identify a Spokesperson

Teach your members how to respond to the media. They are to say "no comment". Identify who the authorized voice of the ministry is and share with your members that only this person is authorized to give comments to the media as well as to invite the media to your church. This person should be well spoken, well educated/trained, works well under pressure and media savvy. Hint, it should not be the Senior Pastor.

3. Train the Executive Office

If a situation arises, train your Executive Office to not discuss the particulars of the case with anyone. Employees and volunteers in this area can harmlessly sink ships. Updates should only be communicated by the authorized spokesperson to not only the media but to the congregation.

4. Don't Delay in Responding

Failure to address a situation is bascially admitting guilt. It may be difficult to phathom that trusted Deacon Smith mishandled the church finances, but it's a possiblity so take the time and investigate. Be careful to handle it professionally so if the investigation doesn't uncover any wrongdoings, no one's reputation has been tarnished.

5. Seek Legal Representation

Laws change and are updated all the time. Invest in legal counsel to represent your ministry so that you are compliant with all local, county, state and federal laws. Don't assume because you are a church, you are exempt from following certain guidelines. And, don't make the mistake of believing members that THINK they know the law, pay the price for an attorney to ensure you have someone assisting you that DOES know the law.

These 5 items will assist you in getting your crisis management plan started. Look out for more ministry tips in this blog!!!

Remember,

Excellence Matters...!

Robin