1. Basic Ministry Skills Crisis Management
Path to Leadership
Basic Ministry Skills
Crisis Management

2. Crisis Management Could Involve…
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Extensive building damage due to fire or storm
An unexpected financial crisis
A serious crime committed on church property
The sudden death of a ministerial staff member
A scandal involving a ministerial staff member

3. Basics of Crisis Management
Path to Leadership
Timing: Get Started Processing the Problem Quickly – it’s a crisis
Move quickly to get help dealing with the media (the first hours after the crisis first breaks are extremely important, because the media often build upon the information in the first hours)
On the other hand, Buy some time: Don’t act or speak too hastily

4. Basics of Crisis Management
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Form a Deacon Crisis Management Team
Answer: Do we need to contact our attorney?
Seek Divine guidance
Assess the situation

5. Basics of Crisis Management
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Communicate with key leadership
Prepare to deal with the media
Have one competent spokes- person
Get help from an attorney or from the LeaderCare office at State Convention

6. Basics of Crisis Management
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Communicate with the congregation… you may not need to tell every detail, but you can’t keep secrets from the church
Follow-through for healing of members/victims where needed
If we have injured a party, it’s our job to make them whole
This may be a long-term process
Long interims may be needed

7. Framing the Situation What are the exact facts?
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What are the exact facts?
What don’t we know yet?
Who are the players?
What emotions do we need to cope with? Anger, grief, victimization?
List advantages and disadvantages we have
Consider: How would we address each aspect of the situation?

8. Framing the Situation What Biblical standards do we need to uphold?
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What Biblical standards do we need to uphold?
What do our bylaws say about it?
What are our legal options?
How do we need to be redemptive?
What resources do we need to allocate?
How do we need to be Christian about this?

9. Path to Leadership