10 ways your church can prepare for a national emergency

Yesterday, while clearing out a cupboard, I found a box of face masks left from the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead of throwing them away, I’ve squirrelled them away into my new emergency preparation box.

Last week, the UK government issued updated advice on how to prepare for a potential three days without power or water; there’s a handy checklist now available online.

Far from being the stuff of wild conspiracy theories, it’s actually sensible and wise. It suggests that we prepare gradually, think about our own household needs and check expiry dates. I was most struck, however, by the final point: “connect with your community”. Which led me to think about what our churches can do to prepare.

During Covid-19 around 40% of churches found new ways to support community needs; a reminder that they are often well placed to serve their locality in difficult times.

In the wake of the Grenfell fire, religious think tank Theos interviewed local residents and support organisations in order to produce emergency planning advice for churches. A key point was that churches serve their neighbourhoods far better when they’re already prepared.

So, here’s some pointers to help your church think through an emergency response.

1. Get on the same page

It’s fair to say we’re not yet all on the same page with this, so opening up a discussion with your church leadership about the latest guidance might be a good starting point. Gather, pray, brainstorm, think about what resources you have or can offer, and make a realistic plan for your context.

2. Get organised

Find out what is being planned in your area. Many places have Local Resilience Forums. Local government will have their own emergency plans which you can find online. Get in touch with local organisations and see how your church might help.

During Covid-19, many of us found ourselves working in partnership with local groups for the first time. My own experience of this was that while hugely valuable, it was also somewhat disjointed at times! Forming key relationships in advance will make life easier if, or when, something happens.

3. Get thinking

Get everyone involved. Talk to your congregation, host an ideas evening, run a survey, share skills and resources. We are, after all, one body with many parts. There is a lot of fear surrounding all this, so do what you can to help people engage in a way that is realistic and helpful.

4. Get sharing

Podcaster and author Elizabeth Oldfield has written about “inner prepping” to strengthen our resilience. One key thing she highlights is the need to practice sharing. Difficult times might tempt us to hoard but “generosity is the antidote” she suggests. Preach about sharing and generosity, and invite people to think about what they could share with others.

5. Get connected

How will you communicate in an emergency? Hands up all who had a host of new WhatsApp groups during Covid-19? Perhaps now is the time to resurrect them. Make a plan for what happens if Wi-Fi or mobile connectivity goes down. Could your church be a point of vital information?

If you have an outdoor notice board, could you set aside a section for community news now, so people get used to seeing it? If power goes out, having a battery-operated, solar-powered or wind-up radio will also be key. Ensure at least a couple of your church leaders have them so they can keep informed and pass information on to others.

6. Get identifying

Discover who are the most in need among your community and ask what they might require in an emergency. You can help those who are vulnerable to sign up to the online ‘Priority Services Register’ which means that, during a loss of power or water, they will be prioritised for help and support.

7. Get some kit

Once you’ve made a plan, stock up on what you need. I’m not talking full-on bunker here, but how about a gas camping stove and a few large pans with the idea of offering a community meal? You could have a dry run, invite people to bring a tin of food and make some stew or soup to share with whatever comes in. Make sure your first aid kit and first aiders are up to date too.

8. Get some funding

Many of our churches are strapped for cash but, during Covid-19, new grant funding streams were released. It’s likely this will happen for emergency planning too. See what might be available to you and bear in mind that grant funders often prefer organisations partnering together.

9. Get Joyful

No one likes uncertainty. People are going to be worried and, if we do face some sort of emergency together, those feelings are going to be exacerbated. Think about how you can help spread hope, joy and peace. Invite people together, host a meal, have a sing-along, anything that can remind people to look for the glimmers of joy.

10. Get praying

Let’s pray that whatever comes, we can be a living example of Jesus at work. That God will give us the strength to share hope, be generous with ourselves, our stuff and our time. And that we can truly love our neighbour, come what may.