Our country has an unparalleled diverse geography and natural beauty for all to cherish living in. Thousands of miles of coasts, sweeping plains, mountain ranges, lakes: the rest of this article could be spent listing the United States’ various geological terrains and climates. Yet, each unique region brings its own individual challenges in the form of both seasonal and unexpected natural disasters.
Just this year, the Northeast has been hampered by severe flash flooding, a string of deadly tornadoes over Memorial Day weekend that resulted in casualties across eight states, and Hurricane Beryl, which damaged utility infrastructure for millions along the Gulf Coast. With peak hurricane season expected to arrive during September and October, we are reminded of the year-round weather challenges faced by various communities across the United States. As community leaders, churches have an essential role to play in helping their congregations be prepared for, navigate during, and recover from, any natural disaster that hits their community.
Churches offer essential support and strength to their communities, serving as a refuge and source of inspiration for individuals and groups. This role becomes even more critical during natural disasters, so churches of all sizes should do all they can to evaluate their preparedness for helping their communities navigate these unwelcome occurrences.
Community stewardship for natural disasters is no small challenge, but utilizing the latest church management software and digital giving tools enables them to pool recovery resources, maintain and encourage community involvement, and empower individuals and other parachurch institutions to help the community meet this challenge.
Digital Churches: The New Standard
The pandemic required churches to digitalize, but the effectiveness of their digitalization efforts and technological understanding has varied greatly. The reality is that for many, taking their church online is the bare minimum. The new era of digital churches enables churches to reach a wider audience with their message, take on a more prominent community role, and encourage congregation members to become more engaged in church-related activities.
A digitally strengthened church can lead its congregation and wider community through a natural disaster. The following mediums make up the main pillars of a modern, digital church.
The Three Pillars of Digital Churches
- The Church Website: A church’s website is often a potential member’s introduction to a new location, but the website’s influence is further increased when current and potential members are in need. Websites that clearly communicate the church’s mission and messaging, are kept up-to-date, and are user-friendly serve as an essential resource during inclement weather episodes. Staff members can easily lay out available resources, fundraising and giving initiatives, and redirect members to other community resources.
- Social Media Accounts: Social media gives churches the chance to provide more real-time information quickly and efficiently, especially for reaching younger members of the community. Church social accounts can share important information, including local emergency plans, volunteering opportunities, and donation efforts. Further, members can actively engage by offering prayers, asking questions, and connecting with a wider group by sharing posts with their followers.
- Live Streaming Feeds: Live streaming church services online offers an effective way for churches to continue connecting with their community, especially those suffering physical displacement and/or emotional turmoil, by allowing them to continue attending service, pray, and access mutual support. Thus, virtual services provide congregation members with a much-welcomed sense of unity, relief, and comfort. Additionally, broader website and church management software can enhance virtual service efforts by equipping church staff with the tools to deliver content, fostering engagement, support, and donations.
Digital Giving Increases When Transparency and Communication Come First
Digital giving solutions are the key feature among broader digital church management software, enabling church staff to leverage numerous giving mediums such as instant payment apps, text-to-pay, and website plug-ins. Offering multiple options enables leaders to meet their congregation where they are in their giving preferences, ensuring an easier, more efficient giving process.
That said, communicating about financial decisions can feel uncomfortable, especially during hard times. Beyond natural disasters, many might be struggling due to inflation, an uncertain economy, or personal health issues. Church leaders should never shy away from these conversations. Instead, they must ensure staff are clear, honest, and transparent in their messaging efforts to encourage giving while being conscious of what issues are affecting congregants individually. Members don’t just appreciate easier processes; they welcome testimonials from existing donors as well as transparent financial impact reports. These strategies build trust and engagement while encouraging more frequent, reoccurring donations
Leveraging the latest giving solutions enables churches to proactively prepare for unexpected natural disasters and also launch fundraisers during recovery efforts for individuals, businesses, and other community institutions in need. By offering the option to give with just a few clicks, churches can help provide critical resources such as food, clean water, internet access, and necessary shelter. By not being at the mercy of a mail-in check or in-person collection location, affected communities can more easily come together and support those in need.
Preparing For, Leading Through, and Recovering From Natural Disasters
Digital, organizational, and communication strategies give churches the tools they need to prepare for and navigate through a natural disaster, but working together and inspiring others is essential. After all, one church can’t do everything on its own. Churches and their members should collaborate with other local parachurch organizations, such as food banks, schools, and community centers, to share and coordinate recovery efforts. This collective approach helps prevent any single organization from becoming overwhelmed, inspires others who may not have been initially involved, and allows community leaders to ensure a unified and comprehensive recovery strategy.
Natural disasters often result in power outages, home displacement, and/or significant property damage, which can lead to affected Americans feeling lost during recovery efforts. Churches, along with other community nonprofit institutions, can significantly enhance the impact and efficiency of disaster recovery through digital transformation and messaging strategies. These efforts enable churches to organize donations, improve communication, and lead their communities in innovative ways. Serving as a source of hope for many, churches can maintain their guiding role, with digital solutions positioning them to better assist their communities in rebuilding and thriving after natural disasters.
About the Author:
In her role as Executive Vice President Core Solutions at Ministry Brands, Janet is accountable for the P&L for their Core Solutions, where she is an expert in SaaS, Human Capital Management systems, and operations. Janet has a passion for employee engagement and social responsibility. She has worked extensively with women and girls’ leadership organizations, The American Heart Association, The American Cancer Society and Mount Pisgah Christian School. Janet holds a bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND.