Disaster Ministry Handbook by Jamie D. Aten & David M. Boan

Author:Jamie D. Aten & David M. Boan [Aten, Jamie D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780830897681
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
Published: 2016-02-23T00:00:00+00:00

Helping Other Churches and Communities (Beyond Your Community)

One of the most common questions we get from churches after a disaster is, “How can we help from a distance?” Disasters can bring out the best in us. Congregations often want to help after disasters, and communities affected by disasters need people to help. However, sometimes our good ­intentions can actually cause more harm than good if we are not careful. In this section we help you learn how you can help other churches and communities (outside of your community) affected by disasters. More specifically, we discuss ways your church can help without causing unintentional harm.

Keep your focus on the survivors’ needs. As I (Jamie) wrote in a Christianity Today article, I have a colleague who has done a lot of research following large oil spills.20 He shared with me that after the Exxon Valdez, many of the local communities were overwhelmed by the support that was lent from all over the world. Though most of the support was positive, some people sent goods that actually placed more burdens on the community. For example, people from all over sent literally tons of clothes, which the communities had to sort and distribute appropriately. Up to this point it sounds helpful. However, they actually had people send barrels and barrels of summer clothes and even swimsuits, which are not very helpful in the wintery climate off the Alaskan coast. In the end, these communities were stuck with over a $200,000 bill just to get rid of the clothes they could not use.

Educate yourself about survivors’ needs. Survivors can experience a wide range of needs following a disaster, including physical, emotional and spiritual needs, so various types of support can be helpful. But we should also consider the actual amount of need. Referring back to my colleague’s story about Alaska, it is possible to give too much. Keep in mind that aid happens where need meets resources. Do your best to find out, from your own contacts or local or national organizations, exactly what types of aid and volunteers are necessary. Knowledge is power. Affiliating with nonprofit organizations like Salvation Army or Red Cross that have established relationships and resources is another way you can ensure you are more likely to help and not hurt. Perhaps you are not sure which organization to volunteer with or to give to. If a good Internet search is not enough, consider reaching out to a Volunteer Reception Center that has been established by relief organizations in the community affected that can help connect you to volunteer opportunities or connect your resources more easily with people in need.

Understand your motivation for wanting to help. When we help we need to keep our focus on the disaster survivors themselves and make sure we are helping for the right reason. As I (Jamie) wrote elsewhere, “Giving a gift can make us feel good and make a huge positive impact on the life of a survivor—but only if it is the right gift at the right time, for the right reasons.

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