We all need to be prepared.   Jesus explained, “Ten virgins, who took their lamps, went out to meet the bridegroom.   Five were foolish, and five were prudent.   For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them but the prudent took oil in flasks, along with their lamps.”   (Matthew 25:1-4 NASB)

Prepare your congregation members to be voices of hope in times of tragedy and disaster.   Prepare your church facility as an emergency prayer shelter.   Prepare your congregation members to minister in their own communities, neighborhoods, and workplaces.   Recruit volunteers to meet the needs of your community. Prepare your congregation!

Any church desiring to become a shelter in the event of an emergency would be best positioned to deliver prayer, care and share effectively if the commitment to being an outpost were made in advance.

"Individuals inquiring into faith issues during a crisis need what we call "spiritual care."  In a multicultural environment, those providing spiritual care must be sensitive to and aware of the varied expressions of faith and belief. Within that context, a Christian emergency response service provides spiritual care from a biblical perspective."

The National Next of Kin Registry (NOKR), dedicated to making it possible for people to register their next of kin and others for everyday emergencies, in natural catastrophes, or man made disasters, is looking to the faith-community to help them with their efforts.

As I consider all that I read in the papers and see on the news, I often find myself wondering, “How is the church prepared for that?”   I have heard stories how ill-prepared many churches were for the flood and storms of last year's hurricane season.   As I research the potential of bird flue and read that if a pandemic hits, how churches in impacted areas will not be allowed to gather as a group to worship.   I wonder if they are prepared for that?   Even locally, as I read of a case of sexual misconduct or a tragic van accident involving the multiple death of youth group members, I realize that most churches aren't prepared to deal with such issues in a way that keeps them from doing further harm.