Command or Collaboration During Disaster Relief?

A perspective for local denominational organizations/judicatories on how they best empower their churches to serve from the base of their local context.

(Photo by William Haun/Florida Baptist Convention)

Rundown: Articles on Baptist associations are often applicable to the local denominational organizations/judicatories of various denominations. They may be called associations, districts, classis, synods, and by other names. They are typically organisms more than organizations. Relational more than functional. Regional and national expressions of denominations are more organizational and functional.

(This column appears this week in the digital and print edition of The Baptist Paper. Access the column in the digital edition HERE. The Baptist Paper is a publication of TAB Media. Request a free trial HERE. See all TAB Media columns written by George Bullard HERE.)

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Command or Collaboration During Disaster Relief?

"We should never wish for hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, fires and other disasters. Yet when they happen, it is a great time to show our very best as a fellowship of congregations fused together as an association."

We should never wish for hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, fires and other disasters. Yet when they happen, it is a great time to show our very best as a fellowship of congregations fused together as an association.

It is a time to serve others without seeking praise, to find willing volunteers we did not know were available and to demonstrate how a multi-dimensional denominational system can focus on individuals, families,  congregations and the Church’s mission all at the same time.

It is a time when associations are not at the top of the command structure but are an equal partner in collaboration.

The current hurricane season provides these opportunities to show compassion. In the spirit of this column about associations, let’s focus on how our multidimensional denomination can engage in command and collaboration rather than command and control.

Essential Process

A clear authority process is mandatory during the response to disasters. An effective communication system must exist. Chaos in response to disasters — even with good intentions — becomes a secondary disaster.

Trained and equipped volunteers who are appropriately deployed are of tremendous assistance. Untrained volunteers who see a need in front of them are also immediately helpful, save lives and rescue people and should not be discounted. Yet in the long term, more formal systems will produce better results.

The system of various hat colors — yellow, blue, white — worn by disaster team members reflects training and assigned leadership roles. It is a simple and effective visible communication system for coordinated response.

Emotionally-driven compassion launches many people into action. Resources are thrown at the relief efforts. Some resources are wonderful and greatly needed. Others are not so great and create problems.

Following appropriate assessment, resources should be focused on the most critical needs where assistance will have the greatest impact. Supply lines that back up on-the-scene relief efforts must be put into place as soon as possible.

When wise and thoughtful communication is in place, disasters can create situations of great collaboration. This is particularly true when local people understand the obvious needs. Redemptive actions can take place out of in-depth knowledge of needs not visible to outside people doing assessment and resource placement.

(Continue reading HERE.)

Let me hear from you if you want to talk about this.