To the pastors

As a hurricane approaches, a pastor has many responsibilities. There is the checklist of things to do for facilities, the concerns about the members, staff and not to mention personal safety. As a pastor, I have struggled with these same issues. We have a progressive Hurrican Plan that calls for certain actions at certain hours prior to landfall. That has helped with the facilites and staff issues. In the past, we have called our church members prior to storms to see what they plan on doing. In the case of Katrina, we called after the storm to see how they were, and if they had family needs.

The Pastor has a responsibility to their church. Part of that responsibility is to survive the storm and be able to minister after its passed. I have seen the struggle close up- that desire to stay and be able to get out and check on those in need quickly, opposed to the need to find a safe place for self and family away from the impact zone.

My advice, after having gone through Ivan and now Katina, is to find a safe place and be able to come back in a minister after the storm has passed.

In the hours immediatley after the storm, there is very little you can do. In the days and weeks after, there will be more than you can possibly imagine. Most of us have gone for three weeks with no days off and way to much to do.

Get safe- get rested- get ready. The church and your community will neeed you more than you know.

Matt