Prepare for Crisis

Youth leaders are essential to restoring hope when crises involve students. Youth ministry is based on relationships where credibility is earned through authenticity. These pre-existing relationships provide Christian youth workers a unique role and responsibility in times of crises. If you are already properly embedded in a student's world when a crises arises, you can then be an ally to come alongside, acknowledge, affirm, reframe, encourage, mentor and refer hurting youth.

You never know when you will be called upon to walk with someone on their darkest day. Though this day may come without warning, it does not need to catch you unprepared. Personal Preparation and Community Connection are the keys to unlocking the door of ministry effectiveness when pastoral care is needed in times of crisis

Before the Crisis - Build Your Relationships

Identify your local leaders:

(GO meet these people!)

• School Administration
• School Principal
• School Secretary
• Emergency Responders: (Police and Fire)
• Government/Political Allies:

Identify your local resources

• Youth Ministry Network Coordinator (None? Become one.)
• Pastors Networks or Ministeriums
• Local Christian Counselors
• Chaplains
• Coaches
• Local Suicide Prevention Group or Crisis Hotline

Identify where youth hang out and what groups they join:

Day of Crisis - When you get THAT call.

Chances are you will notice a stress response in yourself. You need to manage your stress. Take a slow deep breath in through your nose and then exhale slowly through your mouth. Say prayer asking God to make you His servant.

Personal Preparation... Key Attitudes

Crisis ministry is an opportunity for companionship and compassion. The faith-based responder serves Jesus by being an image-bearer of God in someone else's time of need. This ministry is being God's mercy-showing ambassador with no strings attached.

Stress response are as unique as the individual expressing them. It may be silent, reflective, venting, reminiscing, questioning, crying blaming or something else completely. Here are some things you can do:

Continue to serve by being aware of destructive stress responses: do not force spiritual care and avoid theological debates. Also, know when to refer and respect confidentiality after the hand-off.

Be aware of yourself, too: Take breaks, drink water, get proper nutrition, find spiritual renewal and debrief with others.

Community Connection... Wait Your Turn

• Respect the chain of command & know who is in charge
• Stay out of restricted and non-safe areas
• Respect the privacy of victims and others
• Cooperate with other agencies offering care
• Help ensure felt, physical and spiritual needs are met
• Be alert for changing and emerging stress-related needs
• Do not self-activate-wait to be called upon by authorities
• Do not release information to the media unless asked

Watch Your Words

Do NOT say things like: "I know how you feel.", "Be happy, it could be worse.", "You must be strong for...", "They are in a better place.", "You'll feel better when...", or "Pull yourself together."

You can try saying things like: "I'm here to help in any way that I can.", "I'll be thinking about you and praying for you.", "I really don't understand this either, but I know that we can still trust God.", "Sometimes there are no easy answers, but there are people around who care and want to help. Let them.", "It's important for you to know you are experiencing a normal response to a terrible event.", "Help your body to help your mind and spirit-eat nutritious food and sleep when you can." and "I'll walk with you through this."

Following the Crisis 

Great damage can occur if Christian youth workers disappear after a crisis. Take great care to follow-up with youth, but be considerate of teachers, administration, and other adults who have also had to manage the community's crisis. Your pre-existing relationships not only provided a unique role and responsibility during the crisis but also afterward. The best longterm plan is not contingent on you saving your community but linking arms with other caring members of your community.