LCMS Disaster Response, a ministry of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, offers resources to help congregations and members prepare for disasters and then provide relief and recovery assistance to those affected by a tragedy.
Resources focus on the spiritual, emotional, mental and physical well-being of congregation members and others in the community.
- Church Workers‘ Quick Reference Guide for Disasters and Pandemics — The guide covers what to do in the face of an impending disaster like a hurricane or forest fire, how to respond in the aftermath, strategies for self-care, and so much more. The resource also offers prayers, Scripture passages and hymns that are appropriate to use after a tragedy.
- Basic Disaster Debriefing — Following a local, regional or national disaster, LCMS Disaster Response uses 10 basic questions to stimulate healthy reflection and discussion among survivors.
- Gospel Proclamation — In spite of the devastation caused by natural disasters and the atrocities brought about by man-made ones, the preaching of the Gospel continues.
- Victims of Disaster — There are three types of disaster victims — direct, indirect and hidden. This resource offers information for understanding and offering help to all victims.
- Your Spiritual, Emotional, Mental and Physical Well-Being — In the aftermath of a tragedy, the importance of our spiritual, emotional, mental and physical (SEMP) well-being can easily be overlooked. Using the “SEMP Paradigm of Care,” here are a few simple coping strategies that may help relieve some of the apprehension and uncertainty that often accompany traumatic events.
LCMS Disaster Response
- Disaster Response: lcms.org/disaster
- Lutheran Early Response Teams: lcms-lert.org