Disaster Ministry Handbook

“In this clearly written and practical manual, Drs. Aten and Boan have laid the groundwork for future disaster studies, in particular, for local churches meeting the needs of the vulnerable. People with cognitive disabilities and forms of mental illness require special attention in disaster risk and recovery. And people with disabilities are two to four times less likely to survive disasters than the rest of the population. In response, the authors have moved us wonderfully in the right direction. The reader highly recommends this book to all local church and Christian organizational leaders who are willing to assist people during their time of disaster need.” ~Taken from A review of Jamie D. Aten and David M. Boan. Disaster Ministry Handbook. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Books, 2016 in the Journal of Global Christianity (forthcoming).

This is a much-needed work in this particular area of disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. It combines those areas just mentioned with past disasters, best practices, practical questions, and several user-friendly forms to use as a template for developing plans for faith-based responses. I recommend this for those who are new to this arena, or to veterans for up-to-date information and future guidance. For those who are considering how to be involved in disaster ministries, this is also a stellar choice for getting the ball rolling well!

Excellent book to guide your church in preparing an emergency plan as well as exploring the framework to launch a disaster ministry. Note, when conducting a hazard assessment, save time by checking with your local Emergency Manager for the current county assessment. Your local EM is also likely to help you out with planning.

Very useful resource.

not limited to church

Have you ever wondered how to respond to crisis or disaster as a church? The volume will provide all the detail you could ever need on the subject. The Introduction tells the interesting way the authors developed their passion for this ministry and explains why few have ever thought more deeply about the subject than they have.I felt chapter two on disaster basics was enlightening. Especially things like disaster phases gave insight into what needs really are present over time, even beyond the initial crisis.Chapter three was the weakest as it used trendy terms to discuss Christian obligation. I believe a better theological presentation could have been given. The rest of the book is the nuts and bolts of disaster ministry including excellent forms to carry out their recommendations. That could hardly be better.Few might read it through as it has more of a manual feel, but I doubt any one attempting to implement a large disaster ministry, or write about it, will be able to ignore this volume going forward. My only criticism is that I don’t see how smaller churches could implement it. Still, I recommend it for all those interested in disaster ministry.I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Disasters come in many forms. The authors break them into four categories:* Natural Disasters* Technological and Accidental Hazards* Terrorist Hazards* Public Health EmergenciesThe author then goes on to discuss the various phases disaster response must respond to in the initial hours after being identified through the days, weeks, months that follow. Rarely is a local church, according to the authors, prepared to make a planned response to such urgent disasters. This book is designed to assist the local church to make advance preparation in order to support its members and community. At the same time it will want to dovetail its response to other responders (United Way, Salvation Army, first responders. etc.) in the community.The book is designed for the church leadership (starting with the pastor, regardless of the church size) as they prepare a local response in their community - but part of that job is identifying members of the church family that can contribute to the church’s response. This would include health professionals, first responders, mental health providers, etc., who are part of the congregation. This represents the second audience for which the book is intended. Ultimately, the book is designed to assist the team that the local church will need to build in order to respond - both its leadership and those trained to work alongside.The book not only builds a solid case for the church’s involvement in disaster recovery, but also provides practical tools to create a local church disaster response plan and how to integrate that response into that being provide by others in a given community, whether government or non-profit organizations.The authors present an new opportunity for local churches to minister within their local communities with the love of Christ during what can be some of the darkest times in that community’s life.______________This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

I received this book while attending the HDI Disaster Conference back in June. Finally getting to open into it and read. I have been the coordinator for my church disaster ministry for over a yr now. After being only a couple chapters into the book, I have found myself devoloping and preparing to implement many of the teaching to our ministry moving forward. Thouroughly enjoying reading this book and learning from it. If you have any interest in disaster ministry within your church I highly suggest you look into this book. This will be a useful learning tool carried with along with my bible.

Disasters happen. We as the church can (and should) be there to help. I actually read this book the week before one of the largest evacuations in Canadian History (Fort Mac) and was in Edmonton where many of the evacuees ended up that day. This past year, fires ravished large portions of BC and many thousands were displaced. Our communities and our churches stepped up but often this response was hap-hazard and lacked a cohesive plan.With that context in mind, I highly recommend this book. Written by two who have been through multiple disasters and the follow up they bring much wisdom and practical guidance, not only for how to prepare for a disaster and respond to the immediate aftermath but also to long term recovery. They also address many different kinds of disasters big and small and provide valuable guidance to how we can respond as the hands a feet of Jesus.