In December of 2007 our church was going through a “current events” Christmas sermon series.  The emphasis included a look at the the Christmas story from the view of those traveling through one crisis after another.  Government gone wild, unplanned pregnancy, family suspicion, no medical care for a delivery, etc.  At the beginning of the month a new low hit the 5 o’clock news – a church shooting.   The sermon title was “When Violence Comes to Church.”  From these events grew our church’s Safety Ministry Team.  I am proud of those that have worked to develop it, and I am proud of those who have endured it’s implementation.  It is very difficult to keep a balance living somewhere between prepared and paranoid.  It is important to remember that Jesus prayed “deliver us from evil” right after saying, “lead us not into temptation.”  The temptation is boldly promoted by the lazy steward that shrugs his shoulders and says, “God will take care of that.”  Two Scriptures help us find balance:

Proverbs 22:3 & Nehemiah 4:8,9 – “And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. 9 And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.”

A real situation at Gambia Church of Christ in Africa: Gambia Church of Christ

Online Resources:

• Angies’ List Disaster Recovery Recommendations:

• IDES Disaster Assistance Response Teams