Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share. 1 Timothy 6:18
“In the event of a major disaster, it is common for Christian disaster relief organizations to deploy to communities significantly affected to provide aid and organizational support. Many of these service groups have identified community needs and have built the expertise to provide solutions. Thus, you might also consider working with or through one of these groups.”
Jamie D. Aten and David M. Boan in Disaster Ministry Handbook (Downers Grove: IVP, 2016) 87.
Want to help your church be “ready to share” and help “provide solutions” in the wake of tragedies? Check out this resource to help prepare your congregation, get practical guidance for offering physical, emotional and spiritual care, and find resources and worksheets for emergency preparedness.
Not sure what organizations to support in the wake of hurricanes and other difficulties? I urge people to visit ServantMatch on the ECFA website. For example, you can locate ECFA-accredited organizations that offer hurricane relief. Visitors to the site can scroll through the list and pray about supporting one of the ministries.
What is the difference between giving aid to an ECFA-accredited organization versus other organizations? ECFA members annually demonstrate compliance with seven standards of responsible stewardship. That means gifts for crisis situations go where they are supposed to go. You can trust organizations with the ECFA seal!
As I serve part-time as ECFA International Liaison, reply to this email if you want to to know more about helping your church or ministry become an ECFA-accredited member. The ECFA seal enhances trust and rallies people to participate with you in God’s work through giving and service.
And I shot the new meditations photo yesterday on a three-hour fly fishing break with friends from Milwaukee. There was snow up in the mountains, but the sun was shining brightly. God blessed us with 16 trout. As my son Sammy says, “A fish is a glimpse of God’s extravagance, the only person enjoying that fish before we caught and released it was God.” Enjoy the view.