Church Communications in a Crisis | Amy Whitfield

[Music] [Music] you can have a conversation with a media you can have a conversation with a media you can have a conversation with a media person to say um off the record I can I person to say um off the record I can I person to say um off the record I can I I I need to let you know that the family I I need to let you know that the family I I need to let you know that the family is not available for you to talk to uh is not available for you to talk to uh is not available for you to talk to uh for for this reason and so we I can't for for this reason and so we I can't for for this reason and so we I can't make them available but I will send you make them available but I will send you make them available but I will send you a statement within the next hour and a statement within the next hour and a statement within the next hour and that's what will be on the record so that's what will be on the record so that's what will be on the record so building in those kind instead of kind building in those kind instead of kind building in those kind instead of kind instead of panicking or if it's or if instead of panicking or if it's or if instead of panicking or if it's or if there's something that has happened uh there's something that has happened uh there's something that has happened uh that is like you said a crime I have that is like you said a crime I have that is like you said a crime I have relationships with members of the media relationships with members of the media relationships with members of the media I've been able to say hey off the record I've been able to say hey off the record I've been able to say hey off the record I'm not going to be able to to tell you I'm not going to be able to to tell you I'm not going to be able to to tell you anything um about this we're dealing anything um about this we're dealing anything um about this we're dealing with it right now I'll send you with it right now I'll send you with it right now I'll send you something in 30 minutes uh and then just something in 30 minutes uh and then just something in 30 minutes uh and then just just understanding you don't have to do just understanding you don't have to do just understanding you don't have to do onair interviews you can send written onair interviews you can send written onair interviews you can send written statements you can there's all kinds of statements you can there's all kinds of statements you can there's all kinds of things that you can do the worst thing things that you can do the worst thing things that you can do the worst thing you can do is say no you can do is say no you can do is say no comment welcome to season 4 episode 16 comment welcome to season 4 episode 16 comment welcome to season 4 episode 16 of the missional marketing podcast my of the missional marketing podcast my of the missional marketing podcast my name is Bart Blair I am the co-host of name is Bart Blair I am the co-host of name is Bart Blair I am the co-host of the show and it's my privilege to the show and it's my privilege to the show and it's my privilege to welcome you to the 140th episode of our welcome you to the 140th episode of our welcome you to the 140th episode of our show we produce this podcast to help show we produce this podcast to help show we produce this podcast to help churches grow by leveraging digital churches grow by leveraging digital churches grow by leveraging digital marketing and effective Communications marketing and effective Communications marketing and effective Communications and if you're a person that sits in the and if you're a person that sits in the and if you're a person that sits in the chair of your church where you have some chair of your church where you have some chair of your church where you have some oversight or some involvement in the oversight or some involvement in the oversight or some involvement in the communications the marketing the digital communications the marketing the digital communications the marketing the digital Outreach we sure hope that you're Outreach we sure hope that you're Outreach we sure hope that you're finding the content in this show to be finding the content in this show to be finding the content in this show to be helpful uh if you're new and you haven't helpful uh if you're new and you haven't helpful uh if you're new and you haven't ever subscribed or maybe you're not new ever subscribed or maybe you're not new ever subscribed or maybe you're not new and you haven't ever subscribed why and you haven't ever subscribed why and you haven't ever subscribed why don't you do that whether you're don't you do that whether you're don't you do that whether you're listening on Apple or Spotify Google uh listening on Apple or Spotify Google uh listening on Apple or Spotify Google uh or Stitcher or whatever your favorite

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find this that more and more people will find this podcast and ultimately find the content podcast and ultimately find the content podcast and ultimately find the content in this podcast to be helpful for their in this podcast to be helpful for their in this podcast to be helpful for their local church uh today uh I'm sharing local church uh today uh I'm sharing local church uh today uh I'm sharing with you an interview that I recently with you an interview that I recently with you an interview that I recently did with Amy Whitfield from The Summit did with Amy Whitfield from The Summit did with Amy Whitfield from The Summit Church if you've been listening to our Church if you've been listening to our Church if you've been listening to our podcast even in just this season uh podcast even in just this season uh podcast even in just this season uh you'll know that Amy was a guest on the you'll know that Amy was a guest on the you'll know that Amy was a guest on the show earlier uh this year uh Amy is the show earlier uh this year uh Amy is the show earlier uh this year uh Amy is the communications director uh at Summit communications director uh at Summit communications director uh at Summit Church is a large multicampus Church in Church is a large multicampus Church in Church is a large multicampus Church in the southeast United States and U she the southeast United States and U she the southeast United States and U she formerly uh served in the Southern formerly uh served in the Southern formerly uh served in the Southern Baptist convention in a Communications Baptist convention in a Communications Baptist convention in a Communications role and in our previous interview uh we role and in our previous interview uh we role and in our previous interview uh we brought up some topics related to crisis brought up some topics related to crisis brought up some topics related to crisis communication and in that episode we communication and in that episode we communication and in that episode we really didn't get into the details of really didn't get into the details of really didn't get into the details of that and I said you know I want to have that and I said you know I want to have that and I said you know I want to have Amy back on the show to talk a little Amy back on the show to talk a little Amy back on the show to talk a little bit more in depth about crisis bit more in depth about crisis bit more in depth about crisis communication in the context of the communication in the context of the communication in the context of the local church now here's the deal none of local church now here's the deal none of local church now here's the deal none of us ever want to be in a crisis situation us ever want to be in a crisis situation us ever want to be in a crisis situation but the worst thing that you can do for but the worst thing that you can do for but the worst thing that you can do for yourself and for your church is to find yourself and for your church is to find yourself and for your church is to find yourself in a crisis communication and yourself in a crisis communication and yourself in a crisis communication and not have a clear plan or a clear

not have a clear plan or a clear not have a clear plan or a clear strategy for how you're going to strategy for how you're going to strategy for how you're going to communicate whether that's communicating communicate whether that's communicating communicate whether that's communicating internally to your church family con internally to your church family con internally to your church family con internally to your staff uh outward to internally to your staff uh outward to internally to your staff uh outward to your community in general or ultimately your community in general or ultimately your community in general or ultimately to the press and sometimes a crisis is to the press and sometimes a crisis is to the press and sometimes a crisis is maybe something that happens in your maybe something that happens in your maybe something that happens in your church sometimes that crisis is church sometimes that crisis is church sometimes that crisis is something that happens in your community something that happens in your community something that happens in your community and it happens all the time and uh we and it happens all the time and uh we and it happens all the time and uh we find ourselves sometimes uh caught off find ourselves sometimes uh caught off find ourselves sometimes uh caught off guard and the best thing that you can do guard and the best thing that you can do guard and the best thing that you can do for yourself is to develop a plan a for yourself is to develop a plan a for yourself is to develop a plan a strategy for crisis communication that strategy for crisis communication that strategy for crisis communication that Lord willing you never have to use but Lord willing you never have to use but Lord willing you never have to use but in the case that you do need to have one in the case that you do need to have one in the case that you do need to have one it's always good to have one in place so it's always good to have one in place so it's always good to have one in place so uh I think that you're going to find uh I think that you're going to find uh I think that you're going to find this podcast to be super helpful Amy is this podcast to be super helpful Amy is this podcast to be super helpful Amy is one of the smartest brightest sharpest one of the smartest brightest sharpest one of the smartest brightest sharpest Minds in the church communication space Minds in the church communication space Minds in the church communication space and I think that you're going to learn a and I think that you're going to learn a and I think that you're going to learn a lot from this particular episode thanks lot from this particular episode thanks lot from this particular episode thanks again for tuning in to this week's again for tuning in to this week's again for tuning in to this week's episode of the missional marketing episode of the missional marketing episode of the missional marketing podcast again I'm Bart Blair and here's podcast again I'm Bart Blair and here's podcast again I'm Bart Blair and here's my interview with Amy Whitfield my interview with Amy Whitfield my interview with Amy Whitfield Amy welcome back to the missional Amy welcome back to the missional Amy welcome back to the missional marketing podcast so glad to hang out marketing podcast so glad to hang out marketing podcast so glad to hang out with you today hey I'm really happy to with you today hey I'm really happy to with you today hey I'm really happy to be here thanks for having me again now be here thanks for having me again now be here thanks for having me again now you're very welcome so um I sort of set you're very welcome so um I sort of set you're very welcome so um I sort of set this up in uh the um intro for the this up in uh the um intro for the this up in uh the um intro for the podcast but we had you on the show a podcast but we had you on the show a podcast but we had you on the show a couple of months ago we had a great couple of months ago we had a great couple of months ago we had a great conversation about your role at Summit conversation about your role at Summit conversation about your role at Summit Church and all the new things that Church and all the new things that Church and all the new things that you've been learning as you stepped out you've been learning as you stepped out you've been learning as you stepped out of sort of denominational Communications of sort of denominational Communications of sort of denominational Communications and into local church but it's local and into local church but it's local and into local church but it's local church on a pretty Grand scale as Summit church on a pretty Grand scale as Summit church on a pretty Grand scale as Summit is a is a pretty it's a pretty large is a is a pretty it's a pretty large is a is a pretty it's a pretty large church with a pretty large footprint um

church with a pretty large footprint um church with a pretty large footprint um and you dropped a little nugget in the and you dropped a little nugget in the and you dropped a little nugget in the middle of that conversation about middle of that conversation about middle of that conversation about Christ's Communication in church and Christ's Communication in church and Christ's Communication in church and said that this was something that you're said that this was something that you're said that this was something that you're passionate about and so I said we're passionate about and so I said we're passionate about and so I said we're gonna get you back on the show that's gonna get you back on the show that's gonna get you back on the show that's what we've done and we're gonna talk what we've done and we're gonna talk what we've done and we're gonna talk about that today that is going to be the about that today that is going to be the about that today that is going to be the topic of our conversation crisis topic of our conversation crisis topic of our conversation crisis Communication in a church but before we Communication in a church but before we Communication in a church but before we get into that topic uh for those that get into that topic uh for those that get into that topic uh for those that maybe didn't listen to the last episode maybe didn't listen to the last episode maybe didn't listen to the last episode shame on them uh they don't know your shame on them uh they don't know your shame on them uh they don't know your background they don't know who you are background they don't know who you are background they don't know who you are maybe they don't know anything about maybe they don't know anything about maybe they don't know anything about Summit Church give us a little bit of uh Summit Church give us a little bit of uh Summit Church give us a little bit of uh background on just uh your ministry background on just uh your ministry background on just uh your ministry history and Summit Church and what your history and Summit Church and what your history and Summit Church and what your role there entails great well yes as you role there entails great well yes as you role there entails great well yes as you said I'm at The Summit Church it's in said I'm at The Summit Church it's in said I'm at The Summit Church it's in the Raleigh Durham uh area of North the Raleigh Durham uh area of North the Raleigh Durham uh area of North Carolina so Raleigh Durham Chapel Hill Carolina so Raleigh Durham Chapel Hill Carolina so Raleigh Durham Chapel Hill uh the triangle and uh we have about 13 uh the triangle and uh we have about 13 uh the triangle and uh we have about 13 campuses here and uh reach about 11 campuses here and uh reach about 11 campuses here and uh reach about 11 12,000 people in the area a week and uh 12,000 people in the area a week and uh 12,000 people in the area a week and uh it's it's an incredible uh place trying it's it's an incredible uh place trying it's it's an incredible uh place trying to create a movement of discipl making to create a movement of discipl making to create a movement of discipl making disciples in RDU and around the world so disciples in RDU and around the world so disciples in RDU and around the world so I serve here as the executive director I serve here as the executive director I serve here as the executive director of communications and I've been doing of communications and I've been doing of communications and I've been doing that for two and a half years now that for two and a half years now that for two and a half years now focusing on churchwide communication focusing on churchwide communication focusing on churchwide communication staff communication uh crisis staff communication uh crisis staff communication uh crisis communication which is uh what we're communication which is uh what we're communication which is uh what we're talking about today um before that my um talking about today um before that my um talking about today um before that my um my uh my professional life has been as my uh my professional life has been as my uh my professional life has been as you said was in you said was in you said was in denominational uh service in the denominational uh service in the denominational uh service in the Southern Baptist convention so I I Southern Baptist convention so I I Southern Baptist convention so I I worked for four different entities over worked for four different entities over worked for four different entities over the years um the last couple of them the years um the last couple of them the years um the last couple of them were as communications director so yeah

were as communications director so yeah were as communications director so yeah yeah and it I mean I I I don't want to yeah and it I mean I I I don't want to yeah and it I mean I I I don't want to highlight something that really doesn't highlight something that really doesn't highlight something that really doesn't need to be highlighted but in your time need to be highlighted but in your time need to be highlighted but in your time with the Southern Baptist convention with the Southern Baptist convention with the Southern Baptist convention there was some crisis uh stuff that took there was some crisis uh stuff that took there was some crisis uh stuff that took place within the denomination and so you place within the denomination and so you place within the denomination and so you uh probably a little baptism by fire uh uh probably a little baptism by fire uh uh probably a little baptism by fire uh in terms of in terms of in terms of Le manage some of those things but what Le manage some of those things but what Le manage some of those things but what we want to do today is really really we want to do today is really really we want to do today is really really kind of bring things down to a local kind of bring things down to a local kind of bring things down to a local church level um and let's let's talk church level um and let's let's talk church level um and let's let's talk about that a little bit um nobody wants about that a little bit um nobody wants about that a little bit um nobody wants to think that their Church could find to think that their Church could find to think that their Church could find itself in a crisis there are all kinds itself in a crisis there are all kinds itself in a crisis there are all kinds of different things uh for which a of different things uh for which a of different things uh for which a church could need to have a crisis church could need to have a crisis church could need to have a crisis response plan when it comes to their response plan when it comes to their response plan when it comes to their Communications but why don't you share a Communications but why don't you share a Communications but why don't you share a little bit about what you've found to be little bit about what you've found to be little bit about what you've found to be some of the things that churches need to some of the things that churches need to some of the things that churches need to anticipate and maybe some of their best anticipate and maybe some of their best anticipate and maybe some of their best some of the best practices to just help some of the best practices to just help some of the best practices to just help them get ready for some sort of response them get ready for some sort of response them get ready for some sort of response to a situation that again the kind that to a situation that again the kind that to a situation that again the kind that nobody wants to see or experience yes nobody wants to see or experience yes nobody wants to see or experience yes well first of all as you mentioned um well first of all as you mentioned um well first of all as you mentioned um one of the one of the reasons that one of the one of the reasons that one of the one of the reasons that churches are often not prepared for a churches are often not prepared for a churches are often not prepared for a crisis is because they don't want to be crisis is because they don't want to be crisis is because they don't want to be like they don't want to think it's going like they don't want to think it's going like they don't want to think it's going to happen um so many people will put a to happen um so many people will put a to happen um so many people will put a crisis only in the category of like the crisis only in the category of like the crisis only in the category of like the church did something wrong and that can church did something wrong and that can church did something wrong and that can happen you know there are mistakes that happen you know there are mistakes that happen you know there are mistakes that churches make or that leaders make um uh churches make or that leaders make um uh churches make or that leaders make um uh even as far as crimes that's certainly a even as far as crimes that's certainly a even as far as crimes that's certainly a thing uh but those are not the only thing uh but those are not the only thing uh but those are not the only types of Crisis uh you know there could

types of Crisis uh you know there could types of Crisis uh you know there could be a tragedy that happens in the church be a tragedy that happens in the church be a tragedy that happens in the church you could have a um you know an you could have a um you know an you could have a um you know an environmental does that like you could environmental does that like you could environmental does that like you could your church you have an earthquake you your church you have an earthquake you your church you have an earthquake you could have anything you know you could could have anything you know you could could have anything you know you could have a major issue that happens to your have a major issue that happens to your have a major issue that happens to your building um anything that is going to building um anything that is going to building um anything that is going to cause significant cause significant cause significant disruption for your people or or for disruption for your people or or for disruption for your people or or for your community it fits in that it's a your community it fits in that it's a your community it fits in that it's a you you need to think about crisis you you need to think about crisis you you need to think about crisis response and so a lot of times people response and so a lot of times people response and so a lot of times people don't want to think that bad things are don't want to think that bad things are don't want to think that bad things are going to happen but they are and what going to happen but they are and what going to happen but they are and what you want is to be prepared um and it's you want is to be prepared um and it's you want is to be prepared um and it's not because of you know PR spin it's not because of you know PR spin it's not because of you know PR spin it's because the best way to care for your because the best way to care for your because the best way to care for your people is to communicate well with them people is to communicate well with them people is to communicate well with them um because they are going to be anxious um because they are going to be anxious um because they are going to be anxious they are going to be uneasy they're they are going to be uneasy they're they are going to be uneasy they're going to be confused about whatever may going to be confused about whatever may going to be confused about whatever may be happening and you're the one to step be happening and you're the one to step be happening and you're the one to step in and to lead um and to help them so in and to lead um and to help them so in and to lead um and to help them so it's the best way to care for them yeah it's the best way to care for them yeah it's the best way to care for them yeah yeah I I that's a really really good yeah I I that's a really really good yeah I I that's a really really good point I think because in the grand point I think because in the grand point I think because in the grand scheme of things if you're in the scheme of things if you're in the scheme of things if you're in the communications director role Your Role communications director role Your Role communications director role Your Role is really to primarily support the is really to primarily support the is really to primarily support the senior leadership the elders the those senior leadership the elders the those senior leadership the elders the those that are actually leading the church and that are actually leading the church and that are actually leading the church and most often those guys or gals are pretty most often those guys or gals are pretty most often those guys or gals are pretty effective in their communication and effective in their communication and effective in their communication and they and and and often times they have a they and and and often times they have a they and and and often times they have a really strong Shepherd's Heart and they really strong Shepherd's Heart and they really strong Shepherd's Heart and they want to care for their people obviously want to care for their people obviously want to care for their people obviously the larger the church um the more the larger the church um the more the larger the church um the more complex the communication strategy needs

complex the communication strategy needs complex the communication strategy needs to be but one of the things that we do to be but one of the things that we do to be but one of the things that we do here is Define uh effective Church here is Define uh effective Church here is Define uh effective Church Communications and and and the way that Communications and and and the way that Communications and and and the way that we Define it is to say it's the right we Define it is to say it's the right we Define it is to say it's the right message in the right timing to the right message in the right timing to the right message in the right timing to the right people on the right platform and so in people on the right platform and so in people on the right platform and so in any crisis response situation you've got any crisis response situation you've got any crisis response situation you've got to ask yourself those questions who to ask yourself those questions who to ask yourself those questions who needs to know what when do they need to needs to know what when do they need to needs to know what when do they need to know it and how do I effectively know it and how do I effectively know it and how do I effectively communicate that to them so that's right communicate that to them so that's right communicate that to them so that's right why don't you kind of walk us through why don't you kind of walk us through why don't you kind of walk us through some of the things that you have maybe some of the things that you have maybe some of the things that you have maybe built into your crisis response plan or built into your crisis response plan or built into your crisis response plan or maybe just general things that you would maybe just general things that you would maybe just general things that you would expect a church that would would need to expect a church that would would need to expect a church that would would need to do yeah so the first thing that um that do yeah so the first thing that um that do yeah so the first thing that um that we've done is I you know I and and some we've done is I you know I and and some we've done is I you know I and and some others on my team we have had a lot of others on my team we have had a lot of others on my team we have had a lot of conversations with church leaders conversations with church leaders conversations with church leaders whether that's kind of our main Central whether that's kind of our main Central whether that's kind of our main Central uh Ministry leaders or if it's um campus uh Ministry leaders or if it's um campus uh Ministry leaders or if it's um campus pastors that we have out in the field pastors that we have out in the field pastors that we have out in the field because you know sometimes you can have because you know sometimes you can have because you know sometimes you can have an incident that happens just at the an incident that happens just at the an incident that happens just at the campus level um and so you got to figure campus level um and so you got to figure campus level um and so you got to figure out how to communicate to that campus out how to communicate to that campus out how to communicate to that campus for us as a multisite church but for us as a multisite church but for us as a multisite church but basically anybody whether it's our kids basically anybody whether it's our kids basically anybody whether it's our kids ministry leader or um you know anything ministry leader or um you know anything ministry leader or um you know anything else that they first of all know that else that they first of all know that else that they first of all know that when a crisis comes if they hear when a crisis comes if they hear when a crisis comes if they hear something if something happens that they something if something happens that they something if something happens that they are prepared to be able to stay calm um are prepared to be able to stay calm um are prepared to be able to stay calm um to just respond with a lot of care and to just respond with a lot of care and to just respond with a lot of care and then to know immediately who to call um then to know immediately who to call um then to know immediately who to call um and that's typically me and there are and that's typically me and there are and that's typically me and there are you know a few other people on our staff

you know a few other people on our staff you know a few other people on our staff so the first thing is to say know who to so the first thing is to say know who to so the first thing is to say know who to call call call because a lot of times someone in in because a lot of times someone in in because a lot of times someone in in that position over a Ministry they that position over a Ministry they that position over a Ministry they immediately start to panic because they immediately start to panic because they immediately start to panic because they think I'm responsible for everything um think I'm responsible for everything um think I'm responsible for everything um now you may have a smaller staff and you now you may have a smaller staff and you now you may have a smaller staff and you you know don't have a communications you know don't have a communications you know don't have a communications director that's fine you've decided director that's fine you've decided director that's fine you've decided this is the person that's going will be this is the person that's going will be this is the person that's going will be the point person anytime there's a the point person anytime there's a the point person anytime there's a crisis and so then that way your folks crisis and so then that way your folks crisis and so then that way your folks always know okay I'm going to bring this always know okay I'm going to bring this always know okay I'm going to bring this person in it's incredible the difference person in it's incredible the difference person in it's incredible the difference that happens when um your staff knows that happens when um your staff knows that happens when um your staff knows they're part of a team and they're not they're part of a team and they're not they're part of a team and they're not navigating something by themselves um so navigating something by themselves um so navigating something by themselves um so that's the kind of the first thing the that's the kind of the first thing the that's the kind of the first thing the second thing is to go ahead and have a second thing is to go ahead and have a second thing is to go ahead and have a command of all your communication command of all your communication command of all your communication channels um phone email stage channels um phone email stage channels um phone email stage announcements um all your social media announcements um all your social media announcements um all your social media channels kind of all the things and be channels kind of all the things and be channels kind of all the things and be thinking through so that in in the thinking through so that in in the thinking through so that in in the moment when when crisis happens you moment when when crisis happens you moment when when crisis happens you already know okay how can we get the already know okay how can we get the already know okay how can we get the word out we'll have to decide which one word out we'll have to decide which one word out we'll have to decide which one of these channels if we use all of them of these channels if we use all of them of these channels if we use all of them to get the word out about something um to get the word out about something um to get the word out about something um and then to be ready to ask who needs to and then to be ready to ask who needs to and then to be ready to ask who needs to know about this whatever it's happened know about this whatever it's happened know about this whatever it's happened and when and who needs to hear directly and when and who needs to hear directly and when and who needs to hear directly so a lot of times like say there's an so a lot of times like say there's an so a lot of times like say there's an incident that happens you know sometimes incident that happens you know sometimes incident that happens you know sometimes Maybe an incident that happens in your Maybe an incident that happens in your Maybe an incident that happens in your children's ministry um could be you know children's ministry um could be you know children's ministry um could be you know a an an accident in the class or even a an an accident in the class or even a an an accident in the class or even down to like somebody brought peanuts down to like somebody brought peanuts down to like somebody brought peanuts into the CLA into the class when they into the CLA into the class when they into the CLA into the class when they weren't supposed to and you've got you

weren't supposed to and you've got you weren't supposed to and you've got you know kids with allergies I know that know kids with allergies I know that know kids with allergies I know that doesn't seem like a crisis but if you doesn't seem like a crisis but if you doesn't seem like a crisis but if you don't handle it with care you can don't handle it with care you can don't handle it with care you can actually cause you know concern to the actually cause you know concern to the actually cause you know concern to the parent of a child yeah with a parent parent of a child yeah with a parent parent of a child yeah with a parent with a child with a net allergy it is a with a child with a net allergy it is a with a child with a net allergy it is a crisis we have to be sensitive to that crisis we have to be sensitive to that crisis we have to be sensitive to that yeah that's right so to them it's a yeah that's right so to them it's a yeah that's right so to them it's a crisis and then like I said it may not crisis and then like I said it may not crisis and then like I said it may not you may be thinking only of things that you may be thinking only of things that you may be thinking only of things that are in the news but this is a crisis to are in the news but this is a crisis to are in the news but this is a crisis to that group of people so what you have to that group of people so what you have to that group of people so what you have to start thinking through is when the start thinking through is when the start thinking through is when the incident happens are there people who incident happens are there people who incident happens are there people who need to get phone calls who need to they need to get phone calls who need to they need to get phone calls who need to they need to hear it directly from a pastor need to hear it directly from a pastor need to hear it directly from a pastor are there people you know is there a are there people you know is there a are there people you know is there a group that needs to get an email what group that needs to get an email what group that needs to get an email what you want to think through you want to think through you want to think through is who are the people that we want to is who are the people that we want to is who are the people that we want to make sure they don't hear this this make sure they don't hear this this make sure they don't hear this this through the grapevine they hear it from through the grapevine they hear it from through the grapevine they hear it from us because they know that we cared us because they know that we cared us because they know that we cared enough to to let them know personally um enough to to let them know personally um enough to to let them know personally um and so we will often develop sort of and so we will often develop sort of and so we will often develop sort of circles of communication um this group circles of communication um this group circles of communication um this group of maybe you know we have a large staff of maybe you know we have a large staff of maybe you know we have a large staff so we will identify that this particular so we will identify that this particular so we will identify that this particular group of Staff needs to be alerted first group of Staff needs to be alerted first group of Staff needs to be alerted first so that they're not confused so that so that they're not confused so that so that they're not confused so that they're prepared for questions as so we they're prepared for questions as so we they're prepared for questions as so we will talk to them first then we will will talk to them first then we will will talk to them first then we will kind of move it out depending on who is kind of move it out depending on who is kind of move it out depending on who is affected and determined and then by the affected and determined and then by the affected and determined and then by the end you know maybe you have a public end you know maybe you have a public end you know maybe you have a public announcement of some sort I always will announcement of some sort I always will announcement of some sort I always will work backwards to say the Public work backwards to say the Public work backwards to say the Public Announcement is coming at the end now Announcement is coming at the end now Announcement is coming at the end now who needs to know before that and in

who needs to know before that and in who needs to know before that and in what order so being sort of prepared to what order so being sort of prepared to what order so being sort of prepared to ask who needs to learn um and then also ask who needs to learn um and then also ask who needs to learn um and then also because you do have some that are more because you do have some that are more because you do have some that are more public as you mentioned you know my my public as you mentioned you know my my public as you mentioned you know my my previous role with the Southern Baptist previous role with the Southern Baptist previous role with the Southern Baptist convention a lot of the crises uh there convention a lot of the crises uh there convention a lot of the crises uh there were extremely public and still are on a were extremely public and still are on a were extremely public and still are on a national even Global level um no social national even Global level um no social national even Global level um no social media well have someone that knows media well have someone that knows media well have someone that knows social media knows uh the mainstream social media knows uh the mainstream social media knows uh the mainstream media well is able to track um and to be media well is able to track um and to be media well is able to track um and to be able to talk to people you know that are able to talk to people you know that are able to talk to people you know that are in those spaces um to answer questions in those spaces um to answer questions in those spaces um to answer questions that if you if you that if you if you that if you if you can Amy are you are you familiar with a can Amy are you are you familiar with a can Amy are you are you familiar with a a strategy called stakeholder mapping is a strategy called stakeholder mapping is a strategy called stakeholder mapping is that that that to you yeah so what when when you're to you yeah so what when when you're to you yeah so what when when you're talking about this this is what it talking about this this is what it talking about this this is what it reminds me of so I'm gonna use my hands reminds me of so I'm gonna use my hands reminds me of so I'm gonna use my hands so for those of you who are listening to so for those of you who are listening to so for those of you who are listening to this podcast you won't get it if you're this podcast you won't get it if you're this podcast you won't get it if you're watching on our YouTube channel you'll watching on our YouTube channel you'll watching on our YouTube channel you'll you you'll understand better if you've you you'll understand better if you've you you'll understand better if you've never done stakeholder mapping in a never done stakeholder mapping in a never done stakeholder mapping in a situation in which you have an immediate situation in which you have an immediate situation in which you have an immediate communication need this is a great communication need this is a great communication need this is a great exercise to do uh in stakeholder mapping exercise to do uh in stakeholder mapping exercise to do uh in stakeholder mapping what you do is you you essentially um what you do is you you essentially um what you do is you you essentially um draw a a cross in the middle of a piece draw a a cross in the middle of a piece draw a a cross in the middle of a piece of paper you make a list of all of the of paper you make a list of all of the of paper you make a list of all of the people who need to have some level of people who need to have some level of people who need to have some level of communication with them this could be communication with them this could be communication with them this could be groups of people or individual people groups of people or individual people groups of people or individual people and then you think about on the uh I and then you think about on the uh I and then you think about on the uh I don't know my X and Y AIS uh you can you don't know my X and Y AIS uh you can you don't know my X and Y AIS uh you can you can help me out here if you know but the can help me out here if you know but the can help me out here if you know but the vertical is people's um investment in

vertical is people's um investment in vertical is people's um investment in the uh particular I issue or topic uh so the uh particular I issue or topic uh so the uh particular I issue or topic uh so from the bottom it's they they have low from the bottom it's they they have low from the bottom it's they they have low investment to the top they have high investment to the top they have high investment to the top they have high investment and then from left to right investment and then from left to right investment and then from left to right you have their influence in the church you have their influence in the church you have their influence in the church left you know the far left being little left you know the far left being little left you know the far left being little influence the far right being high level influence the far right being high level influence the far right being high level of influence so you have these four of influence so you have these four of influence so you have these four quadrants and the people who are in that quadrants and the people who are in that quadrants and the people who are in that bottom left quadrant are the people who bottom left quadrant are the people who bottom left quadrant are the people who are not really invested and who don't are not really invested and who don't are not really invested and who don't have much influence the people who are have much influence the people who are have much influence the people who are at the top right are the people who are at the top right are the people who are at the top right are the people who are the most invested and have the most the most invested and have the most the most invested and have the most influence so for instance children's influence so for instance children's influence so for instance children's ministry situation people who are ministry situation people who are ministry situation people who are invested in the children's ministry invested in the children's ministry invested in the children's ministry whether that be parents volunteers or whether that be parents volunteers or whether that be parents volunteers or staff members they're both going to staff members they're both going to staff members they're both going to they're all going to be on the top level they're all going to be on the top level they're all going to be on the top level of the those that are invested in the of the those that are invested in the of the those that are invested in the children's ministry some of those people children's ministry some of those people children's ministry some of those people are key influencers meaning they're what are key influencers meaning they're what are key influencers meaning they're what they say carries more weight with more they say carries more weight with more they say carries more weight with more people in the church they fit in that people in the church they fit in that people in the church they fit in that top right category those people are the top right category those people are the top right category those people are the people you have to have iners one-on-one people you have to have iners one-on-one people you have to have iners one-on-one conversations with whereas the people conversations with whereas the people conversations with whereas the people who are in that bottom left quadrant you who are in that bottom left quadrant you who are in that bottom left quadrant you can probably make an announcement on a can probably make an announcement on a can probably make an announcement on a Sunday or shoot them an email and that's Sunday or shoot them an email and that's Sunday or shoot them an email and that's probably enough right so as you're think probably enough right so as you're think probably enough right so as you're think yeah so as you're thinking about your yeah so as you're thinking about your yeah so as you're thinking about your your communication strategy uh having your communication strategy uh having your communication strategy uh having some sort of cascading plan where you're some sort of cascading plan where you're some sort of cascading plan where you're communicating to the to the people that communicating to the to the people that communicating to the to the people that are closest to it the most invested in are closest to it the most invested in are closest to it the most invested in it and those who have most influence in it and those who have most influence in it and those who have most influence in the church that you're that that the church that you're that that the church that you're that that communication is much more personal and communication is much more personal and communication is much more personal and indepth um and clarifying whereas those indepth um and clarifying whereas those indepth um and clarifying whereas those that are further out don't necessarily that are further out don't necessarily that are further out don't necessarily need the same level of information I

need the same level of information I need the same level of information I think that's a mistake that churches think that's a mistake that churches think that's a mistake that churches make not just in crisis communication make not just in crisis communication make not just in crisis communication but in communication in general is that but in communication in general is that but in communication in general is that we communicate the same thing to we communicate the same thing to we communicate the same thing to everybody all the time the same way everybody all the time the same way everybody all the time the same way where we don't really evaluate that where we don't really evaluate that where we don't really evaluate that there are some people that just they there are some people that just they there are some people that just they simply need to know there are some simply need to know there are some simply need to know there are some people that if you make the announcement people that if you make the announcement people that if you make the announcement on Sunday morning and they haven't had a on Sunday morning and they haven't had a on Sunday morning and they haven't had a personal conversation about it they're personal conversation about it they're personal conversation about it they're going to be totally offended and hurt going to be totally offended and hurt going to be totally offended and hurt that's right uh that they that they that's right uh that they that they that's right uh that they that they weren't in the know before that happened weren't in the know before that happened weren't in the know before that happened whereas other people for some situations whereas other people for some situations whereas other people for some situations they they may not even hear the they they may not even hear the they they may not even hear the announcement on Sunday morning right so announcement on Sunday morning right so announcement on Sunday morning right so anyway and they're okay that's what your anyway and they're okay that's what your anyway and they're okay that's what your your your process there sort of reminded your your process there sort of reminded your your process there sort of reminded me of that that strategy yeah that's me of that that strategy yeah that's me of that that strategy yeah that's exactly and that's exactly right I do it exactly and that's exactly right I do it exactly and that's exactly right I do it in concentric circles that's kind of how in concentric circles that's kind of how in concentric circles that's kind of how draw it out you know on my on my paper draw it out you know on my on my paper draw it out you know on my on my paper but it it helps because what you and but it it helps because what you and but it it helps because what you and where you want to actually you want to where you want to actually you want to where you want to actually you want to think in the negative like if we don't think in the negative like if we don't think in the negative like if we don't act or we don't speak to this act or we don't speak to this act or we don't speak to this group like who are the people that will group like who are the people that will group like who are the people that will be upset and then you also have to just be upset and then you also have to just be upset and then you also have to just step back and realize you are you're step back and realize you are you're step back and realize you are you're building something you're building building something you're building building something you're building Capital You're Building credibility Capital You're Building credibility Capital You're Building credibility You're Building uh some a foundation You're Building uh some a foundation You're Building uh some a foundation where they will trust you in future where they will trust you in future where they will trust you in future crises if you handle this you know with crises if you handle this you know with crises if you handle this you know with care and you're also saving yourself a care and you're also saving yourself a care and you're also saving yourself a lot of difficult conversations on the lot of difficult conversations on the lot of difficult conversations on the back end with people who have all sorts back end with people who have all sorts back end with people who have all sorts of questions you've answered it on the of questions you've answered it on the of questions you've answered it on the front end by just reaching out to them front end by just reaching out to them front end by just reaching out to them um so I think uh you know some of the um so I think uh you know some of the um so I think uh you know some of the challenges that people will have is challenges that people will have is challenges that people will have is first of all uh sometimes folks will

first of all uh sometimes folks will first of all uh sometimes folks will want to shut down and not answer any want to shut down and not answer any want to shut down and not answer any questions um that's a huge mistake uh questions um that's a huge mistake uh questions um that's a huge mistake uh there was one uh one situation that I there was one uh one situation that I there was one uh one situation that I remember remember remember helping with um and it was a a church helping with um and it was a a church helping with um and it was a a church that had just a terrible tragedy in that had just a terrible tragedy in that had just a terrible tragedy in their community and a member of their their community and a member of their their community and a member of their church had had actually committed a church had had actually committed a church had had actually committed a crime um and their initial steps they crime um and their initial steps they crime um and their initial steps they did they did kind of move on to to did they did kind of move on to to did they did kind of move on to to handle things better but their initial handle things better but their initial handle things better but their initial steps were to just shut the doors um steps were to just shut the doors um steps were to just shut the doors um stop taking any calls not respond to stop taking any calls not respond to stop taking any calls not respond to anybody they turn their website off anybody they turn their website off anybody they turn their website off here's what happens they didn't know here's what happens they didn't know here's what happens they didn't know what to do they their motives were not what to do they their motives were not what to do they their motives were not bad had but they were so afraid uh bad had but they were so afraid uh bad had but they were so afraid uh because they weren't sure how to answer because they weren't sure how to answer because they weren't sure how to answer that they actually let their silence that they actually let their silence that they actually let their silence fill in the gaps for everybody so it fill in the gaps for everybody so it fill in the gaps for everybody so it opens the door for people to speculate opens the door for people to speculate opens the door for people to speculate about what's going on it's amazing how about what's going on it's amazing how about what's going on it's amazing how far you can get just by saying we are far you can get just by saying we are far you can get just by saying we are aware of the situation we just learned aware of the situation we just learned aware of the situation we just learned about it ourselves uh today our about it ourselves uh today our about it ourselves uh today our leadership is informed right now and is leadership is informed right now and is leadership is informed right now and is is processing what to do next if you say is processing what to do next if you say is processing what to do next if you say that that actually buys you it's the that that actually buys you it's the that that actually buys you it's the time that you need to make your plan um time that you need to make your plan um time that you need to make your plan um the problem is that a lot of people just the problem is that a lot of people just the problem is that a lot of people just want to shut down and not respond at all want to shut down and not respond at all want to shut down and not respond at all um and so that that that can be you know um and so that that that can be you know um and so that that that can be you know a real that that's it's a really easy a real that that's it's a really easy a real that that's it's a really easy step um but it's but it's it's one that step um but it's but it's it's one that step um but it's but it's it's one that that folks forget a lot Amy have you

that folks forget a lot Amy have you that folks forget a lot Amy have you ever spent any time around church people ever spent any time around church people ever spent any time around church people yes I have here's one lesson that I've yes I have here's one lesson that I've yes I have here's one lesson that I've learned about church people over all my learned about church people over all my learned about church people over all my decades in Ministry and that is when decades in Ministry and that is when decades in Ministry and that is when church people don't have information church people don't have information church people don't have information they make up their own yes they do but they make up their own yes they do but they make up their own yes they do but there are gaps I mean we do it with the there are gaps I mean we do it with the there are gaps I mean we do it with the Bible and we do it with everything else Bible and we do it with everything else Bible and we do it with everything else where the Bible is silent we like to where the Bible is silent we like to where the Bible is silent we like to fill in the details right and people fill in the details right and people fill in the details right and people will do people will do that in the will do people will do that in the will do people will do that in the church as well in every every level of church as well in every every level of church as well in every every level of stuff relationships uh Ministry stuff relationships uh Ministry stuff relationships uh Ministry strategies if they don't have strategies if they don't have strategies if they don't have information uh there will always be information uh there will always be information uh there will always be people in the church that will sort of people in the church that will sort of people in the church that will sort of fill in the blanks for themselves and fill in the blanks for themselves and fill in the blanks for themselves and more often than not they will go to more often than not they will go to more often than not they will go to worst case scenarios right and it's it's worst case scenarios right and it's it's worst case scenarios right and it's it's good to remember that a lot of times good to remember that a lot of times good to remember that a lot of times this isn't malicious on their part this this isn't malicious on their part this this isn't malicious on their part this comes out of anxiety they don't know comes out of anxiety they don't know comes out of anxiety they don't know what's happening and so they are afraid what's happening and so they are afraid what's happening and so they are afraid of the worst if you step into that gap of the worst if you step into that gap of the worst if you step into that gap for them and say hey I can't share any for them and say hey I can't share any for them and say hey I can't share any details right now because of the details right now because of the details right now because of the sensitivity of this issue um but we we sensitivity of this issue um but we we sensitivity of this issue um but we we are planning to address it on Sunday we are planning to address it on Sunday we are planning to address it on Sunday we will let you know if anything comes in will let you know if anything comes in will let you know if anything comes in the meantime or planning to send the meantime or planning to send the meantime or planning to send something out tomorrow but we've just something out tomorrow but we've just something out tomorrow but we've just learned about it ourselves so if we learned about it ourselves so if we learned about it ourselves so if we could just you know if you could just could just you know if you could just could just you know if you could just give us a little bit of time to process give us a little bit of time to process give us a little bit of time to process this it's amazing how far that will get this it's amazing how far that will get this it's amazing how far that will get because some people just want to know because some people just want to know because some people just want to know okay they know about it um they're okay they know about it um they're okay they know about it um they're taking care of it I can step back and taking care of it I can step back and taking care of it I can step back and and let that they feel Security in that and let that they feel Security in that and let that they feel Security in that and so in that way you're caring for and so in that way you're caring for and so in that way you're caring for your people you're not just putting

your people you're not just putting your people you're not just putting Optics out there you're actually you're Optics out there you're actually you're Optics out there you're actually you're actually caring for them and stepping actually caring for them and stepping actually caring for them and stepping forward in that way um one thing that forward in that way um one thing that forward in that way um one thing that can happen a lot is people will either can happen a lot is people will either can happen a lot is people will either move too slowly or they'll move too move too slowly or they'll move too move too slowly or they'll move too quickly um uh when they when they move quickly um uh when they when they move quickly um uh when they when they move too quickly they start you know I just too quickly they start you know I just too quickly they start you know I just said one bad thing is that they shut said one bad thing is that they shut said one bad thing is that they shut down the other bad thing is they start down the other bad thing is they start down the other bad thing is they start answering all the questions and they answering all the questions and they answering all the questions and they start and everybody's talking so this start and everybody's talking so this start and everybody's talking so this person is talking over here and giving person is talking over here and giving person is talking over here and giving this amount of information another this amount of information another this amount of information another person is answering these questions and person is answering these questions and person is answering these questions and giving additional information then giving additional information then giving additional information then people start talking to each other and people start talking to each other and people start talking to each other and they get confused and you don't have a they get confused and you don't have a they get confused and you don't have a cohesive way of cohesive way of cohesive way of communicating um it's really important communicating um it's really important communicating um it's really important to give yourself time to make sure all to give yourself time to make sure all to give yourself time to make sure all the most important stakeholders the the most important stakeholders the the most important stakeholders the leaders are on the same page and are leaders are on the same page and are leaders are on the same page and are ready and able to help to help people ready and able to help to help people ready and able to help to help people Clarity is kindness and so making sure Clarity is kindness and so making sure Clarity is kindness and so making sure that you've given yourself time for that that you've given yourself time for that that you've given yourself time for that um but also I know some people who will um but also I know some people who will um but also I know some people who will move really slowly and they'll you know move really slowly and they'll you know move really slowly and they'll you know I and this I hate this um I'm used to it I and this I hate this um I'm used to it I and this I hate this um I'm used to it because I work in this area but because I work in this area but because I work in this area but sometimes a crisis will happen and a sometimes a crisis will happen and a sometimes a crisis will happen and a person will be like well I was taking person will be like well I was taking person will be like well I was taking the day off today so just you know let the day off today so just you know let the day off today so just you know let me know tomorrow and some crises don't me know tomorrow and some crises don't me know tomorrow and some crises don't allow for that I mean you you don't you allow for that I mean you you don't you allow for that I mean you you don't you you can't I mean you they would like you can't I mean you they would like you can't I mean you they would like You' like for them to but some of them You' like for them to but some of them You' like for them to but some of them have a a a very quick response that is have a a a very quick response that is have a a a very quick response that is needed and so kind of coming to terms

needed and so kind of coming to terms needed and so kind of coming to terms with that that you need to at times just with that that you need to at times just with that that you need to at times just get right on it and I've had many days get right on it and I've had many days get right on it and I've had many days that I've wanted to be off and end up that I've wanted to be off and end up that I've wanted to be off and end up not being so yeah let me ask you a not being so yeah let me ask you a not being so yeah let me ask you a question you know if if I'm putting question you know if if I'm putting question you know if if I'm putting together a crisis communication strategy together a crisis communication strategy together a crisis communication strategy um this this thought just occurred to me um this this thought just occurred to me um this this thought just occurred to me and maybe this is worth worth diving and maybe this is worth worth diving and maybe this is worth worth diving into maybe I should probably create some into maybe I should probably create some into maybe I should probably create some categories for the types of Crisis that categories for the types of Crisis that categories for the types of Crisis that we might encounter so you know somebody we might encounter so you know somebody we might encounter so you know somebody bringing peanuts into the children's bringing peanuts into the children's bringing peanuts into the children's ministry is on a completely different ministry is on a completely different ministry is on a completely different level than someone actually abusing level than someone actually abusing level than someone actually abusing someone in the church or committing a someone in the church or committing a someone in the church or committing a crime or you know if if there's a if crime or you know if if there's a if crime or you know if if there's a if there's a victim involved there's always there's a victim involved there's always there's a victim involved there's always a very different need to respond than if a very different need to respond than if a very different need to respond than if the victim is kind of a global like we the victim is kind of a global like we the victim is kind of a global like we found out that somebody was embezzling found out that somebody was embezzling found out that somebody was embezzling money from the church okay so we're all money from the church okay so we're all money from the church okay so we're all victims but there's not like a single victims but there's not like a single victims but there's not like a single person whereas if someone was abused person whereas if someone was abused person whereas if someone was abused there is a physical victim and you know there is a physical victim and you know there is a physical victim and you know criminal charges perhaps and those types criminal charges perhaps and those types criminal charges perhaps and those types of things so how do you as a team te um of things so how do you as a team te um of things so how do you as a team te um categorize those types of response and categorize those types of response and categorize those types of response and because you said you know somebody's because you said you know somebody's because you said you know somebody's taking a day off and they're thinking taking a day off and they're thinking taking a day off and they're thinking well I'll just deal with this when I'm well I'll just deal with this when I'm well I'll just deal with this when I'm back in the office what how do we how do back in the office what how do we how do back in the office what how do we how do we know how do we rate the level of our we know how do we rate the level of our we know how do we rate the level of our our crises so that we know okay this is our crises so that we know okay this is our crises so that we know okay this is not one that you can wait until you get not one that you can wait until you get not one that you can wait until you get back to the office this is one that has back to the office this is one that has back to the office this is one that has to be done today how how do you work to be done today how how do you work to be done today how how do you work with that well and we have I mean we with that well and we have I mean we with that well and we have I mean we have we have we have we have really worked with our staff um and have really worked with our staff um and have really worked with our staff um and done a lot of training you know that the

done a lot of training you know that the done a lot of training you know that the one you're talking about where there's a one you're talking about where there's a one you're talking about where there's a victim victim victim particularly when um there is H someone particularly when um there is H someone particularly when um there is H someone who comes forward with an allegation of who comes forward with an allegation of who comes forward with an allegation of abuse you have to move very quickly and abuse you have to move very quickly and abuse you have to move very quickly and there are a lot more steps than just the there are a lot more steps than just the there are a lot more steps than just the communications piece I am one you know I communications piece I am one you know I communications piece I am one you know I I am one one voice who is just trying to I am one one voice who is just trying to I am one one voice who is just trying to help how do we let the right people know help how do we let the right people know help how do we let the right people know um and so there are trainings in that um and so there are trainings in that um and so there are trainings in that particular area and how to care well for particular area and how to care well for particular area and how to care well for um victims and survivors of abuse so uh um victims and survivors of abuse so uh um victims and survivors of abuse so uh getting your team up to speed on on that getting your team up to speed on on that getting your team up to speed on on that um and having plans in place those you um and having plans in place those you um and having plans in place those you typically have to act very quickly um typically have to act very quickly um typically have to act very quickly um other ones like you said like the peanut other ones like you said like the peanut other ones like you said like the peanut allergy no unless it happened you know allergy no unless it happened you know allergy no unless it happened you know this morning during the Women's Bible this morning during the Women's Bible this morning during the Women's Bible study they brought their kids and it study they brought their kids and it study they brought their kids and it happened this morning and so now you happened this morning and so now you happened this morning and so now you realize and you've got to you got to get realize and you've got to you got to get realize and you've got to you got to get that word out because there's a certain that word out because there's a certain that word out because there's a certain window of time you know or whatever um window of time you know or whatever um window of time you know or whatever um th that's something you would act th that's something you would act th that's something you would act quickly on not because it's as egregious quickly on not because it's as egregious quickly on not because it's as egregious but because it's time but because it's time but because it's time sensitive um but you you definitely want sensitive um but you you definitely want sensitive um but you you definitely want to recognize there are some that raised to recognize there are some that raised to recognize there are some that raised to a level where you're bringing in more to a level where you're bringing in more to a level where you're bringing in more than just your Communications folks we than just your Communications folks we than just your Communications folks we have people who uh in our counseling have people who uh in our counseling have people who uh in our counseling Ministry and other places who are Ministry and other places who are Ministry and other places who are specifically trained to speak in with specifically trained to speak in with specifically trained to speak in with expertise uh in some of these other expertise uh in some of these other expertise uh in some of these other areas um we you know one one of the areas um we you know one one of the areas um we you know one one of the first major crises I ever dealt with um first major crises I ever dealt with um first major crises I ever dealt with um which was when I was um I was at a

which was when I was um I was at a which was when I was um I was at a seminary seminary seminary and we actually had a um a member of the and we actually had a um a member of the and we actually had a um a member of the seminary community who um who died in a seminary community who um who died in a seminary community who um who died in a very tragic accident uh but also uh she very tragic accident uh but also uh she very tragic accident uh but also uh she had also been part of kind of the had also been part of kind of the had also been part of kind of the broader community and so because of that broader community and so because of that broader community and so because of that and because of sort of the nature of the and because of sort of the nature of the and because of sort of the nature of the accident uh it got a ton of news media accident uh it got a ton of news media accident uh it got a ton of news media so we all of a sudden had news media so we all of a sudden had news media so we all of a sudden had news media showing up uh onto the property trying showing up uh onto the property trying showing up uh onto the property trying to get shot driving around where the the to get shot driving around where the the to get shot driving around where the the family lived that's something where you family lived that's something where you family lived that's something where you just everybody has to get it in gear just everybody has to get it in gear just everybody has to get it in gear immediately we've got to go and get this immediately we've got to go and get this immediately we've got to go and get this all um kind of rained in we need to all um kind of rained in we need to all um kind of rained in we need to figure out who's going to be figure out who's going to be figure out who's going to be communicating with the media how do we communicating with the media how do we communicating with the media how do we protect this family so sometimes it is protect this family so sometimes it is protect this family so sometimes it is you know it when you see it um that and you know it when you see it um that and you know it when you see it um that and and you need to I would say acting and you need to I would say acting and you need to I would say acting quickly is it needs to be your default quickly is it needs to be your default quickly is it needs to be your default as opposed to not you can get into it as opposed to not you can get into it as opposed to not you can get into it and realize okay we can take this a and realize okay we can take this a and realize okay we can take this a little bit slower sure let let's use little bit slower sure let let's use little bit slower sure let let's use that point as a as a a shift in the that point as a as a a shift in the that point as a as a a shift in the conversation and let's talk a little bit conversation and let's talk a little bit conversation and let's talk a little bit about the media we've talked a lot about about the media we've talked a lot about about the media we've talked a lot about communication inside the church family communication inside the church family communication inside the church family inside the church body but let's let's inside the church body but let's let's inside the church body but let's let's shift that that Focus to dealing with shift that that Focus to dealing with shift that that Focus to dealing with the media and the rest of the community the media and the rest of the community the media and the rest of the community um in the situation that you mentioned um in the situation that you mentioned um in the situation that you mentioned you know the the person who who uh you know the the person who who uh you know the the person who who uh passed away was an active member of the passed away was an active member of the passed away was an active member of the community the reality is and we know community the reality is and we know community the reality is and we know this to be true that when there is

this to be true that when there is this to be true that when there is incident in the church the more incident in the church the more incident in the church the more Sensational it is the more interest Sensational it is the more interest Sensational it is the more interest there is from the local media and the there is from the local media and the there is from the local media and the community at large what are sort of your community at large what are sort of your community at large what are sort of your policies and procedures with how you policies and procedures with how you policies and procedures with how you deal with news outlets and other media deal with news outlets and other media deal with news outlets and other media Outlets that might want information from Outlets that might want information from Outlets that might want information from the church how do they fit into the the church how do they fit into the the church how do they fit into the grand scheme of your communication grand scheme of your communication grand scheme of your communication strategy so first of all um I always strategy so first of all um I always strategy so first of all um I always remember in kind of the bigger media remember in kind of the bigger media remember in kind of the bigger media policy uh the more relationships you can policy uh the more relationships you can policy uh the more relationships you can build with members of the media when build with members of the media when build with members of the media when when there's not a crisis the better when there's not a crisis the better when there's not a crisis the better situation you're in when there is a situation you're in when there is a situation you're in when there is a crisis so if you have opportunity if crisis so if you have opportunity if crisis so if you have opportunity if you're in a smaller area and you can you're in a smaller area and you can you're in a smaller area and you can just initiate connections with local just initiate connections with local just initiate connections with local media that's great um for me uh in our media that's great um for me uh in our media that's great um for me uh in our area we will often have media that'll area we will often have media that'll area we will often have media that'll just reach out and ask us about Outreach just reach out and ask us about Outreach just reach out and ask us about Outreach events or things like that I take as events or things like that I take as events or things like that I take as many media calls as I possibly can many media calls as I possibly can many media calls as I possibly can because that helps me build a connection because that helps me build a connection because that helps me build a connection it helps them know who to call um it it helps them know who to call um it it helps them know who to call um it helps them to know that I'm going to helps them to know that I'm going to helps them to know that I'm going to cooperate with them as much as possible cooperate with them as much as possible cooperate with them as much as possible and then um and then I think it's really and then um and then I think it's really and then um and then I think it's really important and this is something that I important and this is something that I important and this is something that I particularly if you don't come out of a particularly if you don't come out of a particularly if you don't come out of a Communications background a lot of times Communications background a lot of times Communications background a lot of times pastors uh don't know this or other pastors uh don't know this or other pastors uh don't know this or other staff members but just realizing the staff members but just realizing the staff members but just realizing the categories that you can use when you categories that you can use when you categories that you can use when you talk to the media on the record off the talk to the media on the record off the talk to the media on the record off the Record uh background information and so Record uh background information and so Record uh background information and so you can have a conversation with a media you can have a conversation with a media you can have a conversation with a media person to say um off the record I can I

person to say um off the record I can I person to say um off the record I can I I I need to let you know that the family I I need to let you know that the family I I need to let you know that the family is not available for you to talk to uh is not available for you to talk to uh is not available for you to talk to uh for for this reason and so we C I can't for for this reason and so we C I can't for for this reason and so we C I can't make them available but I will send you make them available but I will send you make them available but I will send you a statement within the next hour and a statement within the next hour and a statement within the next hour and that's what will be on the record so that's what will be on the record so that's what will be on the record so building in those kind instead of kind building in those kind instead of kind building in those kind instead of kind instead of panicking or if it's or if instead of panicking or if it's or if instead of panicking or if it's or if there's something that has happened uh there's something that has happened uh there's something that has happened uh that is like you said a crime I have that is like you said a crime I have that is like you said a crime I have relationships with members of the media relationships with members of the media relationships with members of the media I've been able to say hey off the record I've been able to say hey off the record I've been able to say hey off the record I'm not going to be able to to tell you I'm not going to be able to to tell you I'm not going to be able to to tell you anything um about this we're dealing anything um about this we're dealing anything um about this we're dealing with it right now I'll send you with it right now I'll send you with it right now I'll send you something in 30 minutes uh and then just something in 30 minutes uh and then just something in 30 minutes uh and then just just understanding you don't have to do just understanding you don't have to do just understanding you don't have to do onair interviews you can send written onair interviews you can send written onair interviews you can send written statements you can there's all kinds of statements you can there's all kinds of statements you can there's all kinds of things that you can do the worst thing things that you can do the worst thing things that you can do the worst thing you can do is say no you can do is say no you can do is say no comment that's the that that's the the comment that's the that that's the the comment that's the that that's the the the I mean I the I mean I the I mean I would I would I would say don't would I would I would say don't would I would I would say don't respond before you actually say no respond before you actually say no respond before you actually say no comment no comment comment no comment comment no comment communicates way more than you want it communicates way more than you want it communicates way more than you want it to and so if you're not able to answer to and so if you're not able to answer to and so if you're not able to answer then you just leave it and then they can then you just leave it and then they can then you just leave it and then they can say we tried to reach out but we didn't say we tried to reach out but we didn't say we tried to reach out but we didn't hear anything back um that's better than hear anything back um that's better than hear anything back um that's better than they told us that you know they they they told us that you know they they they told us that you know they they told us no comment uh so just building told us no comment uh so just building told us no comment uh so just building that and then also recognizing they're that and then also recognizing they're that and then also recognizing they're going to tell the going to tell the going to tell the story you have an opportunity to be part story you have an opportunity to be part story you have an opportunity to be part of that to actually dictate what is said of that to actually dictate what is said of that to actually dictate what is said about you if you don't they're going to about you if you don't they're going to about you if you don't they're going to fill in those gaps again so as much as

fill in those gaps again so as much as fill in those gaps again so as much as you can say go ahead and do that um but you can say go ahead and do that um but you can say go ahead and do that um but I don't ever do I don't like you know I don't ever do I don't like you know I don't ever do I don't like you know especially in a crisis we do as few especially in a crisis we do as few especially in a crisis we do as few off-the-cuff interviews as possible we off-the-cuff interviews as possible we off-the-cuff interviews as possible we don't have you know swarms of people don't have you know swarms of people don't have you know swarms of people coming on and and just you know talking coming on and and just you know talking coming on and and just you know talking to anyone we try to be prepared we want to anyone we try to be prepared we want to anyone we try to be prepared we want to have the command of of um of of what to have the command of of um of of what to have the command of of um of of what we need to let the the public know at we need to let the the public know at we need to let the the public know at what point Amy uh would you say that uh what point Amy uh would you say that uh what point Amy uh would you say that uh before responding to requests for before responding to requests for before responding to requests for interviews or statements or information interviews or statements or information interviews or statements or information at what point is it important to consult at what point is it important to consult at what point is it important to consult legal counsel um are there times and legal counsel um are there times and legal counsel um are there times and places where it's like hey before we places where it's like hey before we places where it's like hey before we even address the media if there even address the media if there even address the media if there especially if there's a criminal charge especially if there's a criminal charge especially if there's a criminal charge or something that that could be or something that that could be or something that that could be perceived as criminal you know what perceived as criminal you know what perceived as criminal you know what what's your advice there absolutely and what's your advice there absolutely and what's your advice there absolutely and um uh particularly in a a scenario like um uh particularly in a a scenario like um uh particularly in a a scenario like that you would want to run run something that you would want to run run something that you would want to run run something by a by a by a your legal counsel um and and you need your legal counsel um and and you need your legal counsel um and and you need to be following all the things to be following all the things to be following all the things especially if there's a crime that especially if there's a crime that especially if there's a crime that you're reporting you're doing all of you're reporting you're doing all of you're reporting you're doing all of these things but you want to run that by these things but you want to run that by these things but you want to run that by them before it's released this is with them before it's released this is with them before it's released this is with written statements that doesn't preclude written statements that doesn't preclude written statements that doesn't preclude you from responding to the media person you from responding to the media person you from responding to the media person and saying hey we don't have anything and saying hey we don't have anything and saying hey we don't have anything for you yet but I will what's your for you yet but I will what's your for you yet but I will what's your deadline and what are there particular deadline and what are there particular deadline and what are there particular questions that you're asking I'll try to questions that you're asking I'll try to questions that you're asking I'll try to find out and I'll let you know um that find out and I'll let you know um that find out and I'll let you know um that will do a ton for you and then yes you

will do a ton for you and then yes you will do a ton for you and then yes you would want to involve a legal counsel or would want to involve a legal counsel or would want to involve a legal counsel or other counsel that you need on what goes other counsel that you need on what goes other counsel that you need on what goes out uh eventually so I think it's you out uh eventually so I think it's you out uh eventually so I think it's you know what you want to think through is know what you want to think through is know what you want to think through is how to maintain the the open lines of how to maintain the the open lines of how to maintain the the open lines of communication while you do the work that communication while you do the work that communication while you do the work that you need to do to be precise okay um so you need to do to be precise okay um so you need to do to be precise okay um so you you've already hit on a few mistakes you you've already hit on a few mistakes you you've already hit on a few mistakes that you see churches make from time to that you see churches make from time to that you see churches make from time to time either responding too quickly time either responding too quickly time either responding too quickly saying too much not responding quickly saying too much not responding quickly saying too much not responding quickly enough not saying enough what are some enough not saying enough what are some enough not saying enough what are some other uh pitfalls that you see churches other uh pitfalls that you see churches other uh pitfalls that you see churches fall into when it comes to their crisis fall into when it comes to their crisis fall into when it comes to their crisis communication what mistakes do you see communication what mistakes do you see communication what mistakes do you see them make what what are things that if them make what what are things that if them make what what are things that if you if you you have the ear of many many you if you you have the ear of many many you if you you have the ear of many many Communications directors right now what Communications directors right now what Communications directors right now what are the please don't do this or please are the please don't do this or please are the please don't do this or please do this type of things that you would do this type of things that you would do this type of things that you would counsel them on yeah so I will say and counsel them on yeah so I will say and counsel them on yeah so I will say and especially in this day and age um especially in this day and age um especially in this day and age um transparency is a high commodity right transparency is a high commodity right transparency is a high commodity right now and so it becomes really important now and so it becomes really important now and so it becomes really important to ask the question uh what is the most to ask the question uh what is the most to ask the question uh what is the most amount of information that we can give amount of information that we can give amount of information that we can give and to try to do that um it it actually and to try to do that um it it actually and to try to do that um it it actually helps people the more that they can know helps people the more that they can know helps people the more that they can know now you're going to have certain legal now you're going to have certain legal now you're going to have certain legal constraints you're going to have certain constraints you're going to have certain constraints you're going to have certain privacy issues uh that you have to uh to privacy issues uh that you have to uh to privacy issues uh that you have to uh to to be protective of you may have a to be protective of you may have a to be protective of you may have a situation that involves personnel and situation that involves personnel and situation that involves personnel and there are certain things that you are there are certain things that you are there are certain things that you are not able able to divulge that's fine you not able able to divulge that's fine you not able able to divulge that's fine you need to ask the question how much can we

need to ask the question how much can we need to ask the question how much can we explain um and you need to bring you explain um and you need to bring you explain um and you need to bring you know multiple eyes into in into that uh know multiple eyes into in into that uh know multiple eyes into in into that uh to you know here we have um we have a a to you know here we have um we have a a to you know here we have um we have a a a Human Resources Director as I said a a Human Resources Director as I said a a Human Resources Director as I said a lot of times our counseling um director lot of times our counseling um director lot of times our counseling um director our counseling Pastor will be involved our counseling Pastor will be involved our counseling Pastor will be involved in in things that we put out you might in in things that we put out you might in in things that we put out you might need to consult uh with legal counsel need to consult uh with legal counsel need to consult uh with legal counsel before you publish something that's fine before you publish something that's fine before you publish something that's fine but always do it with an eye toward um but always do it with an eye toward um but always do it with an eye toward um saying as much as you possibly can saying as much as you possibly can saying as much as you possibly can because more information just helps and because more information just helps and because more information just helps and serves your people uh so I think a huge serves your people uh so I think a huge serves your people uh so I think a huge mistake is often when people will just mistake is often when people will just mistake is often when people will just want to kind of be closed be closed off want to kind of be closed be closed off want to kind of be closed be closed off um and then for the information you um and then for the information you um and then for the information you can't share be able to explain why to can't share be able to explain why to can't share be able to explain why to say um I wish that I could tell you more say um I wish that I could tell you more say um I wish that I could tell you more if you have specific questions you can if you have specific questions you can if you have specific questions you can come and ask we would be happy to have a come and ask we would be happy to have a come and ask we would be happy to have a conversation and and you know maybe hear conversation and and you know maybe hear conversation and and you know maybe hear what your biggest concerns are I wish we what your biggest concerns are I wish we what your biggest concerns are I wish we could say more but this is all that could say more but this is all that could say more but this is all that we're able to share publicly for we're able to share publicly for we're able to share publicly for whatever reason you know that that it whatever reason you know that that it whatever reason you know that that it may be so trying to sort of anticipate may be so trying to sort of anticipate may be so trying to sort of anticipate the questions that people might have um the questions that people might have um the questions that people might have um and then to tell as as much as you as and then to tell as as much as you as and then to tell as as much as you as much as you possibly can um that's much as you possibly can um that's much as you possibly can um that's that's a huge one and then the other one that's a huge one and then the other one that's a huge one and then the other one which I touched on this a little bit which I touched on this a little bit which I touched on this a little bit earlier is if you don't have all the earlier is if you don't have all the earlier is if you don't have all the people on the same page and so that so people on the same page and so that so people on the same page and so that so you have different levels of you have different levels of you have different levels of communication happening depending on who communication happening depending on who communication happening depending on who the leader is that's one of the biggest the leader is that's one of the biggest the leader is that's one of the biggest pitfalls because what begins to happen pitfalls because what begins to happen pitfalls because what begins to happen is people start comparing stories they

is people start comparing stories they is people start comparing stories they get confused um you've got something get confused um you've got something get confused um you've got something that has kind of gotten out of control that has kind of gotten out of control that has kind of gotten out of control and then you're not able to serve serve and then you're not able to serve serve and then you're not able to serve serve people well at all um I would also say people well at all um I would also say people well at all um I would also say be willing to you know go to Great be willing to you know go to Great be willing to you know go to Great Lengths as as we said if there's an Lengths as as we said if there's an Lengths as as we said if there's an incident so for example when you talk incident so for example when you talk incident so for example when you talk about if there's something that involves about if there's something that involves about if there's something that involves a victim um you obviously your first a victim um you obviously your first a victim um you obviously your first responsibility is to contact the responsibility is to contact the responsibility is to contact the authorities to do everything to care for authorities to do everything to care for authorities to do everything to care for that victim now you start moving out um that victim now you start moving out um that victim now you start moving out um if there was an incident that happened if there was an incident that happened if there was an incident that happened and you need to let uh the other and you need to let uh the other and you need to let uh the other families know or you need to put families know or you need to put families know or you need to put something out in case maybe other something out in case maybe other something out in case maybe other victims might need to come victims might need to come victims might need to come forward go ahead go to the nth degree forward go ahead go to the nth degree forward go ahead go to the nth degree get as much out as you possibly can make get as much out as you possibly can make get as much out as you possibly can make as many phone calls as you possibly can as many phone calls as you possibly can as many phone calls as you possibly can um go go the extra mile it it is it it um go go the extra mile it it is it it um go go the extra mile it it is it it is the right thing to do um and it will is the right thing to do um and it will is the right thing to do um and it will and it will pay off it is an investment and it will pay off it is an investment and it will pay off it is an investment in building that trust and also in in building that trust and also in in building that trust and also in helping you know you what you see as a helping you know you what you see as a helping you know you what you see as a small crisis may be bigger you need to small crisis may be bigger you need to small crisis may be bigger you need to be the one that finds that out as be the one that finds that out as be the one that finds that out as opposed to uh letting you know letting opposed to uh letting you know letting opposed to uh letting you know letting it just sort of come to you um but it just sort of come to you um but it just sort of come to you um but obviously as we said in certain things obviously as we said in certain things obviously as we said in certain things if if you need to involve the if if you need to involve the if if you need to involve the authorities that that's you know kind of authorities that that's you know kind of authorities that that's you know kind of your number one thing and then you begin your number one thing and then you begin your number one thing and then you begin to walk within um the other thing I to walk within um the other thing I to walk within um the other thing I would say is keep an keep an eye on all

would say is keep an keep an eye on all would say is keep an keep an eye on all the people that need to be on sort of the people that need to be on sort of the people that need to be on sort of your team for this so that may include your team for this so that may include your team for this so that may include your head of security that may include your head of security that may include your head of security that may include your facilities director you know other your facilities director you know other your facilities director you know other people a lot of times you can kind of people a lot of times you can kind of people a lot of times you can kind of forget and keep the room small but there forget and keep the room small but there forget and keep the room small but there are folks who bring particular Insight are folks who bring particular Insight are folks who bring particular Insight um into that uh into that meeting or um into that uh into that meeting or um into that uh into that meeting or that dis that discussion and so keep a that dis that discussion and so keep a that dis that discussion and so keep a keep an eye on who all needs to be here keep an eye on who all needs to be here keep an eye on who all needs to be here the stakeholders are going to be the stakeholders are going to be the stakeholders are going to be different for every crisis so don't just different for every crisis so don't just different for every crisis so don't just keep it you know the same bring the keep it you know the same bring the keep it you know the same bring the people who who can help the most okay people who who can help the most okay people who who can help the most okay this has been really a I think a very this has been really a I think a very this has been really a I think a very useful very helpful conversation um we useful very helpful conversation um we useful very helpful conversation um we do need to kind of wrap things up here do need to kind of wrap things up here do need to kind of wrap things up here but I just want to have a couple of but I just want to have a couple of but I just want to have a couple of questions to to close things out um one questions to to close things out um one questions to to close things out um one is this is this is this um your your experience currently in um your your experience currently in um your your experience currently in your current Church is it's a large your current Church is it's a large your current Church is it's a large church and you're mentioning people like church and you're mentioning people like church and you're mentioning people like head of security and HR and all these head of security and HR and all these head of security and HR and all these other people um you know you know from other people um you know you know from other people um you know you know from your experience in the SBC that the your experience in the SBC that the your experience in the SBC that the average church out there is probably average church out there is probably average church out there is probably like a pastor maybe a part-time youth like a pastor maybe a part-time youth like a pastor maybe a part-time youth pastor part-time worship Pastor pastor part-time worship Pastor pastor part-time worship Pastor part-time Administrative Assistant part-time Administrative Assistant part-time Administrative Assistant secretary you know if if I'm a smaller secretary you know if if I'm a smaller secretary you know if if I'm a smaller Church uh and I don't have all of these Church uh and I don't have all of these Church uh and I don't have all of these staff and all of these resources what staff and all of these resources what staff and all of these resources what are the best places for me to start in are the best places for me to start in are the best places for me to start in terms of crafting my crisis terms of crafting my crisis terms of crafting my crisis communication strategy yeah so first communication strategy yeah so first communication strategy yeah so first first of all I mean there are actually first of all I mean there are actually first of all I mean there are actually some great resources out there that you some great resources out there that you some great resources out there that you can look at on I mean you can even just can look at on I mean you can even just can look at on I mean you can even just start with uh searching articles on

start with uh searching articles on start with uh searching articles on Communications uh you know crisis Communications uh you know crisis Communications uh you know crisis Communications there are some that are Communications there are some that are Communications there are some that are developed for sort of the business world developed for sort of the business world developed for sort of the business world or for nonprofit world that actually or for nonprofit world that actually or for nonprofit world that actually give you some great principles for give you some great principles for give you some great principles for churches so you can do some looking on churches so you can do some looking on churches so you can do some looking on your own also knowing um you know your own also knowing um you know your own also knowing um you know depending on if you're part of a depending on if you're part of a depending on if you're part of a denomination you may have a a local denomination you may have a a local denomination you may have a a local Association or a state Association or a state Association or a state or Regional headquarters that you can or Regional headquarters that you can or Regional headquarters that you can reach out to for help there typically reach out to for help there typically reach out to for help there typically are people who are skilled and ready to are people who are skilled and ready to are people who are skilled and ready to help and walk alongside you uh in that help and walk alongside you uh in that help and walk alongside you uh in that or possibly other churches um I I help or possibly other churches um I I help or possibly other churches um I I help even now I will consult and help other even now I will consult and help other even now I will consult and help other churches as they walk through things churches as they walk through things churches as they walk through things because maybe they are they are smaller because maybe they are they are smaller because maybe they are they are smaller there's an incredible Network there's an incredible Network there's an incredible Network particularly in the communications area particularly in the communications area particularly in the communications area so I would really encourage that if you so I would really encourage that if you so I would really encourage that if you are trying to develop this or if you get are trying to develop this or if you get are trying to develop this or if you get hit with a crisis don't hesitate to to hit with a crisis don't hesitate to to hit with a crisis don't hesitate to to reach out I mean when I do that and help reach out I mean when I do that and help reach out I mean when I do that and help people I have a you know a people I have a you know a people I have a you know a confidentiality that that I will I will confidentiality that that I will I will confidentiality that that I will I will do and say I'm just here to help you do and say I'm just here to help you do and say I'm just here to help you think through what to do um so there are think through what to do um so there are think through what to do um so there are resources out there that that you can resources out there that that you can resources out there that that you can you can go to okay well that actually you can go to okay well that actually you can go to okay well that actually answered sort of my second question answered sort of my second question answered sort of my second question which was you know asking if are there which was you know asking if are there which was you know asking if are there are there any specific resources or any are there any specific resources or any are there any specific resources or any tools that you've sort of leaned into tools that you've sort of leaned into tools that you've sort of leaned into that you found to be especially helpful that you found to be especially helpful that you found to be especially helpful any specific voices any people that any specific voices any people that any specific voices any people that speak into this um outside of you and speak into this um outside of you and speak into this um outside of you and your expertise that that you have sort your expertise that that you have sort your expertise that that you have sort of learned from yeah so I'm going to be

of learned from yeah so I'm going to be of learned from yeah so I'm going to be honest and tell you a lot of what I honest and tell you a lot of what I honest and tell you a lot of what I learned um I had to learn by doing and learned um I had to learn by doing and learned um I had to learn by doing and that that's one reason I love to talk that that's one reason I love to talk that that's one reason I love to talk about it because I don't want other about it because I don't want other about it because I don't want other people to have to to to learn that um so people to have to to to learn that um so people to have to to to learn that um so pretty much my only resources have been pretty much my only resources have been pretty much my only resources have been through like Communications textbooks through like Communications textbooks through like Communications textbooks and and things like that and then and and things like that and then and and things like that and then learning as I wi with other with other learning as I wi with other with other learning as I wi with other with other people um we there is not a great uh people um we there is not a great uh people um we there is not a great uh resource out there for for resource out there for for resource out there for for communications crisis or for crisis communications crisis or for crisis communications crisis or for crisis management for churches um but actually management for churches um but actually management for churches um but actually I am uh at the beginning of of trying to I am uh at the beginning of of trying to I am uh at the beginning of of trying to work on a project like that so we work on a project like that so we work on a project like that so we actually hope that some more of those actually hope that some more of those actually hope that some more of those are coming uh and podcasts like this are coming uh and podcasts like this are coming uh and podcasts like this starting the conversation to say starting the conversation to say starting the conversation to say churches need to start getting serious churches need to start getting serious churches need to start getting serious about this um so I I don't have a lot of about this um so I I don't have a lot of about this um so I I don't have a lot of great ones because we need to start great ones because we need to start great ones because we need to start building that body of work yeah I building that body of work yeah I building that body of work yeah I appreciate that and so if any of you are appreciate that and so if any of you are appreciate that and so if any of you are listening to this and you have an eager listening to this and you have an eager listening to this and you have an eager uh spirit to contribute to something uh spirit to contribute to something uh spirit to contribute to something like this it's a it's a good time to be like this it's a it's a good time to be like this it's a it's a good time to be thinking about it because I think I thinking about it because I think I thinking about it because I think I think you're right there are far too think you're right there are far too think you're right there are far too many resources on how to post awesome many resources on how to post awesome many resources on how to post awesome social media content and not enough social media content and not enough social media content and not enough resources on how to deal with real life resources on how to deal with real life resources on how to deal with real life issues that happen in the context of the issues that happen in the context of the issues that happen in the context of the local church and you know our I'm I local church and you know our I'm I local church and you know our I'm I don't mean to bash social media it's the don't mean to bash social media it's the don't mean to bash social media it's the highlight real but it's not always highlight real but it's not always highlight real but it's not always what's real right and the real stuff is what's real right and the real stuff is what's real right and the real stuff is the stuff that we need to be prepared uh the stuff that we need to be prepared uh the stuff that we need to be prepared uh to respond to and communicate through to respond to and communicate through to respond to and communicate through because it's it's that real stuff in because it's it's that real stuff in because it's it's that real stuff in which people's um picture of the church

which people's um picture of the church which people's um picture of the church uh is really shaped it's really formed uh is really shaped it's really formed uh is really shaped it's really formed you know people can look at us on social you know people can look at us on social you know people can look at us on social media they can look at our YouTube media they can look at our YouTube media they can look at our YouTube channel and they can think they know channel and they can think they know channel and they can think they know what the church is all about but it's what the church is all about but it's what the church is all about but it's when we Face a crisis or a situation and when we Face a crisis or a situation and when we Face a crisis or a situation and how we handle that crisis on that that how we handle that crisis on that that how we handle that crisis on that that negative situation that really reveals negative situation that really reveals negative situation that really reveals who we are how united we are as a who we are how united we are as a who we are how united we are as a spiritual family as a leadership team spiritual family as a leadership team spiritual family as a leadership team and and all the other stuff that are is and and all the other stuff that are is and and all the other stuff that are is really measurable and defining of who we really measurable and defining of who we really measurable and defining of who we are as followers of Jesus so um very are as followers of Jesus so um very are as followers of Jesus so um very cool uh Amy thanks again uh for hanging cool uh Amy thanks again uh for hanging cool uh Amy thanks again uh for hanging out with me today if folks have follow out with me today if folks have follow out with me today if folks have follow up questions for you they want to get up questions for you they want to get up questions for you they want to get some more information maybe something some more information maybe something some more information maybe something that you mentioned uh sparked another that you mentioned uh sparked another that you mentioned uh sparked another question that they have that we didn't question that they have that we didn't question that they have that we didn't actually answer how can they get a hold actually answer how can they get a hold actually answer how can they get a hold of you yeah um my email address is a of you yeah um my email address is a of you yeah um my email address is a Whitfield a Whi TFI L dummit church.com Whitfield a Whi TFI L dummit church.com Whitfield a Whi TFI L dummit church.com and I would love to hear from anyone so and I would love to hear from anyone so and I would love to hear from anyone so okay and is that the leaf blower guy in okay and is that the leaf blower guy in okay and is that the leaf blower guy in the background again did I just hear the the background again did I just hear the the background again did I just hear the Le just came back yeah before we started Le just came back yeah before we started Le just came back yeah before we started recording we delayed for about 10 recording we delayed for about 10 recording we delayed for about 10 minutes because the the Le blowing man minutes because the the Le blowing man minutes because the the Le blowing man was low he is now back so perfect time was low he is now back so perfect time was low he is now back so perfect time for us to wrap this up Amy thanks again for us to wrap this up Amy thanks again for us to wrap this up Amy thanks again for hanging out with me today if you uh for hanging out with me today if you uh for hanging out with me today if you uh have found this content to be helpful have found this content to be helpful have found this content to be helpful for you we'd love for you to leave a for you we'd love for you to leave a for you we'd love for you to leave a rating or review wherever you're rating or review wherever you're rating or review wherever you're listening or if you're watching on our listening or if you're watching on our listening or if you're watching on our YouTube channel leave us a comment YouTube channel leave us a comment YouTube channel leave us a comment um and if you haven't ever subscribed um and if you haven't ever subscribed um and if you haven't ever subscribed wherever you're listening make sure that wherever you're listening make sure that wherever you're listening make sure that you do that so that you don't miss any you do that so that you don't miss any you do that so that you don't miss any future episodes Amy thanks again for future episodes Amy thanks again for future episodes Amy thanks again for hanging out with me today uh have a hanging out with me today uh have a hanging out with me today uh have a great end of your year all right