Crisis Communications for Church Leaders

Crisis Communications for Church Leaders Luncheon

People of faith are under attack from news outlets and social media, and churches are the current target. Jesus warned us of persecution but part of spreading the gospel is knowing how to respond to bad faith characterization of biblical teachings.

Sometimes these attacks come after missteps or poor judgments of church leaders. In other campaigns against churches, someone who was uncomfortable with Bible-based teaching went public with their grievance.

There are many examples of churches in crisis with reporters and social media critics leading the charge.

Even the words we are comfortable using are being twisted for use against the faith. Evangelism is called “recruitment.” Praying is called “thought control.”

The outside world has a different take on some basic principles of Christianity. Your church’s time under the unforgiving scrutiny of ratings-driven news media may come when you least expect it. Whether it’s a crime committed in your church, an allegation of discrimination by a staff member, or a congregant starting an online petition to change your values, every church leader needs to have a ready defense for the situation.

In partnership with Press Church and Delaware County Sheriff Russ Martin (who’s active in a national group providing Christian based support and counseling for law enforcement), Communications Counsel is hosting a free one-hour luncheon in Powell, to get equipped on what to say and do when the media comes knocking.

The training will be led by Mark Weaver, an attorney and national advisor on crisis communications with nearly three decades of national and Ohio-based experience. Active in his church and as a Young Life volunteer committee member, he and his staff will offer the basic tips and best practices for a church to prepare for a reputational crisis.