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But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so
that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern
for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every
part rejoices with it. (I Corinthians 12:24-26)
As Christians, and as a church, you are part of one body with different gifts and roles. This
metaphor also identifies the strength of collaboration. As the passage says, the “parts should
have equal concern for each other.” We know we need each other. A crisis is a time both to
help and be helped.
Action: Work with Other Churches
Working with other churches allows you to make connections locally, regionally, and even
perhaps nationally or globally. These connections allow you to share knowledge and resources
and to learn from others. Talk with other pastors from churches in your area to discuss the
possibility of working together. Consider the following topics:
• Discuss how COVID-19 could affect your community.
• Explore ways you might collaborate with other churches. This could
include national, regional, and local denominational bodies to which
you’re connected.
• Identify the special resources that each house of worship possesses
(and potential gaps in knowledge, skills, resources, and capacity).
Discuss ways to share, and avoid duplicating, your efforts.
• Create a simple plan for coordinating and sharing resources and for
filling potential gaps.
• Consider partnering with public health, emergency response,
government, or nonprofit groups; many groups around the U.S. are
offering virtual planning meetings.
• Describe the role of each participating group based on its unique
resources.
• Arrange a mutual-support agreement with churches located in a different area so support is
available in the event your church is significantly impacted by COVID-19.
• Identify the contact person for each church, plus a backup person, in case the main contact is
unavailable. Include multiple ways to contact this person.
• Include a schedule for updating information such as contacts, organizational needs, and
resource availability.
• Assign a coordinator for the plan, someone who will ensure the plan is current and follow and
update the schedule.
• Work together to modify the plan and address any challenges or problems.
STEP 5: Strengthen Preparedness Through Collaborations
WHY YOU SHOULD
COLLABORATE WITH
OTHER CHURCHES
AND PUBLIC HEALTH
AGENCIES
Working with other churches
and public health agencies can
greatly improve your ability
to respond in a public health
crisis. It allows churches to
focus on things they do well
while being supported by other
churches in aspects they find
more difficult.