Sometimes we must make on-the-fly decisions, and we find ourselves or our volunteers in situations we aren’t sure how to navigate. But one thing is for sure — disruptions are going to happen. No matter how long we spend planning our worship, we simply can’t plan for everything because people are unpredictable. Still, we can predict that there will be disruptions, and in that sense, there are some strategic things you can do to be prepared to respond.
- 4 MIN READ
- Key Takeaways
- Why team preparation before a disruption determines your response in the moment
- How a see-something-say-something culture protects guests and your congregation
- The simple habit of getting curious that turns a crisis into a moment of connection
Emergency Situations
Security and safety-related distractions are those you hopefully think through and prepare for ahead of time. What are your fire, storm, or weather-related plans? Have you physically walked your volunteers and even your congregation through those plans? Does everyone on your team feel deputized to call 9-1-1 if they observe something that needs attention from first responders? Do your volunteers know the exact address to give the dispatcher? Are they trained to manage people-flow in the event of an emergency? Do they know how to block off an exit and re-route your guests in a calm manner?
Concerning Behavior
Suspicious or distracting behaviors don’t always require calling 9-1-1, and times when they don’t may be even more challenging to navigate. Some worship guests might not notice these types of distractions, but when you or your team do, I hope you have a see-something-say-something culture. Maybe it’s a mental health issue, or it could be some unusual behavior from a neurodivergent individual, or it might just be a distraught person in need of counsel. In these situations, I encourage you to get curious. Take the time to sit with the person or invite them into a quieter location to chat. Find out what brought them to church, what they find meaningful about it, and if there are any ways you can be supportive. Is there a section or area of your worship space you might invite them to that would better meet their needs? In many cases, just the act of making a human connection — the person feeling heard and valued — will de-escalate whatever is going on, at least to some degree.
A Prepared Team Is a Confident Team
None of us can script every Sunday. But we can build the kind of team culture and practical readiness that keeps a disruption from becoming a crisis — for the people involved and for the rest of your congregation watching how you respond.
Think about your current volunteers. Do they know what to do, or are they hoping someone else will handle it? A brief training conversation, a simple reference sheet, or even a walkthrough of your space together can make all the difference. When people feel prepared, they act with calm and compassion instead of panic or paralysis.
The goal isn’t a perfect, undisturbed worship service. It’s a congregation that knows how to respond with grace when things go sideways — because they will. And when your team handles it well, those moments can actually become some of the most powerful witnesses to who your church is and what you truly value.
So take some time before the next Sunday to ask: Are we ready? Not just for the logistics, but for the people? That’s where preparation really matters.
Written By:
Ginny Howell
Resurrection Worship Experience Lead Director
Bio
Ginny provides leadership to our Worship Experience teams across all of Resurrection’s locations. She has a passion for welcoming and connecting people into the life of the church and works to ensure that our members and guests have an excellent worship experience. She’s mom to three young women and g-momma to one sweet grandson, enjoys biking and hiking and loves hanging out with Lola, her rescued pit bull.
