CRISIS MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS

William L. Byrd, The Troas Group

St. Paul's Chapel, New York City, is Manhattan's oldest public building in continuous use. It is also an American faith icon. It is where George Washington worshiped and it is where fire fighters, police, and search teams rested during rescue and recovery efforts after 9/11.
St. Paul's was content to rest in the shadows created by the towering structures of modern engineering surrounding it; towers of glass and steel that some thought would last for many generations to come. On September 11, 2001, those towers came down though.

As hours moved into days, the church stayed open. They became a resting spot for the rescuers providing meals, refreshments and a safe place to sleep. In the following weeks, the nation began sending cards and banners to show their support. These went to St. Paul's where they were posted around the sanctuary for the workers to appreciate.

Thousands of lives were lost, families were destroyed and America was changed forever. When the dust settled, St. Paul's was still standing.As fireman, police and other first responders tried to gather themselves and began looking for their fallen comrades, they seemed to migrate to the one place where physical safety and emotional healing would be.

For months after 9/11, workers provided round-the-clock meals, beds, and religious counseling for those involved in the efforts at ground zero.

Currently, St. Paul's serves as a memorial to the tragedy and is home to the "Bell of Hope", which was presented to the church in 2002 by the mayor of London. The bell tolls once a year on 9/11.

It is likely the priests and worshipers at St. Paul's never thought they would become an integral part of the single most devastating event in American history.When I talk to churches about their crisis management planning I always note, the crisis they are planning for may not necessarily be theirs. It might be for the local family who lost their home to a fire. It might be for the neighborhood across the street where the tornado touched down. It might be for another church that has lost the use of their sanctuary.

Regardless of the event, wouldn't it be wonderful if the first people on scene were from the local church with a trailer full of blankets, water, and hugs? Instead of waiting for FEMA or the Red Cross (both of which by the way are outstanding organizations), our churches should be setting the example of servanthood.  We need to understand that when crisis strikes, God can shine through us.
As a beacon in the community, our churches are responsible for providing a place of worship and praise. They are a warm shelter during the emotional storms of life and a lighthouse for the lost. They should also be a St. Paul's.

The Troas Group is dedicating Our September newsletter to those lost on 9/11.

Never Forget.

William L. Byrd

The Troas Group, Inc.

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