Protect Your Church During a Crisis | Phil Cooke

#churchcrisis #churchcommunications #mediarelations
Protect Your Church During a Crisis | Phil Cooke
The Missional Marketing Podcast hosts Jason Hamrock and Bart Blair welcome back Phil Cooke to discuss his new book, "Church on Trial: How to protect your congregation, mission, and reputation during a crisis."
Phil explains that his media production background led him to assist churches with crisis communication. Observing that seminaries don't typically teach these skills, he wrote a handbook for church leaders facing crises. The book aims to help churches prepare, as research shows organizations fare better when prepared for crises.
Key points discussed:
Crises are inevitable for churches in the social media age.
The book targets pastors, senior leaders, and boards of churches and nonprofits.
Common mistakes include not believing a crisis will happen and failing to prepare.
Alarming statistics: 4 out of 7 pastors have experienced financial misbehavior; over $1 billion stolen from churches annually.
Top reasons churches are sued: sexual abuse of minors, property disputes, personal injuries, zoning issues, and insurance disputes.
Phil recommends churches start crisis planning by considering their budget and size. He suggests developing a communication plan addressing:
Church location and security needs
Staff crisis communication training
Social media management
Local media relationships
Insurance policies
Employee/volunteer vetting processes
Professional security teams
The importance of strategic communications personnel is emphasized, as is thorough vetting of staff and volunteers.
Addressing negative online press, Phil and the hosts recommend:
Encouraging positive online content from congregants
Consistently sharing positive church stories
Considering a name change for smaller churches with overwhelming negative coverage
Regularly issuing press releases about positive events
Phil urges communications directors to become strategic advisors to church leadership. Building media relationships is stressed, with an example of how Pastor Jack Hayford's friendship with an LA Times editor led to frequent positive coverage.
The episode concludes with Phil emphasizing the importance of recognizing "red flags" that may indicate developing problems. He notes that in most crises he's helped navigate, leadership later realized they'd overlooked warning signs.
Key takeaways:
Crisis preparation is crucial for churches.
Having a communication plan helps churches respond effectively.
Regular positive storytelling can offset negative coverage.
Communications directors should strive to be strategic advisors.
Building media relationships is invaluable during crises.
Being alert to "red flags" can prevent major crises.
The episode provides valuable insights on church crisis management, emphasizing proactive planning, strategic communication, and relationship-building. Phil Cooke's experience informs practical advice to help churches protect their reputation and continue their mission even in challenging circumstances.
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[@PastorBartBlair]

It's always a treat having Phil on the show.