Page History

Reliant mission is the sending agency and employer and therefore maintains responsibility for liability and risk. With that in mind, Reliant has a crisis management team Crisis Management Team that will ultimately make the final decision when it comes to crisis response. In all crisis responses, the Crisis Management will work with field leadership. In some cases, depending on the situation, the crisis management manager may invite a leader from the supervising network or sending church to be a member of the Crisis Management Team for the specific crisis. 

Explain the idea of pre-approved delegate for crisis leadership on this page.

Shared Crisis Authority and Responsibilities in Reliant Partnerships

...

• Field Leader guides the strategy and day-to-day work of the ministries where Reliant workers serve.  The capacities of Local leaders vary; they may be a pastor, a church plant leader, a leader of a network of churches, or the team leader of a ministry. The local leader may or may not be employed by Reliant. The local leader(ship) has agreed to a partnership with Reliant according to the  Memo of Understanding. One of the responsibilities assigned to the local leader is Crisis Response management and preparation. The local leader will relate to Reliant’s Crisis Management team and structure in the management of crises. 

• Reliant Staff Team Member is the employee or associate volunteer, who is raising support for their mission, employed by Reliant, volunteering for Reliant,  and is responsible to report to Local Leadership for guidance in ministry. 

...

• Confirm that the church/team partnership has enough resources to withstand the potential risk. If those resources are lacking, Reliant will help to ensure that proper resources are made available before mobilizing its workers. 
• Assessment of individual Team members. Reliant will screen to help ensure the preparedness of potential team members being ready for the stress related to likely risks. 

Reliant StaffTeam Member: Individually needs to feel called to take the risk and accept the invitation. There is not to be pressure or coercion. 

...

Reliant: Review contingency plans and have them accessible for affected parties. 

Reliant StaffTeam Member:

• Will be present for annual review of these plans and 
• Ensure that they understand and can respond to the contingency plans. 
• Maintain preparedness levels as outlined in the contingency plans. 

...

Crisis Response - Decision-Making Authority

Refer to ......Have basic definitions below. For further info on crisis response refer to..... policies. 

Local Leader: is the primary party responsible to manage risks as they develop. The local leader may delegate management to another responsible party, as outlined in the contingency plan.  Risk management should follow the principles outlined in contingency plans. The local leader is responsible to balance the local priorities of the ministry with kingdom values and stewardship of personnel. That person should ensure the safety of the team according to contingency plan principles while informing Reliant and other church network supervisors as it is safe and possible to do so. (Is informing Reliant enough? Probably yes in a low-risk setting, probably not so much in a high-risk situation.) 

...

• Reliant expects to be informed if a team utilizes its contingency plan due to an occurrence that is outside of daily norms.  This communication may be brief and should follow a team leader’s duty to secure the safety of local team members. 
• In many cases, Reliant can provide communication resources to a team in crisis as it relates to sending churches, donors, families, and US-based relationships.  These are services that Reliant may provide if asked by individuals or team leaders. 
• Reliant will manage all communication that is provided publicly to entities outside of the ministry partnership, such as the press, other ministries, etc. 

Reliant StaffTeam Member: is expected to follow any instructions provided by local leadership or Reliant during a time of crisis, making it as easy as possible for leaders to lead effectively.  Workers are also expected to understand ministry principles and values, providing information that is helpful to their ministry’s shared values, and seeking ways to be supportive to the work and their teammates. 

...