Disaster Response & the Church

Disaster Response & the Church

This Sunday at CDC, we were privileged to have Dr.Ng Swee Ming speak on a topic very close to this heart, “Disaster Response and the Church”.

Starting off with a Scriptural view on disasters, Dr.Ng shared with us that there are four primary reasons why disasters occur.

Firstly, disasters sometimes occur because of Judgment. The Great Flood during the time of Noah, and the fiery disaster on Sodom and Gomorrah are two primary examples of God’s specific judgment on the world and two wicked cities because of their sinfulness.

Secondly, disasters occur because of Sin. Once Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, the whole of creation became subject to the effects of sin, and all natural disasters that happen are linked to this initial act of disobedience.

Thirdly, disasters sometimes occur as a call to Repentance. Many times, the people of Israel had to be humbled and ravaged by disaster before they repented and turned back to God. Very specifically, Elijah prayed that there might not be rain for three years until Ahab and the Israelites repented. Sometimes, a threat of disaster can also be a call of repentance, as happened with Jonah and the city of Nineveh.

Fourthly, disasters sometimes occur as a Sign. Jesus spoke of disasters as a sign that the end was coming near – wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes….

(Disaster can also sometimes occur as a Test, as the great testing that befell Job)

As Christians, we need also to have strong Scriptural foundations of truth whenever disaster happens.

Firstly, God is still King and on the throne. In spite of all that happens. God is still God. He is still king and in control of everything.

Secondly, God is loving and just. The Scripture says that God does not delight in the death of the wicked. He does not want anyone to perish.

Thirdly, we must be careful not to call a disaster as judgment from God. Disaster sometimes happen as a specific judgment, but not always. Usually, there is a clear prophecy warning of a judgment before it happens, like Noah, and like Sodom and Gomorrah. It is dangerous for Christians to be quick to condemn. Christians also died in the Tsunami, even Christian missionaries.

Fourthly, we must not think that those impacted by disasters are worst sinners than others. Jesus clearly spoke out against this. All of us are sinners, and will die if we do not repent.

In any case, in any disaster, the church is clearly called to help. In fact, any disaster is actually a great opportunity to reach out and save the lost who might not have been open to spiritual life before this happened. However, in practice, it is not easy, especially if we are not prepared.

Usually, the church only responds once a disaster happens and by then, not that much can be done to help, and the help that is given is usually haphazard and too late. It is a sad thing that “Christian Relief” is usually disdained as only interested in preaching the gospel and not giving proper aid. Too often, Christians only come a few weeks, or a few months at most, and many times, that is not enough. To be able to really help, a lot of manpower is needed, and training is required, even before incidents like the Tsunami happen. Unity is also very important, even when working with churches of different denominations. Different people have different strengths and weaknesses, and it is a challenge to find the right people to help at the right time at the right place.

May the Lord touch our hearts and fill us with compassion and wisdom to do more for this ministry, lending a hand and showing genuine love for those in need in a time of need.

God bless,

Jason