Melanie Cave speaks with Will van der Hart about what churches can learn from crisis response in moments like the 7/7 bombings and the Grenfell Tower fire. The conversation focuses on trauma, presence, and the long-term pastoral work needed when a community is shaken by grief, distrust, and loss. There. ispractical guidance on ways churches and leaders can prepare Will shares hard-won insight from years of ministry and emergency response, including why the church must resist the urge to fix everything, why timing matters in trauma care, and how presence can be a form of faithful resistance.
Key words
crisis response, church, critical event planning, death, mortality, trauma, presence, pastoral care, grief, trust, boundaries, resilience, community, collaboration, Grenfell Tower fire, 7/7 bombing, leadership
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction: what churches learn from crisis
00:31 – Lessons from 7/7 and emergency response
01:32 – Grenfell, trauma, and community mistrust
03:02 – Why rushed help can do harm
05:22 – Trust, relationships, and local credibility
10:30 – The emotional cost of caring
14:02 – Presence, boundaries, and long-term support
21:08 – Why presence matters more than fixing
33:48 – Presence as rebellion; called, not driven
42:31 – Preparation, partnerships, and planning ahead
Show Notes:
www.rootsforchurches.com
Will's article https://www.rootsforchurches.com/worship-and-learning-support/articles/responding-to-community-crisis
Clergy Support Trust https://www.clergysupport.org.uk/
