Transitioning from False Security to Resilience

by Steve Matthews
Senior Missional Consultant

This time last year, my hometown, Hendersonville, NC was in shock. Hurricane Helene plowed through the area the last week of September 2024 with strong winds and nearly 30 inches of rain. 108 people lost their lives in Western North Carolina… mostly from the flood waters. The irony is that for the last decade many people said they were moving to these mountains because of our climate resiliency. Surprise!

People did indeed pull together in amazing ways to help one another, and I have often wondered how we might have done better. Perhaps the most important thing I have been reminded of through all of this is that relationships really matter. They help us navigate and enjoy our day-to-day lives, but they also provide community glue in times of great need. When in relationship with others (whether individuals or groups) we know whom to count on. In a crisis we might ask these questions: Who has what resources? How do we collaborate? What can I do? What is the gift my faith community wants to offer in a crisis? Who are our partners?

These are great questions to ask during a crisis… if you have cell phone service and internet for effective communication (which we didn’t). There was a bit of a frenzy as people tried to piece together available resources. Since September 2024 we have been in a huge transition as we struggle to build back. I hope we are building more resilient communities who work together, because we have no way of knowing how we might be called to pivot in the future.

This month’s blogs are focusing on transitions, and perhaps the biggest challenge we all face is to embrace the reality that we are in a constant state of impermanence where everything is always in transition. Sometimes transitions happen slowly and almost without notice, and sometimes we face challenges, like Helene, where rivers change courses and whole communities disappear. I wonder what practices encourage us to prepare for transitions by nurturing community.

Here are five ways communities can build resilience during periods of change:

Strengthen local connections and social networks. Communities thrive when neighbors know and support each other. This means creating spaces for people to meet regularly, fostering volunteer networks, and building mutual aid systems where community members can share resources, skills, and assistance during challenging times.

Diversify economic opportunities and support local businesses. Resilient communities don’t depend on a single industry or employer. Encouraging entrepreneurship, supporting diverse small businesses, investing in workforce training for emerging fields, and buying local all help create economic stability that can weather disruptions.

Invest in adaptable infrastructure and essential services. This includes modernizing utilities to handle extreme weather, creating flexible community spaces that can serve multiple purposes, ensuring reliable internet access, and maintaining strong emergency response systems. Infrastructure that can adapt to different needs provides a foundation for community stability.

Build inclusive decision-making processes. Communities are more resilient when diverse voices shape local policies and plans. This means creating accessible ways for all residents to participate in civic life, establishing community advisory boards, and ensuring that marginalized groups have representation in planning for the future.

Foster knowledge sharing and skill development. Encouraging community education programs, skill-sharing workshops, and intergenerational mentorship helps communities maintain valuable knowledge and adapt to new challenges. This could include everything from traditional skills to digital literacy, emergency preparedness training to sustainable practices.

The most resilient communities typically combine several of these approaches, recognizing that social, economic, and practical preparedness all reinforce each other.

Can you see a place in these suggestions for your faith community to provide leadership or at least engage? The first step might be as simple as offering up your space for community gatherings like neighborhood association meetings. Or perhaps you might host or convene conversations about things that matter to your community. What like-minded non-profits or businesses might partner with your congregation in accomplishing something for the good of the larger community?

Building these kinds of relationships is, in and of itself, a transition to a new way of being that nurtures interdependence and possibility. At FaithX, we have tools and resources to help you connect in transforming ways to your neighbors, non-profits, and businesses. Let us know how we might accompany you as you embrace the transitions you face today, and those that may come your way tomorrow.