When news reports break into TV programming to relate the latest crisis, viewers seldom see what resources the community uses to cope with the situation.
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Their research also explores how individuals make sense of crises which disrupt their settled sense of themselves and the world. Funded by a four-year grant from the Lilly Endowment, the research project aims to help community leaders and religious people understand how they can deal more effectively with the crises that inevitably come. Fortunately, the study is pointing to some concrete steps that really help, says Eiesland. For example, congregations need to learn how to tell stories about crises that elicit positive attitudes. Congregations also need to become familiar with the organizational life of their communities so that they can guide people in getting practical help during tough times.