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What Can A Pastor Do?

When the applicant graduates from our program, he will be required to participate in an Eight month accountability relationship in his church. This Pastoral Covenant period will help him in continuing the discipleship process that was started here in his counseling sessions with his Chaplain.

The following is a list that you, the Pastor, can do in working with a man on our waiting list. We understand that many who are waiting may not desire to be helped during this time. In that case, you will not need to do anything but pray that the Lord bring them to the end of themselves. However, if there is even one man willing to be helped while waiting to enter, these guidelines will empower you to influence the life of this man for eternity.

  • Assess the Physical needs. The applicant may have certain health issues (medical/dental) that may need to be taken care of prior to entrance into the program. If he has been employed and needs to support his family, he may need to apply for disability while in the program. You can suggest to him that he explore what the options are. You do not have to take him to these appointments, just make him aware of the resources available.
  • Begin to assess the spiritual needs. Many applicants may not know the Lord. This presents a great opportunity to lead him and/or his family into a saving knowledge of Christ. The Colony of Mercy offers Bible studies on repentance and what it means to be “born again.” the applicant can call us and we will send them to him while waiting. You can then help him answer the questions in the study and perhaps assign any follow-up material you desire.
  • Be alert to certain ‘red flags’ that may indicate manipulation or a ‘con-artist.’
    • Someone too good to be true
    • Pushiness or demanding
    • Rejects any proposed solution or offer of help.
    • Circumstances unclear or unable to be confirmed.
    • Guilt manipulation
    • Failure to keep appointments and other obligations
    • Victim syndrome “everyone else’s fault but theirs.”
  • Begin assembling a group of men to help in ministering to the applicant. People coming out of life-dominating sins usually require a lot of time and attention. It is good if you can get a number of men from the church to help in ministering to the applicant while on the waiting list. Accountability and encouragement is necessary at this time.
  • Be a good steward of your time, money and resources.
    • As a rule, do not give money for those who ask
    • Verify as much as possible the need of those to whom you give food, shelter, clothing or money.
    • As much as possible, spend most of your time and resopurces helping those who are truly in need and willing to move forward in life.
    • Don’t cast your pearls before swine (Mt. 7:6).
    • Don’t foolishly risk yourself or your family. If there are situations where you need to visit the family, it is wise to take someone with you. Alert local law enforcement in cases of domestic violence.
  • Prepare yourself for battle with the true enemy, Satan.
  • Ask God to give you a spirit of wisdom and discernment as to how you deal with an individual.
    • Be agood student of human nature (1Thes. 5:14)
    • Bea fruit inspector (Matt. 5:16-20).
    • Beas gentle as a dove and as wise as a serpent (Matt. 10:16)
  • Keep in mind that true love is giving a person what they need, not so much what they want.
    • Themost difficult yet necessary word anyone can hear is “NO.”
    • Helpingthe applicant develop boundaries in his personal life and relationships will be necessary for his growth.
  • Encourage yourself that broken people of the world are the very ones Jesus sought to minister.
    • You may see a side of humanity that is rarely seen.
    • You are the channel of God’s grace to this applicant.
  • Measure your success according to biblical standards, not the world’s
    • Faithfulness – it’s not ability but availability
    • Salt & Light – the less this person uses, the more evil is restrained in the earth.
    • Lifting up Christ – He’s the reason for the work.
    • Seed planting and watering
    • Spiritual victories.

This list of guidelines is not exhaustive, but it may help give you some practical principles to implement in ministering to one who needs Jesus. “inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these, my brothers, you have done it unto me” Matt. 25:40.

 

Adapted from Dr. Robert Emberger’s 20 principles for ministering to the down and out—or just about anyone.