What is Compassion Ministry
Changes occurring in healthcare spell bad news for family caregivers. Hospitals discharge patients long before they have fully healed. Either the patient or the family must assume care responsibilities to complete the healing process. While that was not a problem in the past, it has become one now. Fewer families have two adult incomes, and although that was true before the 1950s, at that time, a one-adult household provider could also support the family financially. Now, in many homes, it cannot. Furthermore, extended family members are not available to step in to help with care.
Mental health wellness practices taught our nation to put “me first.” As a result, providing care responsibilities to parents or grandparents crosses boundaries that protect young adults who are growing families and building careers. Also, domestic violence may have played a role in the original reason for the hospital admission. If that is the case, it is unlikely the abuser will help with recovery treatments.
Medicare provides limited funding or none at all after discharge, and most people do not qualify for Medicaid. For those single-income families, hiring help is out of the question. Who can help these people? I hope the church will consider stepping in to fill the gap. A Compassion Ministry could serve as a liaison for resources to help people find what they need. Not only that, but it’s what Jesus would have us do for them. Matthew 25:34:40. “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Why am I encouraging churches to start Compassion Ministries? It wasn’t part of my original plan, which was to expand my Healthcare to Homecare website after my husband’s death to incorporate information on patient advocacy and to strengthen the information on home care, in response to the push to send patients home sooner. However, when I returned to church, I was shocked at the low attendance. I began to hear that it was common among all churches since COVID. Members had not returned. I began to research why.
He led me to articles on why people were not attending church and how we had lost connection with those under 30. Additional resources showed ways to encourage people to listen to our message again. One of those ways was to show people God’s love through meeting their needs.
When I reached that point, God told me that my next purpose was to begin encouraging churches to start a revival among young people through one-on-one ministry, specifically by helping with home care. I honestly resisted, and I still am afraid to do this, but this is God’s ministry, and I can’t say “No” to him. Therefore, I founded Compassion Ministry to assist churches in developing strategies to support members facing chronic health concerns and other crises.
Before deciding to start a ministry, ask God to reveal whether your church needs a Compassion Ministry or if you are already meeting the needs of your church family. If He responds that he wants you to start a program, then ask him where he wants you to focus. As you begin to assess the needs and struggles among your church family, you may realize the needs are much greater than you imagined and wonder how you ever missed them all. Then, in the next breath, you may wonder how to meet them all.
Keep in mind, God fed 5000 with just a few fish and loaves of bread, so he can do anything you ask of him when it’s in his will. Since this is His ministry, he will fund it. God wanted the Compassion Ministry programs used by the churches to meet area needs. He will direct each church to develop the necessary programs for that area. Ask him where he wants your church to focus. He may want you to choose one program or more that complement one another. Have a prayer group ask Him to give you an answer, and then go with it.
Once you know which programs to start, I have drafted rough directions on how to get started for various programs. If you need more information or get stuck, please call me for assistance, and I’ll do my best to help you find the answer or provide a resource. God Bless you, and I know He will.
As you begin to reach out to members of your church and assist them with various projects, you will likely encounter those who are unfamiliar with the fundamental beliefs of Christianity. While some did not attend Sunday school, it is possible others had no exposure to Christian beliefs at all. Members should also prepare to respond to individuals who are angry due to previous encounters with Christians who were judgmental about choices they made, which those individuals felt were immoral. Helping members learn how to respond apologetically and lovingly to the behaviors of others, and assuring them that God loves everyone, is essential.
I’ve included information about the main characters of the Bible, why the Bible is considered valid, how to discuss salvation, why God cast Satan out of heaven, and a few additional topics. If you have information you would like to share, please send it for my review. If they can be of help, I would love to add them.
