Jonathan Gallo

Tag: small groups

  • Fostering an Environment for New Believers to Grow

    Fostering an Environment for New Believers to Grow

    How do we care and help people on the journey to fully developing as followers of Jesus?  I don’t believe there is a silver bullet answer but perhaps a combination of several factors.

    Recognize Spiritual Birthing is a process

    • Seed (1 Pet 1:23, John 3:9)
    • Formed Inside (Gal 4:19)
    • Birthed (Colossians 1:27, Colossians 3:4, 1 John 3:2)

    The birthing process is a picture the Bible uses to help us understand what is happening to us.  The Bible teaches us that at the point of conversion God’s seed abides in us (1 Peter 1:23, 1 John 3:9).  God’s grace for us is the seed (sperm) that finds its place in our faith (egg).  As our faith rests in God’s grace – Christ is formed in us (Galatians 4:19).  The Bible teaches us that we are on our way to “birthing Christ”. We are on our way to being like Him.  We are on our way to being shaped to be like Him.  We are on our way to looking like Him (Colossians 1:27, Colossians 3:4, 1 John 3:2).

    Even as parents we want our kids to grow up quick, we need to realize that it takes time. There are messes, sacrifice, and work to see a helpless infant grow into a fully functioning contributing member of society.

    The lesson to learn is that it takes a good 2-3 years for a new believer to feed themselves, become able to self-feed, and contribute.  It doesn’t matter if they have grown up in a religious environment or an irreligious one.

    Reflection: What has been my experience with new believers… How do I approach a new believer?

    Allow ANY question

    You cannot approach new believers with your own agenda.  They will be most ready to grow and learn when you approach them with a listening ear and be ready to help answer their question.  It’s not effective to use the whole “just believe” line.  You must be ok with questions that take you out of your comfort zone and challenge you personally.  Approach humbly and without judgement.  Approach without any assumptions.  Most new followers of Jesus have had zero understanding of Bible stories and Biblical ethics.  Be ready to spend extra time with new believers, especially the first few years of their new spiritual life.

    New believers have questions that range from science and logic to philosophy and physics.  There will be questions that try to connect faith to science and logic.  Is that belief reasonable?  How does it all connect?

    You will hear questions about something that they heard in culture that isn’t true but they believe are found in the Bible.

    You will also hear questions that ask “why”?  Why did this happen in the Bible?  Why is there evil and pain?  Why do I need to?

    You will hear questions about how one should live.  There will be assumptions that one can still live the same way after Jesus as before Jesus.  Individuals from an eastern background may have trouble with exclusivity.  As an example, there is often the idea that one can be Hindu and Christian at the same time. Or the opposite – that everything is black and white and there are no gray areas.

    You will hear questions about who to trust.  Many will believe that all Bible teachers teach the same and have the same interpretation.  There is a naivety that every Christian leader is a good person with no agenda.  The challenge that you will find is the many voices that speak into their life (online, radio, other local pastors, friends, etc).  You don’t have the luxury of being the only voice – which is good and ok, however, be aware that it creates questions.

    Some of these questions will stretch you, startle you or make you uncomfortable. In the process of helping them understand the answers to their questions, you’ll grow as well.

    Reflection: What questions bother me the most?

    Prepare for Emotions

    When fostering an environment for new believers to grow, you also need to also be prepared for various emotions.

    Rejection – Emotions may arise because leaving ones previous religion means that one is rejected by one’s family, culture and sense of security.

    Regret – Emotions could arise from processing the past.  Did I waste time?  Why did I live this way for so long?

    Resentment – Emotions might be directed to a previous religion or oneself for believing something different for so long.  You might see anger directed either outward or inward.

    Utopian Expectation – This expectation sounds like coming to Jesus means that all my darkness, addictions, and problems will ultimately go away.  I will become un-addicted, my relationships will all be better, my financial problems will be better, I will get healed, and my loved one won’t die.

    Urgency – This feels like everyone should do what I have done because hell and heaven are immediate realities that people need to deal with.  There is often a sense of radical focus.

    Reflection: What emotions do I have a hard time accepting?

    Navigate Extremes

    When a new believer becomes all about learning they tend to get legalistic or full of license. They either believe their behaviour shapes God’s love for them or it doesn’t matter.

    In one extreme Christian life becomes all about knowledge acquisition.  Due to an unstructured upbringing, they turn to structure and black and white answers.  There is the tendency to look for practical teaching, latch on to a favourite Bible teacher and become co-dependant to hear what that Bible teacher teaches.  They end up having an unbalanced home or church life.

    In the other extreme, a person doesn’t feel like they need to change and can always be who they were and have no desire to grow.  They live with license believing God’s grace is so great that we can keep sinning and it doesn’t matter.  Often these individuals have grown up in a rigorously structured environment and want total freedom.  They create their own theology based on their experience or the revelation of others.  They go to church when they want and only go so far.

    The challenge is to move people to a balanced position.  To help them navigate their expectations on the church and others.

    Reflection:

    • How do you navigate extremes in people and bring them back to a balanced view…
    • How do you care for people along the way – be ok with people as they are there…

    Release Responsibility

    The purpose of parenting is to release responsibility to my children as they can handle it so that they can become fully independent.  While I like that they want to be close to me, I realize the need that their health is related to how much they can and want to do on their own.

    As new believers get in the grove and habits grow you need to give them more and more responsibility to find their own answers by doing the digging themselves.  The key is to get them to a place where they can get an application from scripture and prayer.  To move them from codependent to interdependent.  To move them from forced habits to natural rhythms.  To change beliefs and behaviour.

    Key Areas

    • Bible
      • Where to start, how it works, approaches interpretation
      • Making personal application
    • Prayer
      • Scripted Prayers, Listening & Conversation.
    • Relationship
      • Living with myself, growing with others
    • Theology
      • God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
      • The Big Picture (Creation & Fall, Israel, Jesus, Church, Future)
      • Humanity (Purpose, Relationships, Stewardship)
      • Realms / Worlds (Natural & Spiritual)

    Reflection: What areas do I see have best helped me as a new believer?

    For further support in how to foster an environment for new believers in your life, remember, you can always contact your Area Pastor. They can help you find answers or support in the questions and answers that you find challenging.

  • The organization vs. the organism

    The organization vs. the organism

    I have learned over the years that there are two sides to the local church: the organization and the organism. Sometimes they compete for attention and fight for ultimate priority. As a leader I must always give the organism priority.

    History

    The early church was organized in a structure that mirrored the Jewish rabbinical leadership structure that was prevalent at the time. By 323AD Constantine began to amalgamate the church and the state into one. In due time, the head of state and the head of the church shared power. In Western Europe, that leadership structure stayed until the 1500’s as the heads of state began to back different theological views and wanted independence from the Roman Empire. In 1770-1790’s the French and American Revolution were established on the need to separate church and state. They began to operate independently from the influence one another.

    As the industrial revolution began to take shape, the idea of the corporation began to take shape. The corporation was treated as a separate entity and not tied to a particular individual. In the US, in the late 1800’s various states developed the ability for a church to incorporate. For example, in 1872 Illinois developed the Religious Corporations Act and in 1894 Congress created the Tarrif Act providing organizations with charitable purposes tax exemption.

    Here was the agreement. Churches would voluntarily be given tax exemption if they:

    • Provided a public benefit according to the definition of the law
    • Provided proof of accountability of finances
    • Provided a structure and policies where the organization wouldn’t provide direct benefit to a single person.

    Over the years a variety of benefits emerged including tax exemption, a special tax status for clergy, and the ability to provided donation receipts for personal tax relief. In parts of Canada, hundreds of parcels of land were given to churches to build community parishes. Yet over time, the organizational requirements for the acquisition of these benefits has also grown.

    What does this mean for us today?

    The church is a group of people who are connected to each other because of their faith in Jesus (universal church) and personally committed to becoming and making disciples of Jesus with others in a local context (local church).

    Let’s be clear. There is no Biblical mandate for followers of Jesus to register their organism as an organization (with the government). You can have a church (organism) without an organization and an organization that is not a church (organism). They are two separate things.

    Not all churches around the world have the same requirements that churches in North America do. This means that I can’t equate the organization elements of my church to the organism and use Bible verses to support it. I must see the corporation as what it is, a requirement of our society.

    We forget that there is a difference. We forget that our call as pastors is to the organism, not the organization. If we are running an organization that serves a church we must do it to the best of our ability. Yet we must remember that the organization must serve the organism and not the other way around. Organizational business models, systems, and acquiring and protecting assets must serve the organism.

    Am I suggesting that we should not register with the government? Not at all. What I am suggesting is that we become aware of the tension between the two and focus on what we are called to do.

    Now, these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

    Ephesians 4:11-13
  • Mini Group Guidelines

    Mini Group Guidelines

    Mini-Groups: Are clusters of three or four people meeting to intentionally encourage and walk-through growth in a specific area. These groups run throughout the year and vary in the frequency of meetings.

    What happens in a Mini-Group: Meeting in Mini-Group provides a safe environment for people to explore a specific area of their life on a deeper level through conversation and biblical teaching. Often participants are paired with a facilitator who is a few steps ahead in experience and maturity.

    Purpose of a Mini-Group:

    • Help people navigate through a season of life beyond what can be offered in larger groups
    • Share from personal experience based on Scriptural teaching through our Church’s Statement of Faith.
    • Gathering with Christ-centered people who offer care, support and accountability.

    Expectations of Mini-Groups:

    • While this type of group involves discipling, there is no counselling involved. Rather the goal is for the leader to walk alongside participants and encourage them in their personal development using personal experience, and approved material.
    • If issues arise during the Mini-Group process that requires further expertise, such as counselling, a referral will take place.
    • Mini-Groups target specific areas of growth and therefore participants will complete a Participation agreement outlining details of the group: Duration of Mini-Group (how often, how long, number of meetings); Brief description of purpose/goals for the meeting; Resources being used.
    • Each Mini-Group will be assigned to a Pastor for accountability

    Sample Confidentiality Agreement:

    All communication within the Mini-Group will be kept in confidence. Such communication will only be released where required by law, court order, or to protect the health and safety of those involved.

    Mini-Group Participation Agreement

    Leader Names:__________________________________________________

    Participants Names:______________________________________________

    Pastor:_____________________________________________________

    Brief Description and focus for the Mini-Group:

    _______________________________________________________________

    _______________________________________________________________

    _______________________________________________________________

    Brief Description of what you hope to accomplish in your time together (Goals):_________________________________________________________

    ________________________________________________________________

    ________________________________________________________________

    Details of Meeting:

    Start date:________________________  End Date:______________________

    Frequency or number of Gatherings:__________________________________

    Length of time for each Gathering:___________________________________

    Resources being used:_____________________________________________

    ________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________                              __________________

    Leader Signature                                                         Date

    _____________________________                              __________________

    Leader Signature                                                         Date

    _____________________________                              __________________

    Participant Signature                                                    Date

    _____________________________                              __________________

    Participant Signature                                                    Date

  • Visitation Training

    Visitation Training

    Visiting the Sick

    In the Bible, care of the sick and injured is clearly and compassionately expressed. Divinely prescribed laws and insightful healing narratives are found in both Old and New Testaments.  Consequently, we are called to care for persons as God would care for them. 

    Visiting the Hospital

    General Information

    • Call the hospital and ask for “Patient Information” before leaving to visit.  Verify the patient’s location and room number.  If different from the information you have, ask if the patient has been discharged or moved to another location.
    • Always stop at the floor nurses’ station before entering the patient’s room, even if you already know the room number.  Ask about permission to visit at that time.
    • Before proceeding into the ER, inquire at the admittance desk or window.
    • When visiting a child, never enter the room without permission from a parent or guardian.
    • If required, always wear precautionary items such as gowns, masks, and gloves—especially when signs are posted outside the patients’ room.

    Common Etiquette

    • Knock softly on the door and wait for a reply before entering.
    • Greet the patient and introduce yourself to others in the room.
    • Stand comfortably near the bed, but never sit on it.
    • Turn off your cell phone or turn the ringer off. Do not check messages or text while visiting the patient.  The patient and/or family deserve your full focus and attention.
    • If the doctor or therapist arrives to examine or talk to the patient, offer to leave the room. You can return once medical personnel leaves.
    • Generally, leave the door as it was upon entering. You may ask if the patient would like the door open or closed.
    • Before leaving the hospital, cleanse your hands with sanitizer, etc.  If you touch something else (telephone, doorknob, bed linens, etc.), sanitize or wash your hands again.  Wash your hands once more when arriving at the office or home.
    • Stay only for a short time period – no more than 5-10 minutes unless invited to stay longer and if the person wants you there.  In some cases, a person may be in pain and doesn’t want visitors.

    Home Visitation

    • Read and familiarize yourself with the “Communication Tools” provided.
    • In most cases, you can follow basic hospital visit guidelines when asked to visit a home
    • Home visits should not be made alone, unless you are sure there will be family members at home in addition to the patient.
    • Taking your spouse is sometimes an option. If he/she is not available, ask a trusted church lay leader to go with you.
    • If you arrive at the home and you realize you will be alone with the patient, proceed with extreme caution and keep your visit very short.
    • Never enter a home if you will be alone with a member of the opposite gender. Simply excuse yourself and do not enter the home. Assure the individual that you will reschedule.
    • If there is any sign of domestic violence or an emotionally unstable person in the home, do not go in. Sit in your car if you feel threatened in anyway. Porch conversations may have to suffice and do not hesitate to call the authorities to the home should you or anyone seem to be in danger.
    • Be prepared for the unusual.  You may encounter pets/animals or children who are unruly or uncontrolled.  You may walk into a home that is very untidy or even filthy. 
    • Always pray before entering the home, asking the Holy Spirit to give you discernment and allow you to take peace into the home with you. Illness, including the effects of medications, can sometimes create difficult circumstances in which to minister. This is why teamwork is always the best scenario.

    Communication Tools

    Effective Listening

    • Put yourself in the patient’s position—imagine how you would think and feel.
    • Gently give the patient opportunities to open up and discuss the situation.
    • Summarize information: Offer a concise overview of main themes and feelings expressed.

    Non-Verbal Communication

    • Face the person and maintain eye contact.
    • Offer facial expressions that convey sincere interest and calm assurance.
    • Always ask if you may touch the patient before praying.  Be gentle and keenly aware of particular areas of pain that may be sensitive to touch.  Don’t touch the arm connected to an I.V.

    Verbal Communication

    • Offer volume and tone of voice that convey caring and support.
    • Talk audibly—not too softly nor loudly. Increase your volume if you find the patient cannot hear you. Sometimes, when people are sick, their hearing is affected.
    • Ask direct, open-ended questions concerning the situation without being graphic.  Do not ask for more information than the patient is willing to give. 
    • Offer to read appropriate verses or passages from the Bible.
    • Simply share with the patient that you have come to pray with them if they would like it and offer some encouragement and you will be on your way.
    • Ask specifically and sensitively how you can pray.  Keep prayers brief, simple, and Holy Spirit-led. Assure the patient that others are praying and that you will continue to check on them.
    • Always ask the patient’s permission to share their information with others, if necessary.

    Common Mistakes

    • Wearing perfume or cologne.  Even a pleasant fragrance can be too pungent in a hospital room.
    • Chewing gum while talking. No one likes to listen to chewing or smacking gum.
    • Avoiding the obvious.  Generally, the patient or family wants to talk about the situation.
    • Talking about a person you know who died of the same illness or injury the patient has.
    • Using the patient’s bathroom.
    • Giving medical advice.
    • Discussing the patient’s care with a doctor or nurse.
    • Overstaying the visit.  Generally, keep the visit to 15–20 minutes, being sensitive to the patient’s condition and environment.  Visits in the Emergency Room may last longer, depending on the situation.

    Reporting A Visit

    Reports provide valuable and timely information and should be shared within 24 hours after completing a visit.  Be clear and concise in summarizing your experience.  Areas to note:

    • How is the patient doing right now—physically and emotionally?
    • Does the patient or family know of any tests or procedures scheduled in the next few days? If so, what are they and when will they happen?
    • Has the patient or family been informed about a release date?
    • Does the patient or family have specific needs to which we may minister?  (Meals at home, fuel for commuting, sermon CD’s, books, etc.)

    Refer to prayer training for leaders for more information on prayer during the visit.

  • Prayer Ministry Training

    Prayer Ministry Training

    These are general guidelines for our leaders as you lead others in prayer. Please follow these principles as your lead prayer

    1. Pray the Father’s Heart

    Prayer team members who focus on praying the Father’s heart will avoid ministering out of their own strength, opinion, or experience.  When we pray the Father’s heart for people, we keep the focus on God.

    Example:        Man requests prayer.  “I need a financial breakthrough.”           

    Does not focus on God:  “Lord, please help this man to work harder so that he can make more money.”

    **Focus is on God:  “Thank you, Lord, that you are the source of this man’s provision.  You are faithful and good.”

    Why do we focus on God? 

    This is how we CARE FOR PEOPLE and GLORIFY GOD

    1.  Hurting people need to connect with God.  The people coming for prayer may feel scared, desperate, and/or lost.  Life’s problems often keep people distracted or blind from God’s presence, His love, and His blessing.  Our goal is to help people connect with God so that they can freely receive His restoration and hope.

    2.  God is the source of everything a person needs.  The biggest obstacle to ministry is ME.  We are often tempted to think that people need to receive from our personal experience, spiritual knowledge, or ministry ability.  When we submit to God in true humility, He can more fully minister to His people.  

    2. RESPECT & PROTECT the person receiving ministry.

    In a loving environment, we create a safe place for vulnerability by offering the utmost respect to the person receiving care.

    A. Respect & Protect Principle #1:  Maintain HEALTHY BOUNDARIES

    Exercise: Draw a picture of a house.

    • Now draw a picture of yourself standing OUTSIDE the house.
    • Above the image of you, write your name.
    • Above the image of the house, write the word “Others”

    See the person you are ministering to as a house.  When people come to you for prayer, they are inviting you into their personal space:  family, finances, fears & failures.  Leave your shoes at the door and walk into the house when invited.  The ministry is on their terms.  This image will help you maintain healthy boundaries.

    Example of a respectful perspective: The person  receiving ministry is inviting me (prayer team member) into their hurt, wound, or trauma. God, give me the grace to be compassionate and sensitive as I intercede for this person.

    When we stand at the front of the church it feels like a spotlight.  We are visible to all.  We MUST turn our attention away from self and honor the person who is coming to us for prayer. 

    B. Respect & Protect Principle #2:  ALWAYS PRAY, NEVER COUNSEL

    Always Pray, Never Counsel:  People have different levels of comfort.  They will address you at their particular comfort level. God will work through you to meet a person’s need – it is not necessary to know intimate details. 

    1. Ask questions when you need clarity to understand the person’s request.
    2. Do not ask questions about a story’s details.  It is not necessary.
    3. Do not transition into counseling or giving an opinion.

    Bottom Line: Pray the Father’s Heart!  When we give our opinions or counsel people, let it serve as a warning sign that we have moved away from praying the Father’s Heart. 

    Can I guard myself from the temptation to move into giving counsel or advice?

    Always ASSUME THE BEST in others

    Human nature assumes about other people’s problems based on our own experiences, theological persuasion, etc.  These assumptions are typically motivated to address the ‘why’ question.  We instinctively ask ourselves, “Why is this person in this predicament?”  The root cause of a problem is an exploration reserved for a setting more intimate than the after service/experience Prayer Ministry.

    Exercise:         Woman requests prayer.  “I need a physical healing.”

    List 3 reasons people might assume she’s ill:

    Exercise:         Man requests prayer. “My marriage is on the rocks.”

    List 3 reasons people might assume his marriage is in trouble:

    1.  

    Exercise:         Draw a giant ‘X’ through the reasons you listed above.

    Learn to cancel out your assumptions about people’s problems!  Life is too complex for generalities.  When we minister from our assumptions, we will begin to counsel.  Counseling based on our assumptions has the ability to hurt people.

    Bottom Line: Pray the Father’s Heart!  Challenge yourself to reject your assumptions about people and their problems.

    C. Respect & Protect Principle #3:  HELP OTHERS BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

    Hurting people gain hope when they believe that they too can hear God.  Prayer Ministry is a wonderful time to encourage people to experience God’s presence. 

    Encourage people to Hear God:  Ask  “What is God saying to you?”

    Discerning prayer team members may easily identify areas of a person’s life in need of ministry.  Learn to be patient with each person’s spiritual growth process.  Rather than attempting to meet every perceived need, ask the person, “What is God saying to you?” See the following example;

    Petitioner:  Please pray for my marriage. We’re separated, but I want to get back together.  She’s angry and stubborn.  It gets me all upset.  I’m dating a woman at work, so at least I have someone to talk to about these things.  That’s temporary, though, I really want to get back with my wife.

    Prayer Team Member:  What is God saying to you about your relationship with this woman at work?  Before we pray, let’s ask Him what He wants to say to you about your marriage?

    How does the prayer team member’s response place responsibility on the man?

    When people hear God, agree with them in prayer.  TRUE STORY:

    A woman asked for a financial breakthrough.  She described her situation in detail.  At one point, she briefly said, “I feel like God is telling me that I’m enduring a trial.”

    The prayer team member prayed, “Lord, please help this woman learn how to manage her resources.  Help her to learn skills for being a better financial steward.”

    The second Team Member then prayed, “Lord, Your Word says that when we go through tough times, you will build in us the character and nature of Christ.  Please help this woman become more like You.”

    When the second team member finished praying, the woman was in tears.  She testified, “When you prayed, I had a vision of my heart.  It burst open with a piercing light and Jesus was standing there.  I know that He is with me.” 

    How does this story illustrate ways you can encourage people to experience God?

    Bottom Line: Pray the Father’s Heart!  People hear God.  Let them answer the question, “What is God’s heart in this situation?”  He might already be speaking to them.

    Preparation

    We minister to others out of the fullness of our relationship with God, and within the limits of our personal level of spiritual-emotional wellness:

    1. Please maintain personal intimacy with the Father.
    2. Please pursue spiritual-emotional health and wellness. 
    3. When needed, please seek help from a pastor, mentor, or friend. 

    The Basics:              

    • Dress modestly and well-groomed.  Invest in breath mints!
    • Avoid unnatural public behavior (spitting, screaming, blowing on people).
    • Maintain an open and accepting posture.

    Pray with Your Eyes Open

    • Be alert to signals that the Holy Spirit is moving upon a person.  While concentrating on the individual, also be aware of your surroundings.

    Remain Conservative with Touch

    • Ensure that you are not distracting or intrusive: 
    • Ask permission before laying hands on someone.
    • Hold hands or lay hands gently on the shoulder or head: Do not push.
    • Keep your hand still: Avoid rubbing or patting people.
    • Use a Comforting Tone. Those who receive prayer need nurture and comfort.  Maintain a calm, steady voice. Be aware that an aggressive tone may make a person feel nervous and unreceptive.  Allow God’s Spirit to flow through you in a natural, calming way.

    Maintain Strict Confidentiality

    • Confidentiality builds trust.  Personal information shared during Prayer Ministry must be handled with discretion.  Please do not share this information with others. 
    • See section on Emergency & Crisis Situations for how to deal with these challenges.

    Prioritize Follow-up & Referral: 

    • Be aware of the potential need for people to receive on-going pastoral nurture and Christian community.  Remain faithful to completing the tools that help with Pastoral Care follow-up. 

    SALVATION:

    When Jesus commands, ‘You must be born again,’ He is referring to our response to God’s redemptive plan to give us a new nature in Christ.  We receive this new birth by believing in Jesus Christ and surrendering our will to Him. 

    • Ask people if they have a relationship with Jesus Christ. 
    • Pray with the person to receive Christ.
    • Let your ministry leader know by writing their information down for the purpose of follow-up care.

    HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM:

    In Prayer Ministry, we guard against any prayer that would coerce or manipulate an individual in their experience of the Holy Spirit’s presence.  We DO freely welcome and encourage the Holy Spirit Baptism:

    1. Ensure that the person has received salvation.  This is a requirement before receiving the Holy Spirit Baptism.
    2. Clarify the person’s expectations & assumptions regarding baptism.  Dialogue with the individual if there is need for further understanding.
    3. Luke 11:13 reads, “How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Instruct the person to ask the Father for the Holy Spirit Baptism.  Explain that you will agree with them while they pray.
    4. Ask the person for feedback on what they experienced during the prayer. 
    5. Together, ask the Lord, “Is there anything else you want to do for me?” and “Is there anything else you want to do for this person?”
    6. Respond to God’s direction through prayer. 
    7. Invite the person to attend the Holy Spirit class

    Prayers to Receive Holy Spirit Prayer Language:  When praying with people to receive their prayer language, be sure to refrain from the appearance of manipulation or control.  Simply pray for the person to receive their prayer language, or agree with them while they pray.  Do not instruct people with “repeat after me.”  You may, however, ask them to join you while you pray in your prayer language.  Be sure to invite the person to attend a class on the Holy Spirit.

    ANOINTING WITH OIL: 

    Anointing oil is most commonly used for healing ministry and Holy Spirit baptism; however you may anoint with oil as led by the Holy Spirit.

    1. Ask permission before using anointing oil. Explain the use of oil.
    2. Put a drop of oil on your finger.  Touch the person’s forehead or hands.
    3. Do not touch a person’s clothes after you have placed oil on your hands. 

    EMERGENCY & CRISIS SITUATIONS:

    An emergency or crisis situation is one in which there is a threat of harm to self or another:             1.   Threat of Suicide

    • Spousal Abuse
    • Child Abuse
    • Elderly Abuse
    • Sexual Assault
    • Physical Assault
    • Criminal Activity

    If you encounter any of these areas, or another area indicating a threat of harm to self or other, IMMEDIATELY CONTACT A PASTOR OR TEAM LEADER.   While acting immediately, please use a calm demeanor and maintain discretion.  Pastors and team leaders are trained to handle these situations. 

    REFERRAL & FOLLOW-UP PROCEDURES

    Referral

    Always let a pastor know about encounters of salvation and Holy Spirit Baptism.

    Connection Card

    Utilize the ‘Connection Card’ for helping those in need of further ministry.  When needed, encourage people to contact a pastor regarding their personal situation.

    Safety:

    For your safety and well-being, please adhere to the following with people you are praying for who do not attend your group.

    • Never take a person’s personal information home with you.
    • Never give a person your personal information.

    EXAMPLES OF PRAYER

    PRAYERS OF CONFESSION & REPENTANCE:

    The Holy Spirit may convict people to repent of a specific or general sin.  When God convicts people, He does so lovingly and with great compassion.  If people confess a sin, please show great compassion as you lead them in prayers of repentance and renewal. 

    PROPHETIC PRAYERS:

    If you believe that you have a prophetic prayer for someone, please remember that prophecy is intended to exhort and encourage.  In Prayer Ministry, we do not use prophetic ministry as a means for counseling or giving directive advice for the future.  The following guidelines will help:

    Avoid the following phrases:

    • “Thus saith the Lord”
    • “God says”
    • “The Lord wants you to know”
    • “I believe the Lord wants you to …”

    Practice the following phrases:

    • “I feel impressed to tell you …”
    • “I sense that God is saying…”
    • “It seems like …”
    • “I believe you are about to …”

    PHYSICAL HEALING: 

    Prayer for healing is a prayer of faith and trust in God’s good character and nature.  Assume the following when praying for healing:

    • Assume the pain or sickness is NOT a result of sin. NEVER address the situation as such, as well there is no need to investigate further.
    • Assume that healing will occur in God’s perfect timing.  If the results are not immediate, encourage the person to trust in God.
    • If the person desires extended ministry, complete a Connection Card.

    MARRIAGE & FAMILY:

    Families carry many complex dimensions.  In prayer, it is important to be sensitive to the various dimensions within a family structure.  For instance, family members have differing expectations and desires for one another.  Many of these desires are based on opinion, rather than scripture. 

    Be sure to pray the will of the Father, rather than the will of a person.  This is most easily identified when one member of the family has a desire for another family member that involves decision-making – For example: decisions about who to marry, where to move, or what job to take. 

    FORGIVENESS: 

    Forgiveness is God’s provision for releasing us from the power and pain of sins committed against us.

                Sample Prayer:

                Dear Lord, I choose to forgive [name of the person] for [name of the offense]. But Father, when they did these things it made me feel [describe the effects of the sins].  Please take these emotions and effects from me and place them on the cross.  Thank you for healing me from the effects of these sins.

    Other common emotional needs include:  Insecurity, Grief, Regret, Fear, etc.  For these emotional needs, pray a prayer of exchange.   Release the ungodly emotion and in turn bless the person with God’s heart.

    FINANCES: 

    People experience financial strain for various reasons.  For some the situation is a result of bad habits and lack of education.  Others are well-educated, highly proficient individuals who are experiencing a financial struggle due to uncontrollable circumstances.  Please consider the following when praying for financial healing:

    • NEVER ask people if they are tithing.  This is a diagnostic question, and we are not equipped to offer financial advice.  This question also presumes that those who tithe are automatically free from financial hardship – true life is much more complex.
    • Pray God’s blessing and ask for a financial break-through. 
    • Encourage the people with God’s love and faithful provision for life.
    • If further assistance is needed in financial stewardship, let a pastor know
  • Why Start a Group through Your Church?

    Why Start a Group through Your Church?

    You may have started out simply wanting to have people over and talk through scripture or share an activity together.  You want to invite others and have wondered, “Why would I have to jump through so many steps just to have my group become official in my church?”

    Maybe you’re wondering if it’s really worth it. Here are four reasons why going through the process of becoming an official group is a benefit to you and your group.

    1. Support – There are a variety of areas that all leaders – including group leaders need support:
      • Group Dynamics – Find the support to help deal with difficult attenders and sticky situations that come up in all groups.
      • Care – Pastors on staff can offer pastoral counselling and referrals out to long term counsellors and community services.
      • Theological Support – Get the support you need to help answer the difficult questions that you face.
      • Spiritual Support – Obtain an outside voice to help filter what you are sensing to provide balance and direction.
      • Service Options – Get the support to connect your group to a variety of mission options through Central or outside agencies.
    2. Protection – For safety reasons.
      • Legal Protection – You leave yourself open to personal liability when you do it on your own.
      • Spiritual Protection – Accountability and submission are Biblical principles that provide protection and offer you great freedom.
    3. Longevity – Quickstarts can become quick stops.
      • Transition Support – Groups don’t last forever.  As a group leader, where do you send people when you are no longer able to lead?  We have the ability to help you transition your group when that happens.
      • Growth – Our role as leaders is to see people mature so they can help others.  With the long view in mind, we can help you transition and train potential group leaders into new groups.
    4. Community – Become part of something bigger.
      • Connect – grow with other leaders as you learn together
      • Resources – get access to more resources to help serve your group