Chronic Illness Resource

Rest Ministries is a Christian ministry that serves those who live with illness. Rest has tons of programs (HopeKeepers groups in churches) and a huge online community. It also has lots of free articles for reprint. Check it out at www.restministries.org

Saving people from burn-out

After a long and sometimes difficult years of ministry, many are in need of Rejuvenation, Renewal and Revival. For a small group of Philadelphia urban ministers and ministry executives that “Rejuvenation, Renewal and Revival” comes every month at meetings of THE CLERGY COMMITTEE (TCC). TCC is a safe, supportive, and trusting community where members learn to work smarter, are made more effective, and God is glorified. TCC’s monthly meetings provide help and prevention of burn-out through: [1] expert skills development ; [2] peer consultation on personal and ministry-related issues; [3] support, encouragement, and prayer. For information on TCC membership contact David Apple at dapple@tenth.org.

Mercy Ministry Audio

The keynote addresses and workshops from the 2008 MercyNet Conference are now online. To listen go to http://www.citynetphilly.org/.

How to minister to someone with chronic illness

1. Listen, listen, listen. “Don’t talk much,” says Philip Yancey. “Job’s friends sat in silence with him for seven days. But as soon as they opened their mouths, that’s when the trouble started.” And allow them to air their sorrow. “It’s possible to both lament and question in a faithful context,” says Michael Emlet [of CCEF]. “It can be liberating for them to know that they don’t have to suffer in silence before God.”
2. Be physically present. It means so much for you to take the time to visit. Your presence is enormously comforting.
3. Commit to the long haul. Don’t let the sufferer fall off your radar screen after their initial diagnosis. Sustained care demonstrates your commitment to a person with a chronic disease.
4. Find ways to laugh. Friends who love best draw us out of our suffering and help us to see the big picture. Encourage those who are ill to focus on other things, and to laugh. The church needs to show that there can be joy in the midst of tears.
5. Pray beyond healing. It’s important to pray for healing, but it’s also important to pray for endurance, faith, and growth. It’s also helpful to get elders involved in praying for those who suffer–they’re our shepherds.
6. Consider starting a support group at your church. “We’ve seen much comfort and emotional healing for chronic illness sufferers through our church’s pain support group,” said one leader. “There’s hope in seeing how God is helping others going through similar struggles.”

Copyright 2008, all rights reserved, byFaith magazine. This article first appeared in the February 2008 issue of byFaith and is reprinted by permission.