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David W. Ensley ==================== |
A Handbook for Nursing
Home Ministry - Fifth Edition Section
One
The Call to the ChurchGreetings in the Name of Jesus Christ. Christian Concourse Ministries is honored to bring to you this tool to assist you in your ministry to the residents of our local care facilities. We invite you and your church to use this handbook as a resource to improve your service in this important field of ministry. Nursing home ministry is not an option for the Church of Jesus Christ. The call comes from the teaching of our Master Himself: And the King shall answer and say unto them, “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25: 40 (KJV) Yes, there are many legitimate areas to which the local congregation may direct its resources and energies . . . but there is a universally accepted responsibility for the strong to see to the care of the weak in their own natural family; how much more so for our spiritual kin? The hard, cold reality is that there are many lonely Christian brothers and sisters in care facilities who are neglected and forgotten by the Family of Faith. In some facilities, as many as 60% of the residents never have a friend or family member come to see them! How will we answer God in the last day if we ignore these facts while we enjoy His gift of good health and independence lavished on us daily? This handbook is our invitation to you and your fellowship to help in meeting the volunteer needs of these precious saints. Financial provision is made for their shelter, their medical needs, and some meaningful activities – but no amount of money can buy them a friend who will share with them in their faith in Christ. It won’t happen . . . until someone like you walks voluntarily into their lonely room. And what of that elderly resident waiting with a heart opened by the suffering and the loss of passing time, who does not know our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? . . . . Will you go, . . . one hour a month? Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. James 1: 27 (KJV) Thank you for your interest in this field of Christian service. For all Christian believers of all persuasions within the Body of Christ, we gladly, freely, place this handbook at your disposal. And, on behalf of the thousands of residents of our local care facilities, we invite you to read on. Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2004 by Christian Concourse Ministries, Inc., 1543 Norcova Ave., Norfolk, VA 23502 Ph.: 757-714-3133. All rights reserved.
This Handbook Presented
to the Interdenominational Church by Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2004 by Christian Concourse Ministries, Inc. Conditions for Duplication of this Document |