- Churches want to minister and reach out.
- Needs that are specific , manageable, and legitimate net the most effective results for volunteers and recipients alike.
- A consistent follow-up process helps church leaders, staff of community agencies, and those in need evaluate the helping process.
- Churches will work together when the shared focus is ministering to people instead of denominational affiliation, race, economic base, or location.
- More than money, the core of effective Christian ministry within the community is building relationships with people. Christian caring penetrates to the roots of people’s need for self-respect, confidence, living skills, friendship, and hope.
- Using the Love INC model to provide volunteer time, skills, and material resources costs a congregation and community far less than equivalent services provided through agencies.
- Pastors and agencies value the support of Love INC’s screening and placement services. Eliminates chronic over-users, non-legitimate requests, and unnecessary duplication of care options.
- Ministering to those in need is an integral element of evangelism.
Any thoughts, questions, or push backs from the learnings above?
I agree that people sitting in the pews on Sunday mornings genuinely care and most would be willing to serve in their passion and gift areas if they knew specifically how and where to do that. A lot of time it is just the facilitation to match need with resource that is needed.
ReplyDeleteI also believe that the greatest need is relationship, and that will be the ongoing challenge for Love INC...to lead with relationships rather than resources. Relationships will make the difference between charity and the development/transformation of the people involved.
Hi Laura...
ReplyDeleteI went to college in Grand Rapids, MI so remember hearing about Love INC there! A possible partner would be the Cedar Valley Volunteer Center in Waterloo and the director there, Lauren Pelleymounter - do you know her? They have a huge focus on getting youth involved in service along with adults and businesses & already serve more than 50 organizations in the area. Just a thought! :)
Stephanie, thanks for the information. Lauren Pelleymounter has been wonderful to work with for Love Cedar Valley and for a few Orchard times of serving in the community. The Volunteer Center seems to have a real good handle on helping to organize matches between agencies/organizations and volunteers. Thanks again!
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