Preparing Deacons to Minister to People in Need, What to Do

Written by George Clark

Deacons must prepare in advance if they are to minister effectively in traumatic times. Consider these practical examples to help your deacons prepare for ministry:

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The wail of a fire engine shatters the early morning ...
Outside, firefighters are attacking a blaze at a next door neighbor's house. What can you as a deacon do besides join the growing group of gazers who do nothing but gawk and impede the efforts of the fire and rescue personnel?

• You might begin by finding your neighbor and express concern while offering your house as a temporary base of operation where the neighbor can meet some creature comfort needs. A drink of water, the use of a bathroom, a warm blanket, and other such basic resources can be quite important.
• Assist the distressed neighbor in thinking through some practical matters. Ask if there are other family members who need to be reached. Does someone at the fire victim's workplace need to be called? Has the insurance agent whose company lists the house been called?
• A word of caution-don't push! Don't take over. Be supportive at a pace that appears to be acceptable to the victim.

A young single mother with two small children suddenly finds herself without a job ...
She has been working at a convenience store, but due to a decline in business, the manager of the store was forced to let her go. She has rent and utilities to pay and needs someone to take care of her children while she looks for a job. How can you and your church help?

• Perhaps the best place to begin is to explore church benevolence policies and funds available to help persons in situations such as these. A group of deacons or a benevolence committee should make a thorough study of community resources available to help persons in need in both immediate and long-term situations. To be better prepared, do this before an emergency arises.
• One of the best solutions to benevolence needs may be found in a cooperative effort involving a number of churches and other community institutions. Establishing a clearinghouse through which requests for help can be processed is beneficial in avoiding duplication and assuring fair distribution of resources.

An elderly couple has been part of your church for a long time ...
In their younger days, they attended worship services and were an active part of other organizations and activities. Their children have grown up, married, left home, and all live a great distance away. At first, the couple was able to take care of their home, but with the passing of time, their place has become run down. How can you meet their needs?

• Organize a series of upkeep projects, enlisting deacons to help with both one-time and ongoing projects. Encourage the church youth group to make members available to help such a deserving couple.

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A caregiving couple has virtually become prisoners in their own home or a hospital room ...
A dependent parent or a special needs child may literally consume all of their time and energy. The situation may be such that both caregivers can not leave their house or hospital at the same time. Any time they may have together must be shared with the patient. What can you do to minister to the caregivers?

• Organize a group of deacons and their spouses who could make themselves available to occasionally liberate the caregivers. Couples could stay with the dependent for an evening (or more) to allow the caregivers some time away together.

Sooner or later, death will visit every home ...
People are seldom prepared. Shock, disbelief, confusion, and anger all take their place in a bundle of other crippling emotions. How can you be of assistance?

• A thoughtful deacon can often be a first responder to help a surviving spouse begin to deal with the sudden practical demands related to death. Assist surviving family members in thinking through some practical matters. Who needs to be called? What documents will be needed? Are there out-of-the-area relatives whose planes or busses need to be met? What accommodations are needed for those who will be arriving? What about food?

George Clark is former pastor, First Baptist Church, Pleasant View, Tenn., and retired editor of The Deacon, Proclaim, and Church Administration.

This article was adapted from "Ministering to People Dealing with Traumatic Change" in The Deacon Magazine.