There are many ways that churches could minister to people
with chronic illnesses. The biggest problem we usually encounter is
that since we're unable to attend church very often, we're forgotten
after a while. There are many scriptures in the Bible which talk about
ministring to the sick and indeed churches used to have programs to
shut-ins. Not so much anymore. Everyone is too busy or too distracted
to remember those whose faces they don't see often. This is just a short
list of some ways in which churches can keep the chronically ill and
disabled a part of their body and be helpers to them in other ways.
- Send home taped services, Bible Study materials and other things.
- Give elders lists of shut-ins to call periodically and check up on
us.
- See what can be altered in the church which may make church attendance
possible for some of us. Rides to church, cushions for hard pews, ask
the congregation not to use fragrances or provide a 'cry room' to sit
in.
- Have someone hold a Bible study in their home where we can sit comfortably
and/or without fragrances around. Excuse us if we can't stay too long.
- Get the youth group involved:
- Some of us can't do yardwork and some days can't go shopping.
- Some days we're too ill to cook.
- Those of us with small kids would love to see our kids taken to
the park and other things we can't do with them.
- Other miscellaneous errands and helps.
- Don't forget us on your prayer list. Besides needing healing many
of us are struggling financially and in other ways and appreciate
prayers.
- Perhaps match up 'secret pals' for women who can't attend women's
groups.
- Do similiar for teenagers with chronic illnesses. They really feel
left out of youth groups!
- Don't think disabled men need any less attention than their female
counterparts do. They need friendships too.
- Here's a brand new innovative idea! Send a small group over 'caroling'
in May and bring a hot meal :)
- Share your well aired out books with us. (the inks in new books make
some of us ill)
- Same thing for music and videos.. Between not being able to shop and
limited incomes we often don't get music or movies.
- Be available to us. We need a pastor, prayer warrior, frend, confident
too. Many times no one is available.
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