DESCRIPTION: Care for and walk alongside persons who are going through a time of particular crisis or need, both within our congregation and in our wider community, in such a way that truly helps them to be restored to all that God intends for them as those who bear His image. This requires a team that is willing and eager to serve primarily through building relationships with people who are broken, and in need of transformation (see survey Q8-12). Given the needs that exist within our community, the particular gifting of the members of the body, and the resources that we have available, we see this as a primary outreach avenue for the church.
LEADER: S. Yount / D. Hina (direction / motivation).
MEMBERS: Geoff & Dale Grubb, Keith & Ellie Hendricks, Steve Yount, David Hina.
GUIDELINES / ACTIVITIES:
Training.Ensure that each member of the team is well equipped for the work they will be doing.
Suggest each team member read the book "Helping Without Hurting in Church Benevolence," by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert, which focuses on a process of healing people's true brokenness rather than simply giving handouts (see survey Q10: response #18). Suggest making sure there is an understanding of the core concepts outlined in ch. 1.
Suggest each team member receive training in the processes being used by Providence to address mercy needs
Suggest that an assessment be made for "special skills" that may be required (e.g. instructing in money management and personal budgeting, leading one-on-one Bible studies, etc.), and that certain members of the team are designated to serve in those ways
Mercy assistance.Ensure ongoing mercy assistance is provided to those in need, through longer-term relationships, seeking to truly meet both spiritual and material needs
Ensure the team evaluates requests, and uses the Mercy Fund to assist church members who need assistance during personal financial crises
Ensure that the team constantly has an eye out to discover specific needs that church members might have, with special attention to those members who live alone and who have physical challenges (e.g. help with yard work, with cleaning, with transportation, etc.).
Suggest there be a specific process for tracking these needs, once observed and validated, and for finding members of the congregation to assist with taking care of the needs.
Ensure the majority of assistance provided to individuals and families consist of that which truly addresses their underlying brokenness, rather than simply providing temporary aid through financial assistance.
Ensure, in working with those outside the church receiving mercy assistance, that a top goal is to move them toward membership in either Providence, or another Bible-believing local church, so that the discipleship process can continue.
Ensure that, for those outside the church, a plan or process is agreed upon, documented, and consistently used for screening requests for assistance, for determining the type and level of assistance that will be provided, for developing an individualize plan, and for tracking progress against the plan.
Suggest the team consider using some variation of the intake and tracking processes outlined in chap. 4 of "Helping Without Hurting in Church Benevolence"
Suggest that a key criteria in the decision to continue (or begin) providing mercy assistance to an individual or family, is that they are willing and ready for change in their lives.
Suggest that a key criteria in the decision to continue (or begin) providing mercy assistance to an individual or family, is that they are willing and ready to work together with the Mercy Team, and to contribute toward the goals outlined.
Suggest, in working with those receiving mercy assistance, that one or more team members meet with them regularly (usually weekly) to establish goals, provide direction (e.g. establish a budget), assess desire for change, lead in a Bible study, etc.
Suggest that at monthly meetings, the team review the status of each family or individual receiving assistance, with the goal of moving them closer to wholeness in all areas, with an emphasis in everything on their relationship with Christ.
Suggest the Mercy Team work with the Outreach Team to figure out the best way(s) to receive the type of families/individuals who are ready for change in their lives, and therefore who will most benefit from our mercy assistance (e.g. the team could decide that one main pool of candidates will be those who graduate from the "Renewed Hope" recovery program)
Suggest the team maintain an up-to-date list of community resources that can be used to help families (e.g. food pantries, counseling resources, etc.)
Suggest the team work with the Hospitality Team to request and schedule meals for delivery to families/individuals both inside and outside the church, as the need arises
Suggest that the team intentionally seeks out ways to involve the families of the church (especially involving children and youth) in the process of providing mercy assistance
MNA (Mission to North America) Disaster recovery.Ensure Providence evaluates requests for support of MNA Disaster Response efforts, and leads the church in responding to those requests as deemed appropriate.
Suggest the leader of the team signs up for MNA Disaster Response update/request emails, and distributes them to the team.
Suggest the team evaluates each disaster response request as they are made by MNA, and decides the level and type of support (e.g. financial provision, direct member involvement on location, etc.), if any
Suggest the team takes the lead with involving the people of the church, as needed
Manage the Deacon's Mercy Fund.Ensure the proper management of financial resources that provide Providence mercy ministry support, to include regular reporting to the congregation on how people are being helped through the Mercy Ministry.
Suggest reminding the congregation each month about special "Mercy Giving" occasions (currently scheduled for the first Sunday of each month, although announcements are rarely made today). This could be done using the church email, through announcements before the service, or both.
Suggest putting out regular communication (once every two or three months?) listing ways that the Mercy fund is being used (e.g. Helped a couple with getting an apartment), using either the bulletin or the Providence Newsletter (once available)
Suggest one of the members of the Mercy Team use a "Ministry Minute" periodically (once every few months?), during the worship service, to provide an update on some aspect of Mercy Ministry
Suggest the team designate individuals who will be able to write checks to provide for needs, and who will work with the church treasurer as needed to watch over the status of the mercy fund
Sharing with the church.Ensure that the congregation is made aware of the initiatives that the MMT is working and planning, areas of progress, and any specific prayer requests.
Suggest that, perhaps twice a year, the congregation be given a short, verbal update by making use of a "Ministry Minute" during the Worship Service.
Suggest that specific efforts, areas that might require volunteers or involvement from members of the congregation, and other initiatives from the MMT of particular interest, be provided to the congregation through the (planned) newsletter. (Admin Asst. item)
Budget Requests. Ensure a budget is established annually for Mercy Ministry, as input to the budget process (Financial Team to provide submission timeframe).
Discussion: Although the majority of the budget for the Mercy Team will come through a separate mercy offering, there will likely be costs that should be provided through the General Fund, since the Mercy Fund is specifically for providing help to individuals.