God's Simple Program
To Win The World

Introduction

`I cannot too strongly urge all our church members, all who are true missionaries, all who believe the third angel's message, all who turn away their feet from the Sabbath, to consider the message of the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. The work of beneficence [charity] enjoined in this chapter is the work that God requires His people to do at this time. It is a work of His own appointment.' (WM33)

`Again I urge you to consider Isaiah 58, which opens a wide and extensive vineyard to be worked upon the lines which the Lord has pointed out. When this is done there will be an increase of moral sources and the church will no more remain stationary. There will be blessing and power attending their labor. The selfishness that has bound up their souls they have overcome, and now their light is being given to the world in clear, bright rays of living faith and godly example. The Lord has His promises for all who will do His requirements.' (4BC1148)

`The leprosy of selfishness has taken hold of the church. The Lord Jesus Christ will heal the church of this terrible disease if she will be healed. The remedy is found in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah.' (CS85)

The promises that are bound up in the above three statements assure us that if we follow God's directive, success is guaranteed.

God's Prescription For a Finished Work

Lying in the very bosom of our wonderful truth is the great hope that Jesus is soon coming to take His children home. We dream about it, we preach it, we speculate about it and, in accordance with our mandate, we make every effort to tell others about it. And so it should be, for who can restrain himself from being excited about that day when our Maker and Best Friend comes to take us home?

Yet, as much as we would like the Lord to come tomorrow, there are a few facts relative to His coming that we must come to terms with.

Firstly we need to realise that we, as a church, have delayed the Lord's coming.

`Had the church done her appointed work as the Lord ordained, the whole world would before this have been warned, and the Lord Jesus would have come to our earth in power and glory.' (Maranatha p.19)

`If the people of God had preserved a living connection with Him, if they had obeyed His Word, they would today be in the heavenly Canaan.' (Evangelism p.694)

This means that the world has long been bad enough for Jesus to come but, sadly, the church has never quite been "good" enough.

Secondly, we must realise that we have been given a work to do. If we do this work, we will hasten the coming of Jesus, if we do not do this work, we will continue to delay the Lord's coming . . .

`We may have to remain here in this world because of insubordination many more years, as did the children of Israel; but . . . by giving the gospel to the world it is in our power to hasten our Lord's return.' (Ev696)

And so it is that this document does not focus on the time of Jesus coming, but on the work that now lies before us - the work that God has entrusted to us - the work that we are to do in order to hasten His coming.

`God has committed to us a special work, a work that no other people can do. He has promised us the aid of His Holy Spirit. The heavenly current is flowing earthward for the accomplishment of the very work appointed us. Let not this heavenly current be turned aside by our deviations from the straightforward path marked out by Christ.' (6T244)

`I cannot too strongly urge all our church members, all who are true missionaries, all who believe the third angel's message, all who turn away their feet from [desecrating] the Sabbath, to consider the message of the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. The work of beneficence enjoined in this chapter is the work that God requires His people to do at this time. It is a work of His own appointment.' (WM33)

`I have been instructed to refer our people to the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. Read this chapter carefully and understand the kind of ministry that will bring life into the churches. The work of the gospel is to be carried by means of our liberality as well as by our labors. When you meet suffering souls who need help, give it to them. In doing this, you will be working in lines of Christ's ministry. The Master's holy work was a benevolent work. Let our people everywhere be encouraged to have a part in it.' (WM29)

`The work specified in these words [Isaiah 58] is the work God requires His people to do. It is a work of God's own appointment. With the work of advocating the commandments of God and repairing the breach that has been made in the law of God, we are to mingle compassion for suffering humanity. We are to show supreme love to God; we are to exalt His memorial, which has been trodden down by unholy feet; and with this we are to manifest mercy, benevolence, and the tenderest pity for the fallen race. As a people we must take hold of this work. Love revealed for suffering humanity gives significance and power to the truth.' (WM32)

It is our humble belief that this document provides not only the motivation for us to get involved in the simple, practical work that God is asking us to get involved in, but it also outlines an effective method of turning the challenge of Isaiah Chapter 58 into a workable programme that can involve the entire church, hasten Jesus' return, and rapidly expand our church membership - easily, effectively, and economically.

Spiritual Counsels

At the present time the church is meeting with limited success as a result of our sending all sorts of things out to the world - books, tracts, radio & satellite broadcasts, televised transmissions, invitations to attend seminars etcetera. All of these activities are good, and they certainly have their place in God's armory, but  Jesus said, `even so, I send you.' (John 20:21)

Clearly, we cannot sit back and hope that our "evangelistic tools" will finish the work, for God has called on each one of us to get involved on a personal level.

(1) `Go! I am sending you . . .' (Luke 10:3)

(2) `Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.' (Mark 5:19)

(3) `Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.' (Mark 16:15, 16)

(4) `Go . . . and tell the people the full message of this new life.' (Acts 5:20)

Through the media, through tracts and through seminars, the world can only hear that God is love, but through our own personal ministry to the needs of others, the world is able to see that God is love - and that He is alive and living in the hearts of His children. Hence our commission from Jesus . . .

`Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds.' (Matthew 5:16)

And, ultimately, it is what the world sees of Jesus in us that is going to have the greatest impact upon the world, for . . .

`The church illuminates the world, not by their profession of godliness, but by their manifestation of the transforming, sanctifying power of the truth on life and character.' (1SM133)

`We are witnesses for God as we reveal in ourselves the working of a power that is divine.' (DA347)

Our Work Today

Ok, so we are willing to be sent, where do we go from here?

`There is a great work to be done. How shall we reveal Christ? I know of no better way . . . than to take hold of medical missionary work in connection with the ministry.' (MM319)

`Let companies now be quickly organized to go out two and two, and labour in the Spirit of Christ, following His plans.' (MM303)

`The followers of Christ are to labor as he did. We are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and comfort the sorrowing and afflicted. We are to minister to the despairing, and inspire hope in the hopeless.' (DA350)

`In every large city there should be corps of organized, well-disciplined workers; not merely one or two, but scores should be set to work.' (MM300/1)

What is Medical Missionary Work?

`It should be noted that a careful study of the Ellen G. White writings reveals that the phrase ``medical missionary work'' is employed by the author to include professional services of consecrated doctors and nurses, and that its significance also reaches far beyond these bounds to include all acts of mercy and disinterested kindness.' (The EGW Trustees, WM10)

God's Promise

`We shall see the medical missionary work broadening and deepening at every point of its progress, because of the inflowing of hundreds and thousands of streams until the whole earth is covered as the waters cover the sea.' [Streams = blessings; see Isaiah 44:3, 4] (MM317)

`When the cities are worked as God would have them, the result will be the setting in operation of a mighty movement such as we have not yet witnessed.' (MM304)

The Cities Today

`Thousands of people in our cities are left in darkness, and Satan is well pleased with the delay; for the delay gives him opportunity to work in these fields with men of influence to further his plans.' (MM302)

`All around us we see want and suffering. Families are in need of food; little ones are crying for bread. In these cities there are multitudes of human beings who do not receive as much care and consideration as are given to the brutes. There are thousands of wretched children, ragged and half-starved, with vice and depravity written on their faces. Families are herded together in miserable tenements. Children are born in these miserable places.' (WM188)

The Nature of the Work

`Make Christ's work your example. Constantly He went about doing good - feeding the hungry and healing the sick. No one who came to Him for sympathy was disappointed. The commander of the heavenly courts, He was made flesh and dwelt among us, and His lifework is an example of the work we are to do.

`He went from house to house, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, comforting the mourners, soothing the afflicted, speaking peace to the distressed . . . He was willing to humble Himself, to deny Himself. Christ stands before us as a pattern man, the great Medical Missionary and example for all who should come after.' (WM53)

`By our churches there is a work to be done of which many have little idea, a work as yet almost untouched. ``I was an hungered,'' Christ says, ``and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in: naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me.'' Some think that if they give money to this work, it is all they are required to do, but this is an error. Donations of money cannot take the place of personal ministry. It is right to give our means, and many more should do this; but according to their strength and opportunities, personal service is required of all.' (WM189)

Helping Others To Help Themselves

`Those who have talents and capabilities must use these gifts to bless their fellow men, laboring to place them upon a footing where they can help themselves.' (WM195)

`If they [the homeless and the unemployed] ever become industrious and self-supporting, very many must have assistance, encouragement, and instruction. . . . Imbruted souls, bodies weak and ill-formed, reveal the results of evil heredity and of wrong habits. These people must be educated from the foundation. They have led shiftless, idle, corrupt lives, and they need to be trained to correct habits.' (WM197)

The Church's Great Need

`This is the special work before us [Isaiah 58:5-11 quoted]. All our praying and abstinence from food will avail nothing unless we resolutely lay hold of this work. Sacred obligations are resting upon us. Our duty is plainly stated. The Lord has spoken to us by His prophet. The prophet is addressing Sabbath-keepers, not sinners, not unbelievers, but those who make great pretensions to godliness. It is not the abundance of your meetings that God accepts. It is not the numerous prayers, but the right-doing, doing the right thing at the right time. It is to be less self-caring and more benevolent. Our souls must expand. Then God will make them like a watered garden, whose waters fail not.' (2T34, 36)

God's Plan for Today

`[a] Laboring for the degraded and fallen is not to be made the principal and all-important line. This work is to be combined with the work of [b] instructing the churches. Our people are to be taught how to help the needy and outcast.' (8T160)

`God calls for thousands to work for Him, not by preaching to those who know the truth, going over and over the same ground, but by warning those who have never heard the last message of mercy. Work, with an earnest longing for souls. Do medical missionary work. Thus you will gain access to the hearts of the people. The way will be prepared for more decided proclamation of the truth. You will find that relieving their physical suffering gives you opportunity to minister to their spiritual needs.

`The Lord will give you success in this work; for the gospel is the power of God unto salvation when it is interwoven with the practical life, when it is lived and practiced. The union of Christlike work for the body and Christlike work for the soul is the true interpretation of the gospel.' (ML224)

`God has placed in our care the poor and the suffering, and these are to be cared for as Christ cared for them. The Lord would have this work done in the different churches, rather than that these unfortunate ones should depend so largely upon institutions; for this will take out of the hands of the churches the very work God has appointed them to do.' (MS105, 1899)

`The word of God abounds with instruction as to how we should treat the widow, the fatherless, and the needy, suffering poor. If all would obey this instruction, the widow's heart would sing for joy; hungry little children would be fed; the destitute would be clothed; and those ready to perish would be revived. Heavenly intelligences are looking on, and when, imbued with zeal for Christ's honor, we place ourselves in the channel of God's providence, these heavenly messengers will impart to us a new spiritual power, so that we shall be able to combat difficulties and triumph over obstacles.' (WM231)

God's Legacy to His Church

`The work that Christ requires of them is not to be done by proxy, placing on some committee or some institution the burden that they themselves should bear. They are to become Christlike in character by giving of their means and time, their sympathy, their personal effort, to help the sick, to comfort the sorrowing, to relieve the poor, to encourage the desponding, to enlighten souls in darkness, to point sinners to Christ, to bring home to hearts the obligation of God's law.' (6T263/4)

`The people of God are in need of opportunities that draw out their sympathies, give efficiency to their prayers, and develop in them a character like that of the divine pattern.

`It is to provide these opportunities that God has placed among us the poor, the unfortunate, the sick, and the suffering [wow?]. They are Christ's legacy to His church, and they are to be cared for as He would care for them. In this way God takes away the dross and purifies the gold, giving us that culture of heart and character which we need.' (6T261)

[Please notice that the unfortunate, the sick and the suffering have been placed upon this earth for the benefit of God's children - that our characters might be developed as we tend to their needs. What a crime against humanity, therefore, should we take them for granted.]

God's Word is Sure

`The piety and advanced spiritual knowledge and growth of a church is proportionate to the zeal, piety, and missionary intelligence that has been brought into it, and carried out of it to be a blessing to the very ones who need our assistance the most.

`When the church accepts its God-given work, the promise is: ``Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; and the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.'' ' (WM34)

Finances

As we draw nearer to the end, we know that trade unions will bring industry to a halt, and that money will lose its value. This being the case, our end-time mission cannot depend on finances, or on manufactured goods. The gifts that God has given us to give to the world are priceless - and they are free. Thus it is that God has ensured that the state of the future economy will not in any way hamper the special mission of His church.

We need to bear in mind that the church is rich in human resources, and rich in knowledge as to how to meet the desperate `non-material' needs of the community. More than this, the community is crumbling, not so much because of a lack of material needs, but because of a lack of morals, guidance, friendship, knowledge and the light, joy, compassion, refreshing, and love that God imparts to His children for the upliftment of others.

The Lord's servant was inspired to write about marriage, about health, about minds and characters and bodies, about caring for the lonely, the sick and the aged, about personal relationships, about education, child guidance, and ministries for young people. This is the vital knowledge that God wants us to share with the world.

While money has any value, however, God will supply the material needs of the ministry and we can move out in love and faith. We do not have to wait for finances to become available before embarking on our mission.

`A fuller sense of God's relationship to those whom He has purchased with the gift of His Son, a greater faith in the onward progress of His cause on earth - this is the great need of the church today. Let none waste time in deploring the scantiness of their visible resources. The outward appearance may be unpromising, but energy and trust in God will develop resources.' (PK243)

`He who owns the world is rich in resources, and will bless everyone who is seeking to bless others.' (MH200)

`When the poor have done all they can to advance the cause, the Lord will bring in men of means to carry on the work.' (GW92.298)

The Challenge

`The end is near, stealing upon us stealthily, imperceptibly, like the noiseless approach of a thief in the night. May the Lord grant that we shall no longer sleep as do others, but that we shall watch and be sober.

`The truth is soon to triumph gloriously [because it will be lived and not merely professed], and all who now choose to be laborers together with God will triumph with it. The time is short; the night soon cometh when no man can work. Let those who are rejoicing in the light of present truth now make haste to impart the truth to others. (9T135)

When Jesus invited us to follow Him, it is clear that He intended that we should not only follow Him to church once a week, but also follow Him into the homes of the destitute, the lonely and the needy.

`Christ came to this earth to walk and work among the poor and suffering.' (7T226)

`He lived to minister to the needs and lighten the woes of men.' (GC20)

`From His earliest years He was possessed of one purpose; He lived to bless others.' (DA70)

`So full of sympathy and love was His attitude that the poorest were not afraid to come to Him. He was kind to all, easily approached by the most lowly. He went from house to house, treating the sick, feeding the hungry, comforting the mourners, soothing the afflicted, speaking peace to the distressed.' (WM170)

`When He whom angels worshipped, He who was rich in honor, splendour, and glory, came to the earth, and found Himself in fashion as a man, He did not plead His refined nature as an excuse to hold Himself aloof from the unfortunate. In His work He was found among the afflicted, the poor, the distressed, and needy ones. Christ was the embodiment of refinement and purity; His was an exalted life and character; yet in His labor He was found not among men of high-sounding titles, not among the most honourable of this world, but with the despised and needy. I came, says the divine teacher, ``to save that which was lost.'' Yes; the Majesty of heaven was ever found working to help those who most needed help.' (2T467)

Motivation

`When one is allied to Christ, a partaker of the divine nature, his interest is identified with that of all suffering humanity. As we look aright at the cross of Calvary, every nerve of heart and brain will thrill in sympathy for the human misery in all parts of the world.' (WM 296.5)

`In such a time as this, every child of God should be actively engaged in helping others.' (PK171)

`From the anointed ones that stand in God's presence the fullness of divine light and love and power is imparted to His people, that they may impart to others light and joy and refreshing. Those who are thus enriched are to enrich others with the treasure of God's love.' (PK594)

`To take people right where they are, whatever their position, whatever their condition, and help them in every way possible, -this is gospel ministry.' (MM238)

`By visiting the people, talking, praying, sympathizing with them, you will win hearts. This is the highest missionary work that you can do.' (9T41)

`God has placed you in a world of suffering to prove you, to see if you will be worthy of the gift of eternal life.' (3T530)

`To everyone who offers himself to the Lord for service, withholding nothing, is given power for the attainment of measureless results. For these God will do great things. He will work upon the minds of men so that, even in this world, there shall be seen in their lives a fulfillment of the promise of the future state.' (WM160)

Pre-Preparation

`Before the disciples could fulfill their official duties in connection with the church, Christ breathed His Spirit on them. He was committing to them a most sacred trust, and He desired to impress them with the fact that without the Holy Spirit this work could not be accomplished.' (DA805)

`If we would see the work of God prosper we must have Christ dwelling in us, we must work the works of Christ.' (4T290)

`The power of love was in all Christ's healing, and only by partaking of that love, through faith, can we be instruments for His work.' (DA825)

A Simple, Practical Programme

Having considered the foregoing spiritual counsels, we can have no doubt in our minds as to the nature of the work that God would have us do. We are convinced that this type of work will play a major role in the revealing of God's true character to the world, and in bringing the earth to it's final hour.

`By beholding the goodness, the mercy, the justice, and the love of God in His church, the world is to have a representation of His character.' (CT321)

We humbly submit the following programme for the consideration of all who would like to walk in the footsteps of the Master - either as individuals or as an organized group.

Programme Name

As far as the programme name is concerned, we have clear counsel that in a work such as this we should not operate under the name of the church but under "some other name:"

`To those who have been engaged in this work I would say: Continue to work with tact and ability. Arouse your associates to work under some name whereby they may be organized to co-operate in harmonious action. Get the young men and women in the churches to work.' (6T267)

Suggested Name: Care Unlimited

Who Should Get Involved?

`Those who have the spiritual oversight of the church should devise ways and means by which an opportunity may be given to every member of the church to act some part in God's work . . . In their planning they are to give special study to the work that can be done by the laity for their friends and neighbours.' (9T116/117)

Approach

`He reached the hearts of people by going among them as one who desired their good. He sought them in the public streets, in private houses, on the boats, in the synagogue, by the shores of the lake, and at the marriage feast. He met them at their daily vocations, and manifested an interest in their secular affairs. He carried His instruction into the household, bringing families in their own homes under the influence of His divine presence. His strong personal sympathy helped to win hearts.' (DA151)

`In order to reach all classes, we must meet them where they are. They will seldom seek us of their own accord.' (DA152)

`Let two or more start out together in evangelistic work. Let them visit the people, praying, singing, explaining the Scriptures, and ministering to the sick.' (WM154)

Guidelines From Scripture

Job's Example

`I was eyes to the blind, and I was feet to the lame. I was a father to the poor, and I searched out the case that I did not know.' (Job 29:15,16, NKJV)

Jesus' Example

Jesus lived to search out the needy and to satisfy their needs, but, as we notice from his dealings with the woman at the well, He was most tactful in His approach.

`When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, ``Will you give me a drink?'' (John 4:7)

`With the tact born of Divine love He asked, not offered a favor. The offer of a kindness might have been rejected; but trust awakens trust.' (DA183.4)

Strategy

In the light of the above, and considering the examples of Jesus and Job, we conclude that we are on safe ground if we include in our strategy the following points:

(1) Our primary focus should not be so much on the material but more on the spiritual, social and family needs of the community.

(2) The programme should aim at getting every member of the church involved in their own community - and especially the young people.

(3) We should operate under `some other name.'

(4) We should search out the needy people in our communities.

(5) We should ask those we approach to help us - rather than offer to help them.

Phase 1 - Scouting

Needs Survey

Needs surveys often meet with limited success because people are so often loathe to share their personal needs with strangers. In this case, however, we do not attempt to directly establish what the needs of individuals are, but to get this information from their friends, family and acquaintances. Approaching people in this way will not only enable us to isolate those individuals and families who are in need, but also to solicit the support of those who brought the needs of others to our attention.

The idea is to have individuals in the church volunteer as scouts. These individuals will then team up, two-by-two, and approach anyone at shopping centers, sports grounds, in the streets and even in their homes. Armed only with a large "Care Unlimited" lapel badge, a certificate that includes a recent photograph, big smiles, and a thin file [because briefcases scare people], teams should go out two-by-two and approach people using the following introduction.

Hello, my name is ........... and this is my friend ............ - we were hoping that you could help us? We know that there are many people who need help in this community. Care Unlimited [point to your badge] has specially trained counselors who are able to help these people. Do you know of any poor, lonely, unemployed, or needy people in this community?

Now remain silent until he or she responds. If no response is forthcoming, continue as follows:

You do not have to get involved in this program, and you will not be asked to donate money - and we assure you that we will never pass on your name to anyone, but do you know of anyone who is desperate for help?

Once they have responded, enter their details on a Community Needs Survey sheet.

With that introduction a skilled team of scouts will be able to collect the names of dozens of needy people and families in just a few hours a week. This is a wonderful way to spend a Sabbath afternoon.

`God does not hold him guiltless who stays his hand from relieving suffering on the Sabbath day. The holy Sabbath was made for man and acts of mercy and benevolence are always in order on this day.' (2SP163)

Phase 2 - Servicing of Needs

Training

Long before the needs survey takes place, church members will be asked to indicate what type of need they would like to be trained to serve. Volunteers will then be formed into groups with a group leader being appointed to co-ordinate all training and nurturing that will be necessary prior to the needy being visited.

Some groups will be larger than others, but at all times visitation should only be undertaken in teams of two as larger groups tend to frighten people.

`When Christ sent forth His disciples on their missionary tour, He sent them out two-by-two. This is the Lord's plan.' (15MR59)

We envisage teams being trained in every church in each of the following needs groupings: The lonely, single parents, the unemployed and the poor, those experiencing marriage difficulties, the sick, the bereaved, the handicapped, the heartbroken, the homeless, drug addicts, alcoholics.

Eventually we hope that training manuals for each of the above services will be produced to assist teams in their preparation, but in the meantime, all we need is hearts that really care, and God will get us there.

Approach

At this point, we are armed with the details of those in the community who are in need, and we have been reasonably prepared for the task that lies ahead - a task which really only amounts to being willing to be a friend to someone in need.

The million-dollar question is how to approach the people that the scouts were referred to - those who have a need. The answer is to approach them as though you do not know that they have a need . . . Remembering Jesus' example with the woman at the well, we should ask the needy to help us, rather than offer to help them.

The way to do this is simply to approach them in exactly the same way as our "scouts" approached strangers at the shopping centers etc - see above.

Pretending all the while that we are unaware of their plight, we should ask the needy to help us by supplying us with the details of people whom they know to be in need - and this will certainly prove to be the most fruitful source of leads.

Throughout the conversation, however, we will be looking for opportunities to lead the conversation to the discussion of their personal plight. In many cases these individuals will volunteer this information.

From this point on, all it takes is to be genuinely concerned about others and this programme will grow and grow and grow.

Nurturing

Once we know the needs of the various people, our task is to plan various strategies to enable us to meet their needs. The following are but a few ideas. We invite you to contribute to this programme by sharing your own ideas with us . . .

In each instance, a needy case is to be assigned to a team of two. This team will then make contact and keep contact with the needy person or family. Depending on the circumstances, the whole idea is not only to help people to solve their problems but also to be their friend, to phone them occasionally, to invite them to gatherings, and to visit them from time to time.

Now, instead of looking for ways and means of entertaining ourselves, we will be constantly on the lookout for ways and means of entertaining and making contact with our needy cases. Now we will go out of our way to invite visiting speakers to our church so that we can phone our needy friends, pick them up from their homes, and bring them down to the hall to enjoy refreshments, listen to a guest speaker, watch a video, or to participate in whatever else has been arranged.

In all cases below, words of encouragement from the Spirit of Prophecy will be found at the website www.friendswhocare.org.

Nurturing The Lonely

(1) Plan a church film show, picnic, or gathering and invite them to attend.

(2) Invite them to a community lunch or dinner.

(3) Once you have established the interests of your lonely cases, introduce them to others who have similar interests.

Nurturing Single Parents

(1) Invite a speaker who is trained in this area and invite all single parents to attend.

(2) Start a club for single parents.

(3) Put single parents in touch with each other.

Nurturing The Unemployed and The Poor

(1) Start a sowing club to help the unemployed females to earn an income.

(2) Start a small brick manufacturing or concrete slab manufacturing plant to help unemployed males to earn an income.

(3) Train the unemployed in the sale of health foods - which are available for this purpose to all SDA churches at wholesale less 15%. Contact Debbie at Nature's Choice - (016) 362 2542.

(4) Having established the birth dates of family members on the first call, one member can be assigned to phoning the needy on their birthday, or a small gift may be dropped off at the home by one of the teams.

Nurturing Those Experiencing Marriage Difficulties

(1) Arrange talks by suitably qualified persons

(2) The gospel is the answer to most marriage problems - invite them to spiritually based talks on marriage.

(3) Invite them to a suitable film show

(4) Deliver suitable reading materials to their home

Nurturing The sick

(1) Knowledge is the great need of the sick - invite them to health talks by suitably qualified persons.

(2) Invite them to consider a few websites such as www.keepwell.com, or www.medical-library.net.

(3) Distribute copies of the Disease-Free book to the sick and their families. Bulk discounts on this inexpensive book are available from Nature's Choice.

(3) Share a video or flip chart talk with them in their home.

(4) Invite them to cooking classes

(5) Invite them home for a healthy meal

Nurturing The Bereaved

(1) The bereaved always have many loose ends to tie up as far as estates and finance are concerned. It is a trying time for them, not only because of the loss of a loved one, but also because of the many responsibilities that they are suddenly faced with. Watch the newspaper and make a cold call on the homes of bereaved individuals using the standard scouting approach.

(2) Offer to drive them to town as they visit lawyers, undertakers etc.

(3) Deliver a suitable tract to their home

(4) Keep the Blessed Hope ever before their eyes

(5) Follow up as you would for a lonely person

Nurturing The Handicapped

(1) Most handicapped people are already under the care of a home or a qualified nurse. All activities should be planned in conjunction with these persons.

(2) The handicapped love to go for drives or for outings and seldom do because it is so often very inconvenient - especially if they are incontinent.

(3) More than anything, the handicapped need friends - people who speak to them normally and act in their presence in a relaxed manner. (But please do not start a friendship unless you are committed to maintain that friendship - handicapped people get very emotionally involved and we do not want to add broken hearts to their already considerable burden.)

Nurturing The Heartbroken

The heartbroken need friends and diversion. Nothing but God's love can mend a broken heart, but we can do much to keep their minds from lingering on their loss.

(1) Invite the heartbroken to every function that you can.

(2) Invite them to spend the day with you

(3) Invite them to church - at this time they are usually favourably disposed to being introduced to a Love that will never let them go.

Nurturing The Homeless

Here is the true test of Christian character. The homeless need shelter and if there is nowhere else for them to go, God expects us to open our doors. In time to come many will be homeless and we will have to give up on the idea that Christianity does not involve a cross.

`Years ago I was shown that God's people would be tested upon this point of making homes for the homeless; that there would be many without homes in consequence of their believing the truth. Opposition and persecution would deprive believers of their homes, and it was the duty of those who had homes to open a wide door to those who had not. I have been shown more recently that God would specially test His professed people in reference to this matter. Shall those who are subjects of His grace, who are expecting to be heirs of immortality, refuse, or even feel reluctant, to share their homes with the homeless and needy?' (2T27)

Children's Backup Ministry

Children should always be invited to join teams of two on their visitation rounds but we should also encourage our kids to nurture the needy. Here are a few ideas:

Telephone Promises:

This should be well-rehearsed by children before making the actual call - but it goes down very well. The younger the caller, the greater the impression it leaves. It is not necessary for the needy to know that the child is connected to the church or to Care Unlimited. In fact, the more mysterious the call, the greater the impact it will have on the person receiving the call.

`Those who are fighting the battle of life at great odds may be strengthened and encouraged by little attentions that cost only a loving effort.' (WM158)

Introduction: 

Hello, is that Mrs Brown? [Yes] Oh, hi Mrs Brown, this is Jeannie Smith speaking. How are you today? [I'm fine thanks] Mrs Brown I just phoned to share a promise from the Bible with you. This promise is found in . . . May I read this promise to you? [Yes you may].

After reading the promise, the child may conclude as follows.

Mrs Brown, thank you for allowing me to talk to you. Please remember that Jesus gave this promise just for you. He loves you very much. Take care and God bless you. . . . Goodbye.

These calls should be carefully noted and the same child should phone the same person every two months or so. Eventually the person on the other end will ask the child when he or she is coming to visit - and thus, under adult guidance, our children can get very involved in their own scouting programme. This little exercise does wonders for our children as well.

Flower Greetings

Often the Sabbath bouquet is given to a church member or is taken home by the one who brought the bouquet to church. Think about breaking up the bouquet into individual posies that can be mounted on backing cards that are prettily ribboned and printed with a Bible promise.

If this is not an alternative, then approach your local florist and ask if he or she could not donate the flowers that were not sold on Saturday morning for free distribution to the elderly in the community. These flowers can be picked up after church and distributed on Saturday afternoon.

Once the children have made up the posies, and the afternoon's mission has been prayed for, have an adult take the children to a nearby, hospital, old-age home or retirement village where they may present the posies to the elderly. Always have the children rehearse their greeting so that they will be more confident.

Hello, How are you today? My name is . . . . . . . . . and this is my friend . . . . . . . . .. We just came around this afternoon to give you this flower to remind you that Jesus loves you and that he cares about you. We hope that you have a lovely day. God bless you.

Invariably the call does not end there and the children will be invited in for cold drink and cookies. But here a word of caution. The children must be taught beforehand how to politely say no - failing which they will have so much cold drink and so many cookies in one afternoon that they will certainly fall ill.

Thank you very much for the invitation, but we just had cold drink next door - but next time perhaps. [or] We would love to come in and talk to you, but we have just had cold drink and cookies next door.

Reporting

Once we have visited the needy, and done what we can to relieve their plight, and the results have been neatly recorded on the back of the Community Needs Survey sheet, we now have opportunity to really impress those who originally referred us to the needy. Provided we secured their names and addresses on the scouting call, we may either write to these individuals or call on them and give them a report of the progress of each case - making sure that no confidential information is divulged.

At the end of the call we could hand them a little card and a reply paid envelope. The card will invite them to lend their financial support to the programme, either by debit order or by direct deposit into the Care Unlimited bank account.

Control

One very organized person in the church should be given the responsibility of filing Community Needs Survey sheets. This same person should be responsible for distributing these sheets to the teams and of collecting them again. Backup copies of these sheets should be kept in a safe, fire-proof place.

Promotion

It would appear as though we, as a church, have not realized the importance of our mission to the world. As far as ministry to the needs of others is concerned, we seem to be resting on the laurels of our welfare institutions and various isolated welfare programmes. But our welfare programme is not just a good PR tool for the church - it is the very purpose for our existence as a church, . . .

`The Saviour has given His precious life in order to establish a church capable of ministering to the suffering, the sorrowful, and the tempted.' (MH106)

You see, welfare work is the purpose and the life blood of the church, and we desperately need to realise this. We need to see that church attendance on Sabbath is but a stop-over at the filling station on our journey - it is not the journey itself.

And here we would like to stick our necks out by suggesting that we should consider making Sabbath morning church services into more of a filling station. In view of our need to organize ourselves, and to mobilize ourselves, wouldn't it be nice if, once a month, the Sabbath school and lesson study were combined and attention was given to the church's Care Unlimited programme - reporting on results and planning future campaigns.

`Every church should be a training school for Christian workers. Its members should be taught how to give Bible readings, how to conduct and teach Sabbath-school classes, how best to help the poor and to care for the sick, how to work for the unconverted. There should be schools of health, cooking schools, and classes in various lines of Christian help work.' (MH149)

`Nothing will so arouse a self-sacrificing zeal and broaden and strengthen the character as to engage in work for others. Many professed Christians, in seeking church relationship, think only of themselves. They wish to enjoy church fellowship and pastoral care. They become members of large and prosperous churches, and are content to do little for others. In this way they are robbing themselves of the most precious blessings. Many would be greatly benefited by sacrificing their pleasant, ease-conducing associations. They need to go where their energies will be called out in Christian work and they can learn to bear responsibilities.' (MH151)

`Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ``Follow Me.'' ' (MH143)

`None need wait until called to some distant field before beginning to help others. Doors of service are open everywhere. All around us are those who need our help. The widow, the orphan, the sick and the dying, the heartsick, the discouraged, the ignorant, and the outcast are on every hand.' (MH152)

Closing Thoughts:

`Christianity is the revealing of the tenderest affection for one another.' (1SM114)

"Unless there is practical self-sacrifice for the good of others, in the family circle, in the neighborhood, in the church, and wherever we may be, then whatever our profession, we are not Christians." (DA504)

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Ok, you've read this far - which means you are really interested in helping others. Would you like to approach your church board about hosting their own mission website? Provided we receive an application on an official church letterhead, and provided your application is approved, and provided the church registers their own domain name, we would be happy to upload the entire Friends Who Care Website to your church's domain - which means that all responses and feedback would come to your email address for follow-up. Your church could then use this website as an effective back-up to their outreach program. There is nothing to pay - other than the domain registration and renewal. This is a free service with no sub-agendas. Please visit the Friends Who Care website if you are interested, and then speak to your church board. You may email us for more information.