By Bonny Jenista
Are we a loving church? I hope you would answer “Yes!” With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, thoughts turn to love. And there are many ways to show someone you love them.
As the Prayer Ministry has gotten underway, we often send a “Care Note" of encouragement, support, and love. We let people know we are praying for them, their family, and their situation. Often the recipient of the note will call or send a note of thanks in return. One of the things we have heard is how well some of the Sunday School classes are at sending their love to absentee class members. Sometimes the class might send a note saying they are thinking about the class member and are praying for them. Sometimes they take a meal to the class member. Is your Sunday School class or group showing love in this way?
Every Sunday School class or group that meets regularly should think about how they are care for and show love to their members. We encourage you to think about having a Prayer/Care Coordinator. This person could call the member who has been absent for more than two weeks to make sure the member is doing okay. Sometimes it's hard for people to attend due to illness, family emergencies, or even work schedules. But it's often hard for them to call the group and ask for help or support. Maybe they don’t have gas money to attend or they are unsure if “anyone really cares.”
Calling a member who is absent is a very easy task. Simply call and say “Hey, we (state your group) haven’t seen you in a couple of weeks and we wanted to call and see if you are doing okay.“ If the class member says, “Yes,” then just tell them that is good and let them know you hope to see them back soon. If they say “No,” then ask if your group can do anything to help. Maybe they need a meal brought in, or perhaps they just need someone to listen to them. Always ask if you can share the need with your group. Also, never hang up without telling them that you care about and miss them. Then, pray for them before you hang up.
Sometimes the most important thing we can do as a group of Christians is not just have the meeting or lesson, but learn to reach out to others who need our help and love. Never forget to offer to put in a prayer request to your group and to the Prayer Ministry, Staff, or Pastors. Always check about confidentiality. Always think, "If I were absent, would anyone notice? Would anyone care?"
If your class or group does not have a Prayer/Care Coordinator, would you be the one to do it? Remember, it always hurts if we are not shown that others care. Most people want to belong to a group that cares and prays for them. Show others you care by loving, calling, and praying! One of the main reasons a person leaves a group is because he or she feels unimportant or that no one cares.
Our Intercessors and Prayer Room attendees are always ready to pray with or for anyone who is in need. Contact the Prayer Ministry, Staff or Pastors if you need a helping hand for a class or group member.
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