A Bible Teaching Ministry at Churches in Wichita, KS
                     Providing Well For Those in Need
The last couple of years have been extremely hard for people. Even other than the  
pandemic, people's relationships due to the lockdowns have suffered. Recently, I  
have heard about a mother who lost her child at 20 weeks, another whose husband  
left her for someone else, and a friend who was hurt by her church and had doubts  
about attending again. As ministry leaders, we are often God's first step toward  
healing as we help others through these last few years of incredible loss and pain. It  
is imperative that we carry the brokenness of the hurting people with grace, honor,  
and wisdom when faced with the loss of loved ones, financial strains, and divorce  
decisions. While we are ministering to the hurting, here are a couple of things to  
keep in mind:
1. Be Present and Listen:
Whether they have suffered a major loss or a minor one, their willingness to share  
their sorrows and perhaps even experiencing some doubt is a vulnerability that we  
must be mindful of as leaders. You can take on the pain of those who are hurting by  
sitting with them, listening, and giving them time to process their emotions and  
confusion. You can also honor their pain and acknowledge their hard circumstances.  
It is imperative that we walk alongside one another in love while demonstrating  
empathy and compassion.
2. Offer Hope, Instead of Advice:
A lot of people like to fix things or situations or other people. Even if you want to call  
the other person or formulate a plan to get them out of their bind, making them  
remember the character and truths of God is the most important thing to do when  
they are experiencing pain or distress. While a Bible verse will not resolve all  
problems, we need to remind people over and over again that they can place their  
trust in God regardless of their circumstances, rather than find answers for them.  
The Bible repeatedly says that God uses the brokenness of this world to bring about  
the glory and purposes of His kingdom. Oftentimes, we think that relief from pain or  
changing circumstances is the answer. While we may have some physical resources  
or experience that will enable us to better understand their predicament, before we  
can begin trying to save the day, it is vital that we first ensure they have a hope that  
Jesus offers more than just a fix to the problem.
3. References and Resources:
As soon as we moved into our new church, I looked for Christian therapists,  
pregnancy resources, addiction recovery programs, and grief support groups. My  
list of resources in different forms allows me to address the variety of needs I  
encounter. Often as ministers we are not equipped with the skills, knowledge, or  
experience to deal with many challenging situations that we face and yet God  
graciously permits us to be the first step toward someone seeking help and healing.  
When we make use of the different resources around us and let others become an  
extension of our care, we are truly better together.
4. Following up:
You should always follow up after you have heard what someone is going through.  
You can give them hope and grace by sending them a simple email, text, or card. An  
acquaintance of mine writes a Christmas card to every member of his church  
congregation whose family member has passed away during the year. An elderly  
woman at my previous church used to send flowers to widowed women on their  
anniversaries when they had lost their spouses. It is comforting to "remember"  
together and to be reminded that we are not alone in our losses or griefs, nor do we  
forget our pain.
Closing Thoughts
We will conclude this post with one last thought. As a leader, you have probably  
faced some difficult challenges, losses, and hurt at some point. It hasn't been easy for  
me to give to those in need in this season, and I encourage you to do the same, to  
seek quiet time for reflection and reflection on our responsibilities as leaders. We  
pray that God surrounds you with the good people who encourage you, and mentor  
you. We pray that you will do the same for those you lead and shepherd.
If you are searching for Bible teaching Churches in Wichita Ks, you will find them at  
Restoration Church. Founded in January of 2012, our dream was to create a global  
impact beyond the city limits. Our mission is to restore people to a loving  
relationship with Christ and free them to live a life according to God's will.
Would you like to know more about the Restoration Church, where to serve, or  
whom to contact? At the Welcome Center, you can start a conversation before or
after a service. We look forward to meeting you! Our contact information is also  
available on our website.