Nursing home ministry is not an easy one; but very rewarding. These people cannot repay you, they are among those who Jesus described as the "least of these". But, in his eyes, every bit as precious and important as anyone. The need in this area is always there, perhaps you could be the Lord's hands and feet to work in these fields, for His harvest.
Romans 12:6 through Romans 12:8
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.
ONE ON ONE MINISTRY TIPS THAT WORK
Go with a prepared heart to minister, time spent in prayer beforehand is crucial
Go with the power of God in prayer, expect the unexpected
Go Dressed appropriately, as if you were going to church, you are an Ambassador.
Go with a bible and large print literature.
QUALITIES NEEDED FOR THE MINISTRY
Acceptance of the residence worth.
Ability to allow residence space-permission
Ability to be optimistic and have a good outlook. (This is the best place around I hear)
Ability to listen. You may not get a chance to speak much at first.
Appreciation of the aspects of aging.
Ability to discuss death
Be consistent.
Be yourself. They can spot a phony. Treat other the way you want to be treated.
Let the Holy Ghost guide you.
Have a concern for the whole person.
Don’t play favorites.
MAKING THE FIRST VISIT COUNT
Build confidence
Follow the Spirits leading
Pray, knock (it is there home) announce your presents, smile
Relax, just be you.
Touch. When appropriate; hands especially when praying. Shoulder; hugs.
Share your life, as a friend. Family, home town
Practice the art of listening;
Show affection and interest
Speak clearly
Show that you care. (you are not there because you have to be)
These suggestions may seem obvious, and unnecessary to mention; but look around this world, and watch how people treat one another, then put yourself in these people's place. Then it is clear how important showing them love is.
Time your visits that they are not too long that you have time for other residents.
INSPIRE RESPECT
Do what you promise
Give your undivided attention
Give thoughtful gifts: crosses, pins, book markers, bibles in large print
Keep confidence
LEARN ABOUT THE RESIDENTS
Do a resident biography found in this packet
Ask what they like and try to provide that on future visits.
Don’t encourage complaints, the staff is overworked and underpaid
Visit them at the hospital if they enter for treatment.
HOW TO APPROACH SPIRITUAL THINGS
Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. What works in one situation may not work in another.
If you are visiting in the strength of Christ, leave the results of the visit; your words, actions, to the Holy Spirit. Some residents will never be able to respond to you in a rational way, and you may never know the Spiritual results until we get into heaven.
Prepare yourself as God’s messenger. God works through clean channels. He uses purified vessels. PRAY for His guidance. Patiently wait for the opportunity
to share about Spiritual things. God’s timing is always best. Yet you may not get a chance to witness, but always leave some large print reading materials.
You might give the resident a Scripture portion or a tract. Or a devotional book. If the resident cannot read it because of bad eyesight, offer to read it to them. If you do leave it, ask whether it was meaningful the next time you visit them.
Ask the resident, "Can I pray for you before I leave?" Especially if they are troubled by a health problem, make note of that problem and their name before the Lord. I usually hold their hand.
If the resident is a Christian, ask about their experiences in the faith since their salvation. Ask if there are favorite scriptures you can read for them. They will quote it with you.
Because that the nursing homes is a place of depression and anxiety, some Christians lack assurance. Be prepared to share verses like 1 John 5:11-13 (That ye may know that ye have eternal life…) John 5:24 (Hath eternal life…passed from death unto life)
Be sure your personal confidence rest in the Lord. They can spot a wavering man, and phonies. Share your faith often in personal situations, and how prayer has helped. Many need to be encouraged about praying in faith. You are to communicate faith, hope, confidence, and comfort, love…
Be prepared to share your own testimony of faith in Christ. If you’ve never shared your testimony before, consider this outline:
What was I like before becoming a Christian
How I became a Christian
How I changed once I became a Christian
What Jesus means to me now
SOME CAUTIONS:
Be genuine, and use simple terms people understand
Be careful in your terms: "saved"; "received Christ"; "born again"; etc. These may be unfamiliar or meaningless to them. You will have to defend your faith, as "Born Again" peoples for so are those television preachers.
Don’t be too wordy, and try to impress the resident with your knowledge
Don’t mention denominations. Let them ask you. Focus on Christ.
Don’t give the impression that the Christian Life is a bed of roses and being saved will solve all their problems.
Be careful about preaching at them. Use more conversational methods as Jesus did: asking questions, or sharing instead. There are many years of tradition and hard walls to break through. It may take months to reach an
Don’t try to give answers when you don’t have the answers. Be honest! Tell them that you do not know, but you will try to find the answer.
Commit some helpful verses to memory.
Don’t put pressure on them for a decision. Know the leading of the Holy Spirit when to quit. Remember you have tracts, and that the Holy Spirit is in control. This is a faith ministry.
Salvation verses should be on the tip of your tongue so that they fit in every day conversation with the resident, without using to open up your bible and hunt for them.
Knowledge of what the bible says about death, heaven, and the return of Christ can be a great help in leading the person to think about their need of salvation. Most residents are interested and concerned for their future, especially most know they will die in that facility.
Most residents have a TV. Encourage them to watch evangelical programs on Sunday, being careful to steer them and educate them in the cults.
If possible, build on what the resident already has. Chances are that you will never change their mind about their religious affiliation. Most have some background in religion. Educate yourself in other faiths to know what they believe. Emphasize the necessity of a personal relationship with Christ. We must not only believe about Jesus, but also believe in Christ to be saved.
Lorna Couillard
Romans 12:6 through Romans 12:8
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.
ONE ON ONE MINISTRY TIPS THAT WORK
Go with a prepared heart to minister, time spent in prayer beforehand is crucial
Go with the power of God in prayer, expect the unexpected
Go Dressed appropriately, as if you were going to church, you are an Ambassador.
Go with a bible and large print literature.
QUALITIES NEEDED FOR THE MINISTRY
Acceptance of the residence worth.
Ability to allow residence space-permission
Ability to be optimistic and have a good outlook. (This is the best place around I hear)
Ability to listen. You may not get a chance to speak much at first.
Appreciation of the aspects of aging.
Ability to discuss death
Be consistent.
Be yourself. They can spot a phony. Treat other the way you want to be treated.
Let the Holy Ghost guide you.
Have a concern for the whole person.
Don’t play favorites.
MAKING THE FIRST VISIT COUNT
Build confidence
Follow the Spirits leading
Pray, knock (it is there home) announce your presents, smile
Relax, just be you.
Touch. When appropriate; hands especially when praying. Shoulder; hugs.
Share your life, as a friend. Family, home town
Practice the art of listening;
Show affection and interest
Speak clearly
Show that you care. (you are not there because you have to be)
These suggestions may seem obvious, and unnecessary to mention; but look around this world, and watch how people treat one another, then put yourself in these people's place. Then it is clear how important showing them love is.
Time your visits that they are not too long that you have time for other residents.
INSPIRE RESPECT
Do what you promise
Give your undivided attention
Give thoughtful gifts: crosses, pins, book markers, bibles in large print
Keep confidence
LEARN ABOUT THE RESIDENTS
Do a resident biography found in this packet
Ask what they like and try to provide that on future visits.
Don’t encourage complaints, the staff is overworked and underpaid
Visit them at the hospital if they enter for treatment.
HOW TO APPROACH SPIRITUAL THINGS
Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. What works in one situation may not work in another.
If you are visiting in the strength of Christ, leave the results of the visit; your words, actions, to the Holy Spirit. Some residents will never be able to respond to you in a rational way, and you may never know the Spiritual results until we get into heaven.
Prepare yourself as God’s messenger. God works through clean channels. He uses purified vessels. PRAY for His guidance. Patiently wait for the opportunity
to share about Spiritual things. God’s timing is always best. Yet you may not get a chance to witness, but always leave some large print reading materials.
You might give the resident a Scripture portion or a tract. Or a devotional book. If the resident cannot read it because of bad eyesight, offer to read it to them. If you do leave it, ask whether it was meaningful the next time you visit them.
Ask the resident, "Can I pray for you before I leave?" Especially if they are troubled by a health problem, make note of that problem and their name before the Lord. I usually hold their hand.
If the resident is a Christian, ask about their experiences in the faith since their salvation. Ask if there are favorite scriptures you can read for them. They will quote it with you.
Because that the nursing homes is a place of depression and anxiety, some Christians lack assurance. Be prepared to share verses like 1 John 5:11-13 (That ye may know that ye have eternal life…) John 5:24 (Hath eternal life…passed from death unto life)
Be sure your personal confidence rest in the Lord. They can spot a wavering man, and phonies. Share your faith often in personal situations, and how prayer has helped. Many need to be encouraged about praying in faith. You are to communicate faith, hope, confidence, and comfort, love…
Be prepared to share your own testimony of faith in Christ. If you’ve never shared your testimony before, consider this outline:
What was I like before becoming a Christian
How I became a Christian
How I changed once I became a Christian
What Jesus means to me now
SOME CAUTIONS:
Be genuine, and use simple terms people understand
Be careful in your terms: "saved"; "received Christ"; "born again"; etc. These may be unfamiliar or meaningless to them. You will have to defend your faith, as "Born Again" peoples for so are those television preachers.
Don’t be too wordy, and try to impress the resident with your knowledge
Don’t mention denominations. Let them ask you. Focus on Christ.
Don’t give the impression that the Christian Life is a bed of roses and being saved will solve all their problems.
Be careful about preaching at them. Use more conversational methods as Jesus did: asking questions, or sharing instead. There are many years of tradition and hard walls to break through. It may take months to reach an
Don’t try to give answers when you don’t have the answers. Be honest! Tell them that you do not know, but you will try to find the answer.
Commit some helpful verses to memory.
Don’t put pressure on them for a decision. Know the leading of the Holy Spirit when to quit. Remember you have tracts, and that the Holy Spirit is in control. This is a faith ministry.
Salvation verses should be on the tip of your tongue so that they fit in every day conversation with the resident, without using to open up your bible and hunt for them.
Knowledge of what the bible says about death, heaven, and the return of Christ can be a great help in leading the person to think about their need of salvation. Most residents are interested and concerned for their future, especially most know they will die in that facility.
Most residents have a TV. Encourage them to watch evangelical programs on Sunday, being careful to steer them and educate them in the cults.
If possible, build on what the resident already has. Chances are that you will never change their mind about their religious affiliation. Most have some background in religion. Educate yourself in other faiths to know what they believe. Emphasize the necessity of a personal relationship with Christ. We must not only believe about Jesus, but also believe in Christ to be saved.
Lorna Couillard
