We spend a lot of time talking about the importance of training care givers when starting a men’s team ministry to the widowed and single parents. Care givers need to be trained in the love of Christ, the importance of good works, why we use teams, what the men’s team model is, what safety issues to be aware of, and what the church’s policies are, among other things.
But it’s also important to give some teaching to care receivers. Care receivers need to understand what we’re trying to accomplish with men’s team ministry, the difference between project ministry and relational ministry, how the church chooses it’s care receivers, what is and is not expected of them, and what the church policies are.
Understanding the difference between project ministry and relational ministry is especially important for care receivers. If they don’t grasp this distinction, they will feel like they are “hoarding” their team when it keeps returning month after month. They won’t understand that the team is just attempting to practice the unending and committed love of Christ by providing consistent and effective ministry over years.
Sometimes this problem is especially present in wealthier churches. Having a team returning to their home month after month may even become a pride issue with care receivers. But with proper eduation and given enough time, this issue can be overcome.
One way to help care receivers understand the nature of men’s team ministry better is by developing a care receiver’s handbook. New Commandment Men’s Ministries has an example of a care receiver’s handbook here. You are welcome to download it and modify it as you please.
This post first appeared in New Commandment.org.
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Learn how to form teams of men for every widow, single mom
and fatherless child in your church at NewCommandment.org.
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