Rehabilitating Wounded Soldiers

Leaders of missional churches readily recognize that spirituality, community, and service are significant factors for pursuing their mission. But many fail to see how providing Christian care fits into the overall mission and purpose of the externally focused congregation. In fact, the missional value of Christian care is evident in a number of ways.

Rehabilitating Wounded Soldiers - You don’t send wounded soldiers back into battle without providing appropriate care and sufficient time to recuperate.

Life is tough. The members of our parish experience emotional and spiritual bumps and bruises from time to time—and sometimes more drastic injuries—as they serve their King and engage in his mission. Sometimes the wounds are inflicted by an enemy; other times they are self-inflicted. Either way, wounded soldiers need time and proper care to recuperate and heal before again being pressed into service. Christian care is essential for helping God’s people return to wholeness so they can once again engage in God’s mission.

What happens if people don’t receive the care they need when they’re suffering? What if their needs are ignored or unnoticed or—worse yet— trivialized by others wielding hollow platitudes? Hurting Christians who don’t receive appropriate, compassionate care from your congregation quickly lose sight of any potential value they may have had for our parish’s mission. Some will become disillusioned and seek healing elsewhere; others will lose faith in the church as a whole and disassociate from the parish.

Another major research finding is that a person is much more likely to become inactive or drop out of church if his or her needs for care during a crisis go unmet.  Even if hurting people stay in our parish, their loyalty and devotion are likely to wane. 20051009