Ministering Felt Needs
Diane Morstad
November 23, 1999
1. Based on the ministry of Jesus
a. To spiritually cold, non-seekers. They should have already had a relationship with God. No needs, but often bring up issues to dispute. The Pharisees and scribes wanted to entrap Jesus (Matt. 21:23-26)
b. To searchers. The 5,000 who sat and listened to Jesus teach (Luke 9:11) and then received healing and food.
c. To the needy. The two blind men recognized Jesus, were healed and then followed Jesus (Matt 20:30-34), or the 10 lepers (Luke 17:12-19) who called out to Jesus, were healed and only one returned to thank Jesus. Both instances only took a few minutes.
d. To unknowing unbelievers. The woman at the well and the townspeople did not know Jesus or that they had needs and were not seeking. They did not receive physically but did receive spiritually. (John 4:11 and beyond).
2. Based on the format of Love Lines Crisis Center.
a. Some callers know we are Christian, and they call because they recognize the spiritual aspect of their need. With these you can listen to the need, ask what their expectations are and then proceed with referrals and prayer.
b. Some callers know we are Christian but don’t think they have needs and just call to ‘entrap’ us. The officials Paul preached to did not have felt needs and did not recognize their spiritual need and wanted to discredit Paul. This would be like the “Carls” of the phones. (By the way, he called on Saturday and apologized to Maxine for abusing our phones and counselors. She said he was nice and that was all he said to her).
c. Some callers recognize us as a Crisis Center and present their needs. With these (even though they do not claim a personal relationship with Jesus) it is important to deal with the physical need first. Listen, help find a physical solution (not necessarily the spiritual aspect of their need) and then OFFER to pray. When Lois offered to pray with a Muslim couple at the food giveaway they asked if they HAD to pray to get the certificate. They NEEDED the certificate. We will still pray for them and the other families that received certificates, that when other problems come up they will turn to us.
3. Ideas for ministering.
a. Determine which category your caller is in.
b. Keep the caller focused on the immediate need, not their life history.
c. Develop a trust relationship in your listening, but don’t go for ‘friendship’. You don’t have enough time. YOU may never speak to them again, but WE will (on the corporate�
level).
d. Supply the need.
e. Encourage the 2nd phone call.
f. Encourage follow-up.
TYPES OF CALLERS:
SPIRITUALLY COLD, NON-SEEKERS.
SEARCHERS
NEEDY
UNKNOWING UNBELIEVERS
PLAN OF MINISTRY
