Ministry to the Homebound

[Guest stevej]

The last five years have been an eyeopener related to church ministries and the homebound. Knowing that there are churches that are doing a good work with the homebound, I have become concerned with the churches who do not attempt, speak lofty words and or do not really care about the homebound.

My wife brought 3 different questions to the leadership of our church.

1. Can someone come to my home and read scripture or pray? The response

was we will see what we can do.

2. Can the church send deacons to share in the Lord's Supper with the homebound? The response was silence.

3. Would the church consider finding alternate transportation for the wheel chair bound? The response was silence. The church would not consider asking other members who were wheelchair bound to help with transporting those who could not go on their own.

Now, that having been said. My response initially to the church was:

You do not hesitate to ask for money.

You do not hesitate to fund or support programs outside the church for those who are not homebound.

You do not really care about the people who are homebound...otherwise a visitation program to the homebound would be in place.

The lost sheep in the church are the homebound. They feel left out, forgotten and overall ignored by the church. They see or hear about pastors and staff spending time with the big money in the church but wonder if a yearly visit might be appropriate.

My prayer is that our churches, leadership in the churches, and staff would recognize their role with the homebound. That we collectively would search out those who feel forgotten and ignored and make them a part of the ministry. The entire Body of Christ would benefit.

I would never deny that i have a personal interest. My wife feels all of the above but thank God she has not become bitter as many have. Would be interested to hear what some of the other churches or individually what is being done with the homebound.

steve

[Guest stevej]

Would be interested to hear what some of the other churches or individually what is being done with the homebound.

Sounds like the faith of a mustard seed is a fable these days. Or has it been replaced with something else?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wonder what you mean? Are you questioning the faith of the church, the thought, or exactly what?

[Leonard]

You guys have obviously NOT been dealing with Tommy Barnett and 1st Assembly of God, of Phoenix!

[jesussaves]

Have you and your wife begun a home bound ministry?

Most churches I know that have this type of ministry call it visitation day. It is a day or evening set aside to go visit and pray with those who cannot get to the church.

[Liss]

in my experience, i have found that it is normally the people who have a heart to reach a certain group of people who are chosen to start ministries to those people.

i woould say that because you have a heart for homebound, that you initiate the ministering to these people.

also i would say that you need to pray for your church leaders so that they would get a revelation that there are people out there that need those home visits and travel assistance, so they too can enjoy the Christian teaching and fellowship that i fear some take for granted.

[peaches]

steve....i feel the same way because thats whats happening at my church too! its so heartbreaking that people realise the need but they feel they cant do anything about it! its really sad.

[Scarletprayers]

Our Church has a bus fitted with a lift that it sent out to pick up people in wheelchairs who attend. We also built a Senior Assisted Living complex next to our church and it has really been a blessing. So many of the Seniors had felt cut off because they could no longer attend worship. Now they all come and if they need assistance the bus goes to get them.

We also take the Lords Supper to the homebound every Sunday. 3 or 4 people go and they have prayer and talk and let them partake of the the Lords Supper. I really have no idea who or how it got started. Sorry!