Why  Have  A  Telephone  Ministry?

         

By  Gene  Engdahl

Down throughout history, churches have been built as a place to worship God.  It started with the tabernacle in the wilderness, followed by the temple in Jerusalem and later in synagogues.

Today we have churches of every size and description presumably built for worship.  Yet there are multitudes who still do not come inside a church to find peace and hope in their times of trouble.  Actually a church door can become a barrier to the sinner who needs the message of salvation.  In spite of “open door” approaches such as evangelistic crusades in arenas, auditoriums, tent meetings and street meetings, there are barriers to finding Christ in these non-church surroundings.

Such meetings  occure infrequently. Individuals may have fears of attending an unknown meeting. They may have heard of unfounded rumors. They may be afraid of being seen at such meetings. They may be embarrased and uncomfortable. It may require an effort for their attendance, and perfer to not go. There may not be the personal attention that is required.

At the time of crisis, people need someone who will LISTEN, comfort, counsel

and lead them to Christ.  A telephone crisis center can meet those needs promptly

and effectively on a one-to-one basis.  Think about the following reasons for having a telephone-counseling center.

1. It can be operated by either a dedicated, Spirit-called layperson or ordained

          minister, who is called into the ministry.

2. It can be part of a church ministry, as an outreach program, or operated

          separately from a church.

3. It may become like a church body with all the operating principles found            within a “brick and mortar” church.

4. It can be operated out of a church, an office, or home.

5. It can begin operation with little space and few fixtures such as a desk, a                            chair and an existing telephone.

6. It initially requires only a few dedicated persons.

7. It is a unique way of reaching those in the market place as a crisis center

   through TV, radio, newspapers, Internet, on buses, bill boards, yellow

   pages, posters, and cards.

8. Advertising messages for the telephone center can be placed in magazines,

          posters, hand bills and flyers.

9. An effective advertisment could be plced in the personal column of your                             daily local newspaper. One idea is: "Going the wrong way? To turn around                       call (phone number of your center)."

10. Jim Thurston from Chile has one of the largest Spanish speaking Christian                       web sites in the world (www.integridad.com).  He has over 700,000                                       individuals coming in a month from over 130 countries. On the site is a chat                       room where hundreds come in daily (somewhat the same as a telephone                           crisis center). "We have it so you can talk publicly or you can talk privately                         with just one person."  In 2003 over 8,298 indicated that they received                                  Christ and - 38,468 were counseled.  They are reaching 390,723 on a                                    weekly mailing list.  Love Lines training materials are being used to train                             their counselors.

Thoughts to consider:

1. A telephone ministry has the potential of meeting people who are searching for                answers to their life's problems on a one-to-one basis at the time of their need.

      2. A church building may be used only a limited number of times each week.

3. A telephone-counseling ministry in full development is open 24 hours a day

           every day.

4. At a time of crisis people need someone who will  LISTEN, comfort, counsel,                     and lead them to Christ on a one to one basis.

5. People can share problems they normally would not discuss with others.

6. You can meet people with whom you would not ordinarily come in contact.

7.Time and distance are irrelevant. People can call from anywhere to your

          designated location.

8. Counselors can lead people into a personal relationship with the living God.

9. This ministry gives counselors purpose to one’s salvation, sharing Christ                           with hurting humanity.

10. It is similar to a church because it involves a group of dedicated volunteer

             counselors joined in singleness of purpose in ministering to people.

11. In comparison to other outreach ministries, telephone counseling is                                     relatively inexpensive.

12. Many testify that this use of telephones has expanded their ministry and

             brought new life to their church community.

13. It is a great way to evangelize people and get them involved in a local                                  church.

14. We can network with local churches and community agencies to get the                             callers connected to appropriate sources of continued assistance.

15. Many directors from various countries are saying that this ministry is on                             the cutting edge of 21st Century evangelism.

    For more information contact:

Love Lines, Inc.

2535 Central Ave. N.E.

Minneapolis, MN  55418

or e-mail:  Missions@lovelines.org

ERE