Offering C.A.R.E. for Caregivers
Charles H. Chandler, Executive Director of MTM
On a Saturday evening a few months ago, a minister's wife called from another state. Her husband had been forced out of the pastorate he had held for two years. The church leaders agreed upon a severance package in exchange for his resignation but then reneged on paying the full amount agreed upon. Moving back to their home state and unable to find work to support his family, the minister went into deep depression. He was hospitalized in a psychiatric ward in a neighboring state for 17 days. Their car broke down. Unable to pay their bills, collectors began 'hounding' them. They lost their health care coverage and were about to be evicted from the rental house in which they were living. Unskilled and with four children ages 19 months to 15 years, child care would cost more than the minister's wife could earn if she were to find a job. They swallowed their pride and signed up for food stamps in order for the family to eat.
She had seen in an old issue of Leadership magazine the name and telephone number of Barnabas Ministries that provides encouragement for ministers and their families. She called and after telling her story was referred to MTM Foundation. I had met the Barnabas Ministries Director at the CareGivers Forum 95 in Colorado Springs the previous year. He and I were in the same small prayer group.
After learning the destitute condition of the family, I put into motion some of the principles and procedures developed by MTM. One of the principles is to provide a Survivor/Sponsor in the general geographical area, someone who has experienced the trauma of church conflict and/or forced termination. I called a Survivor. Within a few days, he had made contact with the hurting family, obtained money from his church's benevolence fund and from some neighboring churches to apply toward their rent.
I also called my sister-in-law who lives in the general area. She visited with the family, involved her church in ministering to them, and her daughter and son-in-law involved their church in the ministry, including providing diapers for the baby, clothes for the children, and a mechanic to repair the car. They also made phone calls in an effort to help the displaced minister find a job. PastorCare Network, an agency formed by a minister who participated in our first Wellness Retreat and with which MTM networks, arranged for a dentist to provide the family some free and much needed dental care and a certified counselor to provide free counseling. The family participated in an MTM Wellness Retreat a few months later. Through my follow-up phone conversations, I have seen the family slowly move from hopelessness toward hope. I'm convinced that God works through mysterious ways - including old magazines and networking - to care for His chosen but wounded messengers. God can utilize your skills and resources - prayer support and monetary donations - to be a part of a healing network.