Ministry Resources
Chronic Illness & Pain Caregivers Christian Counseling Disability Drama Ministry Grief & Loss Mental Health Salvation Service Teaching/Homeschooling
More To Come...
Whether you are a parent, caregiver, friend, family member, or in full time Christian ministry, these are some of the best ministry resources I've found. I hope you find valuable information, encouragement and inspiration in them. May God bless you abundantly as you minister His love to others.
In God's Love,
Angela Dobbins
Ministry Is…
Listening, when you'd rather fix the problem.
Searching for the joy, when it's easier to say "it's not fair."
Helping, when you feel like you're the one that needs the help.
Telling God, "use me," when you'd rather ask to be rescued.
Encouraging, even when you don't understand God's reasoning.
Hugging when it feels awkward.
Saying, "let's pray right now," instead of "I'll pray for you."
Serving, when you doubt you have anything left to give.
Comforting, by being the flicker of light in others' dark caverns.
Author Unknown
"Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10
Chronic Illness & Pain
Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness
by Maureen Pratt
When God Weeps
by Joni Eareckson Tada, Rev. Steve Estes
From our perspective, suffering doesn't make sense, especially when we believe in a loving and just God. After more than thirty years in a wheelchair, Joni Eareckson Tada's intimate experience with suffering gives her a special understanding of God's intentions for us in our pain.
"If I had to
recommend only ONE
book to people with chronic illness" says Lisa Copen, founder of Rest Ministries, 'WHEN GOD WEEPS
would be IT!"
Heaven Is Real- Lessons on Earthly Joy
by Don Piper & Cecil Murphy
"Heaven is real...so how should we spend our time on earth?"
After his miraculous and transforming 90 Minutes in Heaven (a true story of death and life), Don Piper shares spiritual lessons he's learned throughout his own experience with pain, recovery, disability and finding a "new normal". Through his testimony and the testimonies of others, he shows us how to discover a renewed purpose and to embrace God's grace in the here and now, before we reach the hereafter. Very inspirational and uplifting! I highly recommend this book to anyone who has experienced a devastating loss or major, life-altering event. It certainly spoke to my heart.
Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend
by Lisa Copen
We all want to help people but we don't know where to start. We hear others who want to reach out to us, or other chronically ill friends, but they make simple offers that we never feel comfortable accepting. This book is a wonderful way to give people ideas to be creative, approachable, and a great friend.
So You Want to Start a Chronic Illness/Pain Ministry
by Lisa Copen
This 70-page manual will lead you through everything you need to know to have a more effective outreach to people who live with chronic illness or pain. It's designed with symbols and in an easy-to-read format; it also includes over 65 personal anecdotes from people in pain. . .
For other helpful chronic illness, pain & disability resources, visit
Rest Ministries bookstore online at
http://www.chronicillnessbooks.com
Rest Ministries was founded by Lisa Copen and is an awesome resource for those affected by chronic illness, including friends, family members and those who care for and minister to those with illness and disability. Check it out!
Visit Illness-Disability-Healthcare-Caregiver Ministry Network
Caregivers
Someone Cares Movie
Beautiful & inspiring images & music!
"Do what you can to show you care about other people,
and you will make our world a better place." - Rosalynn Carter
The Twenty-third Psalm for Caregivers
by Carmen Leal
"This book, with its beautiful illustrations and heartwarming text, is a much needed hug for caregivers everywhere." - Martha Bolton
Give Us This Day- Daily Hope for Caregivers
by Martha Evans Sparks
Devotionals are arranged around the emotions and experiences of a caregiver and include insights on comfort, encouragement, gratitude, hope, joy, love, patience, wisdom, and strength.
When Someone You Love Has Alzheimer's: Daily Encouragement
by Cecil Murphey
Visit Illness-Disability-Healthcare-Caregiver Ministry Network
More To Come!
Counseling
The Bible for Hope, NKJV
Caring for People God's Way
Full-Color, Hardcover
The Bible for Hope is a resource created to help Christian counselors lead others to healing and hope in the midst of the challenges and difficulties of life. Suitable for pastoral, professional and lay Christian counselors.
Handbook on Counseling Youth
by Josh McDowell & Bob Hostetler
"An easy to use handbook to help parents, teachers, pastors and youth workers guide today's young people through the minefields on the path to adulthood."
Disability
Founded by Joni Eareckson Tada in 1979 to communicate the gospel and equip Christ-honoring churches worldwide to evangelize and disciple people affected by disabilities. Discover many great disability resources here!
exchange resources and ideas and support each other
A great site run by Rudy Sims, a talented guy who courageously lives with cerebral palsy. "Discuss disability issues and exchange resources, ideas and support. Whether you have a disability, health issue, or are just interested in disability issues, you are welcome to join this social network."
Visit Illness-Disability-Healthcare-Caregiver Ministry Network
Same Lake Different Boat
by Stephanie O. Hubach
The author includes both scholarly discussion and heartwarming stories. This book presents a Biblical view of disability, along with a call to churches to reform and become an inclusive community for all people.
Heaven Is Real- Lessons on Earthly Joy
by Don Piper & Cecil Murphy
"Heaven is real...so how should we spend our time on earth?"
After his miraculous and transforming 90 Minutes in Heaven (a true story of death and life), Don Piper shares spiritual lessons he's learned throughout his own experience with pain, recovery, disability and finding a "new normal". Through his testimony and the testimonies of others, he shows us how to discover a renewed purpose and to embrace God's grace in the here and now, before we reach the hereafter. Very inspirational and uplifting! I highly recommend this book to anyone who has experienced a devastating loss or major, life-altering event. It certainly spoke to my heart.
Drama Ministry
dramashare
your Christian drama resource center
"Royalty free Christian drama scripts, skits, sketches, sermon starters, full length drama, plus proven ministry organization and training support for your entire ministry."
Grief & Loss
Finding Your Way after the Suicide of Someone You Love
by David B. Biebel, Suzanne L. Foster
The Art of Helping
by Lauren Littauer Briggs
All of us have wanted to offer comfort and support to someone experiencing the intense pain of loss, but we simply don't know what to say to someone facing divorce, the death of a child, cancer, the loss of a job, infertility, and estranged or rebellious child, a chronic illness, and the other tough issues of life.
The Art of Helping is presented with those times in mind. Find out the best way to express your feeling in a positive, uplifting manner that a hurting person will understand and appreciate.
More To Come!
Mental Health
When Someone You Love Suffers from Depression or Mental Illness
by Cecil Murphey
In the Shadow of God's Wings
by Susan Gregg-Schroeder
Susan Gregg-Schroeder offers a bold statement about living with chronic depression and discovering gifts of God in the midst of that depression. Taking readers on her own personal journey into depression, Gregg-Schroeder describes what happened to her while she served as a church pastor.
Creating Caring Congregations DVD
by Mental Health Ministries
Providing resources to develop a mental health program in the local church is the important first step in the inclusion and support of persons with mental illnesses and their families into the life of the church community. The sharing of personal stories and experiences provides a way to give voice to those who have suffered in silence, and allows churches to begin the process of reaching out and providing compassionate care to those affected by disorders of the brain.
Shadow Voices- finding HOPE in mental illness
"An extension of the Shadow Voices documentary, this website is especially helpful for those who:
- have a family member with a mental illness
- are pastors, social workers, police officers, or any others who encounter people with mental illnesses in their work
- wish to be more aware of how to be a support to those with mental illnesses, whether that is a neighbor or a member of your church
- are students doing research on mental illness
- are interested in reading incredible stories of courage as people do the hard work of living with and recovering from mental illness"
More To Come!
Salvation
Available in multiple languages, various English, printable pdf, text and other versions
Flash Movie
English Web Version
All Versions
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