Section 10: MEMBER CARE AND COUNSELING

Listen to people who have a gripe.

• In most cases they will relax when they know they have been heard.
• If an issue involves several persons, then you might call a discussion group together to let them voice their concerns. Do not call for a vote on their issue at that time.
• If older people complain about more contemporary music, for example, listen to them. Then ask permission to do whatever is needed, to keep their grandchildren in the church.

Find in Ephesians 4:31-32 guidelines for grippers.

Find in Philippians 2:1-12 what is true humility, and what is the greatest example of it.

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T&M Student Activity Guide page 47a

Find how competent leaders keep their people content.

• Ask other Christian workers what are the current issues in their fellowships about which people become upset and how they deal with angry members.
• Ask them what biblical principle or practice they followed in dealing with people's ire.
• Since you know that discord and grumbling are strategies of the devil to destroy unity and gospel effectiveness, pray in advance that the Lord will gain the victory and give you patience wisdom.
• As cases arise that you are able to deal with, keep written notes on how the Lord helped you and them. Later, you will be able to advise other workers.