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Prayer Ministry
Framework for Developing a Healing Ministry: Part I
by Elizabeth Coleman (from the Sept/Oct 2003 issue)
Many people have contacted Christian Healing Ministries (CHM) through the years for practical suggestions in developing a healing ministry within their local church. For that reason, we thought we would provide a general framework in order to help you get started. CHM uses the following guideline in a similar way and has found it to be very effective:
1. Have the Pastor's blessing and approval: It is very important to have the Pastor's spiritual blessing and support before beginning a new ministry. It is also helpful for the Pastor to preach and teach about healing in order to affirm the healing ministry.
2. Coordinate an Intercessory Prayer Group: Pray and enlist the support of at least four intercessors that will commit to pray weekly for the healing ministry, the healing ministry leaders and all of the prayer ministers.
3. Appoint a Director: The director is usually selected by the Pastor and provides the leadership and general supervision of the healing ministry. He/she is under the authority of the Pastor and establishes the Prayer Ministry Training Program.
4. Appoint a Training Assistant: The Training Assistant works closely with the Director and provides in-depth training with all new prayer ministers on a regular basis.
5. Teach and Train Prayer Ministers: The Director and Training Assistant, using Christian Healing Ministries School of Healing Prayer Levels I, II and III, provide a training program for new prayer ministers. CHM also recommends that each prayer minister read the following books: Healing, by Francis MacNutt; Deliverance from Evil Spirits, by Francis MacNutt; Praying for Your Unborn Child, by Judith and Francis MacNutt; and The Holy Spirit and You, by Dennis Bennett.
6. Educate the Church: It is important for the church to understand the healing power of God available to them through prayer. The Prayer That Heals, by Francis MacNutt is a wonderful introduction to the healing ministry of Jesus. This book encourages people to begin to pray and receive prayer from family and friends, and is an excellent resource for small groups or Sunday school classes.
