DISCIPLEMAKING HEALING MINISTRIES #4: Divorce Care

DISCIPLEMAKING HEALING MINISTRIES #4: Divorce Care

The conversation revolved around personal experiences and insights on leading a Divorce Care Ministry. Karen and Donald shared their own experiences with divorce recovery, emphasizing the importance of healing, support, and forgiveness. Speakers discussed the need for empathy, understanding, and encouragement in supporting individuals going through similar situations. They also shared their experiences with navigating their faith while dealing with family issues, and the role of faith in overcoming adversity. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of having a strong support system and leaders in the Divorce Care Ministry, and the transformative impact of the program on healing thoughts and improving relationships.

Action Items

• [ ] Finalize updates to the DivorceCare for Kids curriculum.
• [ ] Continue leading and co-teaching the DivorceCare classes. (Karen, Donald, Tara) [Throughout]
• [ ] Provide one-on-one support and discipleship to program participants as needed.
• [ ] Consider hosting an “Adult Children of Divorce” seminar.
• [ ] Reach out to the friend’s daughter for support or take a healing class like “Healing as a Choice”.

Outline

Divorce care ministry with testimonies from leaders Karen and Donald.

• Karen Glavine shares her faith journey and God’s impact on her life.
• Karen and Donald share their divorce stories, blessings, and healing in Manasseh.

Mental abuse, divorce, and healing.

• Karen shares her experience of being in a mentally abusive marriage and the impact it had on her sanity.
• Karen and Donald were told they were an inconvenience by their ex-husband, leading to feelings of inadequacy.
• Speaker started a divorce care program after reluctantly agreeing to lead it, despite feeling unhealed and uncertain.
• Speaker found mental strength to be “all in” and fully commit to the program, rather than doing it halfheartedly.
• Speaker shares personal journey of anger and resentment after divorce.

Prioritizing faith over family during a difficult divorce.

• Speaker’s spouse resisted their attempts to bring their son to church, leading to a crisis of faith.
• Speaker 3 shares how their faith in God helped them cope with divorce and bullying.

Divorce healing program with personal stories and song use.

• Speaker 3 met wife Tara in DivorceCare class, blended family resulted.
• Speaker 2 shares their favorite class, Forgiveness, which includes playing Matthew West’s song and burning letters written by participants.
• Speaker 2 and class participants enjoy the powerful videos on YouTube about the song’s story.

Biblical grounds for divorce and encouragement for participants.

• Speaker 2 describes a “magical” class where participants share their experiences and receive encouragement from the group.
• The “forgiveness class” and “potluck class” at the end of the program are modified to fit the group’s needs and preferences.
• Speaker 3 shares personal experience with divorce and emphasizes the importance of understanding biblical grounds for divorce.
• Churches may struggle with supporting divorced individuals due to misconceptions about God’s stance on divorce.

Divorce care for kids and adults, including program updates and importance of team building.

• Divorce care program has helped change participants’ thoughts and relationships.
• Speaker 2 discusses the Divorce Care for Kids program, which has been updated and rebranded as the Crossings Kids Healing Haven.
• Speaker 3 emphasizes the importance of requiring parents to take the class if their child participates in the program.
• Speaker 2 emphasizes the importance of having the same leaders for both adult and child care, ensuring trust and safety for parents and children.
• Team bonding activities and open communication help build a strong support system among participants, which is crucial for the success of the ministry.

Divorce care ministry and safety measures for participants.

• Speaker 3 emphasizes that being a divorce care leader doesn’t require personal experience with divorce.
• The group uses various methods to advertise their classes, including Facebook, church bulletins, and business cards.
• Speaker 3 mentions signing a paper to keep everyone safe, including former or future spouses (0:34:11)
• Speaker 2 talks about eliminating a man from the class who was a target due to safety concerns (0:36:04)
• Speaker 2 shares their personal story of healing and growth after divorce, emphasizing the importance of healing and getting the message out to others.
• Speaker 2 learned to own their story and make others feel safe through their healing journey, which has become a business for them.

Using church programs to heal from divorce and invite others to do the same.

• Speaker 3 shares personal story of how divorce care program helped a Jewish woman find God and healing.
• Small groups and events create family unit and invite kids to church and Bible studies, leading to baptisms and growth.
• Speaker shares personal journey of healing and growth after divorce, emphasizing the importance of choice and faith.
• Network marketing is seen as a ministry, not a business, with the goal of inviting people to learn about Jesus and His message.

Healing and discipleship in a Christian context.

• Speaker 1 emphasizes the importance of supporting people in Manasseh classes, acknowledging the challenges they face.
• Speaker 1 and others discuss the value of healing and growth through Manasseh classes, despite the messiness and sin involved.
• Speaker 1 shares how they were healed and discipled through one-on-one meetings with Karen, resulting in 16 saved marriages and 35 additional baptisms.
• Speaker 1 reflects on the humbling experience of being a part of that ministry, recognizing the power of building relationships and giving help.

Leading a ministry, personal growth, and supporting a friend through a difficult situation.

• Speaker 1 is excited to lead a new ministry, but Robert is hesitant due to gender roles.
• Speaker 1 prays about it and decides to lead the ministry despite Robert’s reservations.
• Joseph reflects on God’s healing and redemption in his life and shares insights on how to support loved ones going through difficult situations.

Divorce, healing, and biblical basis.

• Participants discuss biblical basis for divorce, healing, and reconciliation after divorce.
• Speaker 3 shares their experience with divorce and the impact it had on their childhood.
• Speaker 2 offers advice on how to handle the situation, including giving it to God and practicing self-care.
• Speaker 2 invites others to heal through DivorceCare, despite differences in personalities.

This content was featured at the 2024 Antioch Collective Annual Assembly at The Crossings Church St. Charles County in O’Fallon, MO. For more like this, visit https://antiochcollective.org/