The
Basic Program
Military
families new to an area and then separated from the servicemember because
of deployment for months at a time go through lonliness, depression and
other difficulties. Young children go through behavioral difficulties at
home and in school because of the abandonment issues they feel when dad
or mom goes on deployment. The church needs to be proactive in reaching
out to military families to help meet these needs to demonstrate the love
of Jesus Christ.
Neighborhood
Support and Fellowship
As
military families move into your neighborhood, introduce yourselves to
them and offer to help unload the moving van or unpack boxes. Perhaps offering
to watch any little children as the parents move things in. Preparing a
meal for them in the evening so they don't have to worry about dinner is
also a meaningful way to welcome the new neighbors.
Deployed
Spouse/Family Support
A servicemembers'
periods of deployment can be lonely times for the spouse and children left
behind. Sometimes wives will withdraw from all social contact during this
time. Depression can affect many and children 'acting out' can become serious
problems. It seems that when the servicemember gets deployed that everything
in the house suddenly breaks down. Often the spouse may not know what to
do or where to turn for help.
An
effective way of providing support for military personnel is to bring together
the civilian spouses in a fellowship/support group while the servicemember
is deployed. This group meets together regularly (monthly or bimonthly
or even weekly). The group provides a system of support for them, an opportunity
to get together and have fun and even commiserate.
They
can meet for an organized "craft time" during the day; or they can meet
one evening a month for a pot luck/game night.
Those
spouses who participate in the group who run into trouble or problems with
something breaking (refrigerator, car, roof leaking, etc.) could turn to
someone in the church who may have the talent, or be in the business, to
help with that difficulty and be a blessing to them.
Family
Mentoring
The
Military Family Support Group could also incorporate scheduling guest speakers
(experts in their field) dealing with topics such as parenting skills,
step parenting, anger management, financial management, dealing with separation
anxiety in children, etc.
If
you are involved with ministering to military families and would like to
offer other ideas and suggestions please feel free to contact us. We would
love to hear your thoughts. Simply click on the mail box below and email
us.
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