May 2024
In This Edition....
Nuances and Appropriate Responses
Are you a Bot? Or AI?...
Coincidence or Divine Appointment...
Responder Round Table Opportunities
Nuances and Appropriate Responses
So often in conversation, we fail to fully understand what a seeker is asking or what the proper context is. We are often faced with leading questions or topics, but without additional information, we may fail to appropriately respond.
Nuanced Questions Such As:
"I am gay, am I going to hell?"
"I am depressed and feel life is no longer worth living..."
"I need help with forgiveness..."
"I am Trans and my family has rejected me..."
As Responders, we need to understand the situation and context as we develop a fitting approach and response.
For instance, we should probe further by asking questions like,
"Can you share what you mean by being gay?." If someone is facing the temptation of a same-sex attraction, treat it as any other temptation issue and help them learn to resist, battle, and overcome. If someone has made a conscious choice to live a homosexual lifestyle, let them know Jesus loves them but has a perfect design for our sexuality and a better way.
"Are you saying you are clinically depressed or just discouraged?" If clinically depressed, share hope and truth but urge them to follow up with their medical professionals. If just discouraged, share how Christ wants to carry them in hard times and help them find their purpose in life.
"Are you seeking forgiveness from Christ or having trouble forgiving someone?" If they feel they have done too much and are unworthy, help them to understand that Jesus paid their sin debt and share Hope. If they have experienced abuse or betrayal, share the healing found in Christ and help them to understand that forgiveness is a choice.
"Can you share what you mean by Trans, as that means different things to different people?" If they are struggling with their identity, show how Christ has a purpose for their life as HE created them. If they have undergone transition therapy or surgery, then share the Hope and love of Christ, helping them to re-focus their efforts on allowing Christ to live in and through them.
The key in ALL Conversations is Context!!! Understanding the context will help us craft an appropriate response.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out via e-mail at chris@needhim.org
Conversation Management...
"Are you a bot or AI?"
The growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our world is accelerating. The most common application for AI in many of our lives is the ever-present chatbot. This has led more of our guests to question us as we meet seekers online.
We encourage you to use the question as an opportunity to connect with the guest and “break the ice”. Often simply sharing your name and a simple descriptor of yourself such as husband, daughter or parent helps the guest move past the bot question.
You can also remind them that we are a Christian ministry comprised of a diverse group of volunteers who are here to meet people, listen to their stories, and share the Good News of Jesus. You may also want to use phrases that help assure seekers of your humanity, such as:
These simple phrases reflect your humanness and a desire to connect. These are not phrases that most chatbots use and should help convince the guest to move forward trusting you. If they want to continue down this path then you can simply share that we are a ministry that for 28 years has been about live conversation to meet people with hope and we do not believe in using bots to help someone know, trust, and obey Jesus.
If questions please reach out by email at: chris@needhim.org
Coincidence or Divine Appointment...
Is it a Coincidence or a Divine Appointment?
At Need Him, we strongly believe that Every Conversation is an opportunity to share the Grace and Hope of Jesus Christ!!!!!
When someone speaks of divine appointments, they are likely referring to an extraordinary event or spiritual encounter in the life of a Believer. The timing, purpose, and outcome seem to be orchestrated by God rather than random chance or coincidence.
I do not want to "over-spiritualize" connections that we have online with seekers, but I firmly believe that when we submit daily to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to lead our interactions, God seems to show up. It is amazing how often God will bring me a chat or interaction to which I can uniquely relate. We each have a unique testimony and story of redemption and I feel that the Spirit wants to use our individual stories to relate to and meet the needs of Seekers. This is one reason why we never script our Responders.
Some might call a divine appointment, a "God Moment". These seemingly uncommon occurrences will often be turning points in our faith journey as we grow in our understanding and discernment as we minister to others. In Ephesians 2:10, the Apostle Paul tells us... "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them".
God wants to use us and to complete His divine purpose in and through us. It is a blessing beyond measure when we experience those moments when God powerfully uses us to impact the lives of others. Scripture is full of "divine appointment" encounters, like Jesus speaking with the woman at the well, Peter and Cornelius, Philip and his encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch and Joseph's experience when being sold by his brothers,
A few days back, I had a very difficult and frustrating conversation with an argumentative seeker. There is no way I would have categorized it as a "divine appointment".... However, throughout the evening, God began to convict me, about me, and how I managed the situation. God began to show me flaws in my approach and pointed out areas where I needed to show grace as a faithful Responder. I confessed my errors and asked God to give me another chance with the same seeker or to bring them back to someone who would be able to show the love of Christ.
Divine Appointment? Not Sure; however, God used that conversation in a powerful way to teach and grow me. I am beginning to see and learn how God can use every conversation, even the difficult ones, to grow and stretch us. The Hand of God is at work and when we willingly submit and yield to Him, He will complete His purpose and fruit will abound. I encourage you to embrace each conversation, regardless of the topic, and allow the Spirit to speak in and through you.
(Portions Excerpted From GotQuestions.org/divine-appointment)
Responder Round Table Opportunities
This will be a great time of fellowship with other Responders as we respond to questions in a live setting. We will also provide a brief update on the following three areas: "Recent Trends in Conversations" / "Looming Identity Crisis" / "Mile Markers in the Christian Walk".
This will be a working session (via Zoom) where you can freely dialogue, ask questions, and participate in group collaboration. Plus, we have several "Ministry Trivia Questions" to keep you on your toes. (with prizes.....)
We have several sessions to choose from.
Tuesday, 5/14 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm CST
Thursday, 5/16 from 10:00 to 11:00 am CST
Wednesday, 5/22 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm CST
Respond to chris@needhim.org of your interest and we will forward the appropriate Zoom Link...
In closing, please know that we are incredibly grateful for each of you giving your time to "respond" to those with questions and to share the Gospel. Please let us know if we can be praying for you in a specific way. Blessings to you...
Need Him Global - - - Chris, Pete, Julie, Karen and Cathy
