HIV/AIDS Ministry
Schubert Shears Scholarships - offered by TEN for those living with HIV/AIDS and that meet qualifications. See the Scholarships page for more information.
Getting Started - Developing an HIV/AIDS Ministry in your Church
Samaritan Ministries provides what is called The Samaritan Model for reaching out to people with HIV/AIDS in our community. Many of their points indicated here can be useful to our churches. The first step in changing the relationship between the HIV/AIDS community and the church is to provide opportunities for church members to learn about HIV/AIDS. The can be done through educational programs that should include the following:
- A message of compassion from the pulpit
- HIV lessons directed at every age level
- Special programs targeting the youth
- Development of a church policy or statement concerning HIV/AIDS
- Use the words "We need to talk about sex if we are going to talk about HIV"
A Christian Response to AIDS is a great brochure that can be used for discussion in your church. This brochure discusses scripture and the need for service and compassion to those dealing with HIV/AIDS.
This brochure is published by Channing Bete which has a number of educational brochures regarding HIV/AIDS.
It is vital that the position of the church be one that provides a non-judgemental and compassionate approach to serving the needs of those suffering with HIV/AIDS without questions the guilt or innocence of the person. We don’t need to know ‘how they got it.’
Developing an HIV/AIDS Awareness Service - see our Resource page.
Ministering in the community:
There is a great mistrust in the HIV community concerning the church and much of this mistrust is warranted. Messages of hate and condemnation from Christian people have caused many people to view the church as the enemy. It takes time to change these perceptions. Some guidelines that might help:
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Go slowly. Trust building is essential
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Help existing programs before trying to start your own. Watch and listen
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Be willing to partner with secular groups, acting as volunteers. Set Evangelistic goals aside and demonstrate faith by example. Be a servant.
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Minister first to physical need.
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In matters of religion, let the client take the lead.
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Do not preach.
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Do not judge.
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Touch! It's Magic!
AIDS - Finding Hope and Compassion – this brochure by Bill Crowder, seeks to open our hearts and minds to the history of crisis, the human toll it is exacting, and Christian response that mirrors the spirit of Christ. You can obtain this brochure through the Discovery Series or review the contents in the attached AIDS - Finding Hope and Compassion PDF file.
Additional Church Resources are available at Samaritan Ministry http://samaritancentral.org/
Other websites to review:
Center for Disease Control (CDC) www.cdc.gov/nineandahalfminutes/index.html
CDC HIV/AIDS Resource – www.cdc.gov/hiv
Complete HIV/AIDS Resource www.TheBody.com
Rick and Kay Warren’s HIV/AIDS Newsletter www.hivandthechurch.com
Comprehensive Resource for HIV Information – www.stophiv.org
He Intends Victory - http://heintendsvictory.org/
Act Against AIDS - http://www.actagainstaids.org/
Support:
Find ways to support the work and the need in our community.
Support local agencies – Find non-profit groups in your community that are helping and help them both physically and with money.
Support The Evangelical Network's Schubert/Shears Scholarship Fund which helps people living with HIV/AIDS who have financial need attend the annual conference. Donations can be made through the donation page by selecting the Schubert Shears Scholarship Fund.
Support national and international organizations – have a favorite? Let us know and we can link to them.
Camp Laughing Child in Mexico for Children impacted by HIV/AIDS - http://www.laughingchild.org/
Other Resources:
Devotional Guide - Directing Prayer and Scripture Toward HIV/AIDS
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