🎥 Video 9C Transcript: How to Encourage Next Steps Without Control or False Promises

Hi, I am Haley, a Christian Leaders Institute presenter.

A Church Community Chaplain often helps people take next steps. This is especially important when someone has a practical need, financial pressure, food insecurity, transportation problems, addiction recovery concerns, or family hardship.

But the chaplain must encourage next steps without control and without false promises.

Do not say, “The church will pay for that,” unless you are authorized to make that decision. Do not say, “I will make sure the deacons help you.” Do not say, “I can fix this.” Those promises may feel comforting in the moment, but they can create disappointment, confusion, and mistrust.

Instead, use honest and hopeful language.

You might say, “I cannot promise what the outcome will be, but I can help you connect with the right process.” Or, “Let’s identify the next faithful step.” Or, “This may be something our deacons, pastor, care leader, recovery ministry, or community partner can help us think through.”

Encouraging next steps means helping the person keep moral agency. The person is not a project. The person is an embodied soul and image-bearer. Even in crisis, people should be treated with dignity, not managed like a problem.

A chaplain can ask, “Who already knows about this need?” “What have you already tried?” “Is there any immediate danger?” “Would you be willing to speak with the deacon or care leader?” “Would it help if I prayed with you before you make that call?”

These questions help the person move toward support without the chaplain taking over.

Sometimes the next step is a church benevolence request. Sometimes it is a food pantry. Sometimes it is a recovery meeting. Sometimes it is a budget conversation. Sometimes it is a pastor, elder, counselor, doctor, shelter, crisis line, or community agency. Sometimes it is emergency help.

A chaplain should know the church’s referral pathway before the need appears. That pathway protects the person, the chaplain, and the church.

When sharing information, use minimum-necessary sharing. Ask permission when possible. Share only what is needed with the right person for the purpose of care.

The Church Community Chaplain is a bridge, not a gatekeeper. A bridge helps people move toward care. A gatekeeper privately decides who deserves help.

So encourage with warmth. Speak honestly. Pray by permission. Connect wisely. Avoid control. Avoid false promises.

That kind of care strengthens mercy ministry and honors Christ.