Episode 32: When to Use Emergency Discipleship (with Greg Wetterlin)

by | Oct 8, 2024

We often communicate the importance of creating a biblical culture of SoulCare, but what do you do when there’s an urgent need for help — like those 3:00 AM calls when someone is in a literal or figurative emergency room, facing addiction, substance abuse, severe depression or anxiety, sexual immorality, or other critical situations?

In today’s conversation, we are taking a look at the more intensive aspect of discipleship. Joining me is Greg Wetterlin, the Pastor of Men’s Ministries at Faith Church as well as the Director of Restoration Men’s Ministries. Restoration is a ministry dedicated to creating lasting change from life-dominating addictions through a Christ-centered men’s residential ministry.

In this episode, Greg shares why someone may benefit from a more intensive form of discipleship, some of the life-dominating addictions people may suffer from, some of the signs of lasting change, and more.

Listen in!

Resources:

Key Takeaways

  1. Learn to identify who a residential program could benefit. This takes time to learn and it may be different for each person. One of the ways to start is by asking if the issue is severe enough to warrant around-the-clock accountability. Programs like these are helpful, but not always necessary.
  2. Look for lasting change that lasts beyond boredom. Many individuals return to their life-dominating addictions when they encounter boredom. There will come a time in our faith when Christ loses its novelty and your relationship with Him may go through a season where your spiritual habits will be tested. If you are not disciplined, you are likely to let those spiritual disciplines slip and return to your old habits. This is when we look to see if it is a lasting change that will weather boredom and the day-to-day of life.
  3. There are certain situations that require more than what your church can give. You may be hearing this and are hesitant to recommend a program like this. It’s natural to want to keep working with someone; however, there will come a point when a person needs more around-the-clock counseling than what you are able to provide. This is when a residential program like Restoration is beneficial.

 

Meet Greg

Greg Wetterlin is the Pastor of Men’s Ministries at Faith Church as well as the Director of Restoration Men’s Ministries. He and his wife, Erika, joined the Faith staff in 2016. Greg has his M.Div from Faith Bible Seminary.

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