Jesus through His death and resurrection addressed the single greatest problem of humanity; sin and the separation from God it caused. By focusing on solving the problem common to all it became the epitome of all solutions, able to elegantly apply to each individual. Likewise, running a Pregnancy Resource Center (PRC) ministry with a clear understanding of the common problem of unplanned pregnancy faced by the women we serve is important. But even more important is the ability to clearly articulate the common path to solving that problem, which is the same despite the particular circumstances of each woman. If a PRC attempts to engage each woman as she comes with no clear, distinct path of helping her understand the nature of unplanned pregnancy and what her options are in terms of solving the problem, it is difficult at best to consistently see women at risk for abortion having their babies. Without a plan and process for solving the problem every woman faces it is almost impossible to have a relevant solution for any woman. It is only after we become experts at solving the problem of unplanned pregnancy that we are free to engage each woman’s unique situation. How does a ministry like CompassCare arrive at the process that best solves the problem of unplanned pregnancy for women seriously considering abortion? It is through consistent prayer for wisdom and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. To be sure the Holy Spirit guides groups of people into making decisions and taking action (Acts 13:1-3, 15:28; 16:6-7; 20:28) just as He guides individuals. Therefore, we believe that CompassCare should expect that the Holy Spirit is able to guide us as we build and organize to achieve that vision through highly developed and measurable systems. In fact, we are told that the very redemptive work of Jesus on the cross was “according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23, see also Acts 4:28; Luke 22:22). A ministry is essentially an organization of people designed to redeem the situation of a person or a community of persons with a specific type of problem. Jesus knew what He needed to say and do for specific “audiences”, as well as the timing and content of His message to them (Matthew 13:10-17; 15:24; 16:21; Luke 4:18-19).
CompassCare represents a new generation of PRCs moving from a loose ‘client-centered’ model to a highly defined ‘problem-focused’ model. Being problem-focused (the quintessential unplanned pregnancy solution provider) allows the organization the ability to accurately measure what works and what does not and make targeted and prayerful changes to see more lives saved and more women come to Christ.
In what is known as the “Parable of the Talents” (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus describes a principle of the kingdom of heaven in terms of responsible stewardship leading to increase. The size of the responsibility may vary (vs 15) but the requirement and accountability do not. The servants who proactively engaged in activity to fulfill their responsibility were commended as “good and faithful servants”. However, the one who reactively was passive acting out of fear was condemned as “wicked and slothful”. The main point Jesus is making with this parable is that those who are wise stewards with what they have been given (no matter what amount that is) will demonstrate that stewardship by having a tangible increase (profit, fruitfulness) and then will be rewarded by being given even more. However, those who fearfully try to protect what they have will lose even the little that they have because of their poor stewardship (vs 29).
Jesus says in Matthew 11:19 “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”
CompassCare network deeds 2009: 1847 babies saved, 154 women committing their lives to Christ.
Listen to Jim Harden as he teaches Executives of medical Pregnancy Resource Centers on the importance of making the shift from the traditional client-focused, ‘global’ services model to a problem-focused, ‘linear’ service model.