How to Start a Chronic Illness Small Group Ministry Paperback – April 7, 2010

This book really addresses the joys and challenges you may face when encouraging the chronically ill, including some of the personalities you may meet in a support group. This type of ministry is not like your typical small group, and Lisa Copen really sheds light on that (not a dismal view, but a realistic and positive view).The discussion about chronic illness ministry in the church applies to any "institution", including business and the media, since there is still such confusion about what to think about people who are "other-abled". We're so taught to see people in certain forms that we're still uncomfortable helping folks who have other needs.The exercises and sample topics are crucial if you're starting a ministry for the first time, because it really prepares you for some discussions you may encounter, which may be more sensitive than you realize going in to a ministry.A lot of knowledge went into this book, and I'm glad we're progressing in our understanding about helping and living with chronic illnesses. Anyone can benefit from this information.

This is an excellent book by an author who is an expert due to life experience with chronic illness. She explains everything one needs to know to start a chronic illness small group ministry. The book is practical, easy to read, and very user-friendly. I recommend it for anyone interested in the subject.

Great Book - We needed direction and guidance on creating a group like this. Book was wonderful for ideas and help in organization. Thanks !!!

This book is amazing! Lots of tips and tricks. It takes the guess work out of starting an illness small group ministry and provides you with a great foundation!

This book met all my expectations.It helped to organize my small group ministry.It is chock full of forms,checklist,resources that help you get started.You dont have to start from scratch.LDixon

Practical ideas presented in an easy to read interesting format. This was a big help...thanks Lisa! Nita Tarr author "Suicidal Christians"

In all honesty I couldn't get past the 4th chapter. I was hoping to keep notes and highlight sections that would be useful but I found myself marking the book up for spelling and grammatical errors, typos, the wrong tense, the use of the wrong word in some cases. More than anything I was put off by the author's pessimistic tone toward churches and their lack of small group ministries for the chronically ill, her seeming opinion that they don't want to do it, and that churches will be resistant to the idea of such a group being started. I could actually go on and on about the issues I have with the book in just the first four chapters but I won't bore you with them, lets suffice to say it was not at all what I expected and I have chosen to not continue reading it at this point.

With typical thoroughness, Lisa has addressed every issue you ever had about starting your own chronic illness small group. She holds your hand as you take the steps to secure a support group for your church or for yourself. As a Bible study leader for a chronic illness small group myself, and author of 2 Bible studies for the chronically ill, "The Silver Bullet: God's Rx for Chronic Pain", and "Choices: Managing Chronic Pain", I can assure you that by the end of this book, you will indeed know what to do if you want to start a large, or small, study group. And don't let the length of the book fool you. You can easily find the specific issues that are of concern within the Table of Contents. So don't assume the task will over-whelm you. Take a tip from Nehemiah: he prayed about the steps necessary for the seemingly impossible task of rebuilding Jerusalem's wall, then he waited upon God before he acted, and finally he moved forward as he was led and rebuilt the wall. You'll find Lisa or myself available when you have questions, though I think this book surely will answer them all!