Posts Tagged ‘ medical prc

Client-focused vs. Problem-focused Pregnancy Center

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.

From Global to Linear

Solving Most PRC Vulnerablities: Moving from Global to Linear

Now that we have identified the most common and most damaging vulnerabilities in the medical pregnancy resource center (PRC) what should we do?  What is the next best step?  Listen to Jim Harden teach PRC executives about the paradigm shift required to move from our current global services format to a step by step linear service platform.  It is the best way to reach and serve women seriously considering abortion. 

NOTE:  Before listening to this podcast it is strongly recommended that you first listen to the podcasts dealing with the specific PRC vulnerabilities related to misinformation, misrepresentation, moral entrapment, lack of accountabilty and mission focus.

Moral Entrapment: A Major PRC Flaw

Not many people or training organizations have addressed the issue of moral entrapement in the medical pregnancy resource center.  Yet it seems to happen on a regular basis in the prc movement both in the counseling room and with medical services.  If you don’t know what it is the chances are high that this dangerous and organizationally compromising tactic is happening in your organization.  Listen to Jim Harden define moral entrapment and passionately provide real examples calling the movement back to integrity and excellence.  Every PRC Executive needs to hear this as it is not being adequately addressed.

2 Key Vulnerabilities: Misinformation and Misrepresentation

Listen to Jim Harden give a straight shooting talk to medical pregnancy resource center executives regarding two common areas of internal vulnerability; misinformation and misrepresentation.  Executives can learn what the terms mean whether or not your organization is vulnerable in these areas.

How Mature Is Your PRC and Is Leadership Related?

Listen to Jim Harden coach medical PRC executives regarding understanding overall organizational maturity, leadership and calling.  This is the fourth podcast in a series being released the second week of August.  Some of what Jim says could be considered controversial so feel free to post your comments.

What about sharing the gospel?

Recently there has been a great deal of debate over what the exact role of the medical pregnancy resource center is when it comes to the Great Commission.  Many official statements have been made from National figures and organizations in the movement and many local medical PRCs have debated internally regarding the overall focus of the organization on the the formulaic sharing of the gospel message with patients.  Should it be articulated in the mission statement that organizations ‘share the gospel’ as a primary reason for existence?  There are many positions on this very crucial issue most of which most have been formulated by lawyers or laypeople who are theologically untrained.  What exactly is the Great Commission and what should its role be in the medical PRC?  Listen as Rev. James Harden, M.Div, theologically trained at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago, IL discusses the theological context of the Great Commission and what that then means for us as Executives and the organizations we run.  Click the following link to listen in…

Strengths of the PRC Movement

Investigations of pregnancy resource centers (PRC’s) have been attempted in New York and Oregon recently!  We know that the PRC movement has several strengths such as resources, passion, and positioning for rapid growth.  But for all that, could our vulnerabilities hinder us from accomplishing our mission to erase the need for abortion if an investigation at a state or federal level were to occur?  What are those vulnerabilities and how can we fix them in order to safeguard the future of our organizations?  Click on the link below to listen in on the first of several in a series of talks as Jim describes the strengths and vulnerabilities of the PRC movement.