Ministry to the Fallen

[OneAccord]

Sunday, on the way to church, I stopped by to see a brother in the Lord that I haven't seen in many years. We use to attend church together and he was a man on fire for the Lord. However, I had heard through the grape vine that "George" had backslidden.

It must have been of the Lord for me to go see him because I only had a vague idea as to where he lived. As I turned off the highway onto the street he lived on, I noticed a car behind me. It turned into a drive way, so, I thought I'd turn around and go back and ask this man if he knew where "George" lived. Guess what? He WAS "George". I couldn't believe it. It actually was him.

We went into his house and within a few minutes, he was aking me if I minded if he took a "sip". I said, "No...go ahead", and kept on talking to him about the Lord. (Actually, he took more than a "sip", he took a "swig". Several "swigs".) Before the alcohol began to take it affect, "George" began crying and said he desperately wanted to make things right with the Lord. Before I left, I went to a nearby restaurant to get him some food, and made sure he ate it. By then, though talking to him was no use... I left him my phone number and promised to return in a few days.

I missed church. So, I came home, thinking about other people I knew that was backslid. Donnie... Tim... and others. I've even been thinking of Glen Summerford, the snake handler, who tried to kill his wife by forcing her hand into a rattlesanke cage. He's doing something like 99 years in prison here in Alabama- prison is filled with people who once knew the Lord. What a ministry it would be to reach out to these fallen brothers (and sisters).

So... my question...if you felt led to begin a ministry of trying to reclaim fallen brothers and sisters in the Lord, what would be your approach? How would you reach out to them? Condemnation? Shame? Love? Compassion? Would you have remained in the situation I mentioned a minute ago, or would you have told "George" that you didn't want him to drink (or smoke) while you were there?

I'm asking because I have a real desire to reach out to my fallen brothers... and I'm considering doing some writing about ministering to the backslidden. Already got the title..."Just beyond that wall". You input is appreciated.