A Framework for Accountability
A model for prayer ministry is a framework for accountability. Prayer ministry is ministry and all ministry needs accountability. Accountability in ministry by creating boundaries for flourishing as well as explaining why those boundaries exist, is part of what creates a healthy environment.
This means that there are behaviors and practices in the prayer ministry model that allows for a church or organization to hold the people praying for others accountable. This seems simple and clear but is often overlooked when we do not train people with a model for prayer ministry. That accountability includes consistent standards, defined roles, space for feedback, a standard for consequences, and a path to a positive culture. These principles work together to create accountability so that the church or entity has a basis to expect responsibility from the prayer team and provides a covering for those on the prayer ministry team.
Consistent standards means that everyone who is part of the prayer ministry is held to the same standard because they have the same training using the same model. This removes any arbitrary decisions about who can be part of the prayer team and what standard is used with each person. The decision is no longer an individual decision but something that applies to everyone equally.
Clearly defined roles for prayer team members empower them to pray well but also keep them from straying into areas that are not the realm of expertise for prayer ministry such as mental health, relationship counseling, or medical diagnosis. Mental, emotional, relational, and physical issues all are presented during prayer ministry and there should be wisdom to focus on the prayer aspect. The person receiving prayer has made themselves vulnerable and that is honored by staying within the defined role of the prayer minister.
A prayer model also provides a solid foundation for feedback. The guidelines allow for input into how those in prayer ministry treat others and can make positive changes. This feedback loop is important and there should be time to debrief those in prayer ministry as a pathway for growth in to their lives. Feedback should reinforce what is going well and provide direction for areas that need improvement but this can only happen when a model is in place to provide a standard through which feedback can be provided.
A model supplies a way to manage consequences when the model is ignored or being abused. It would be great if this never occurred and leadership did not need to be concerned with this issue. The reality is that there sometimes are people who see models and guidelines as a constraint that they take personally. The reality is far different in that a prayer model provides safety and freedom within the model, especially when there are two people praying together in ministry. When or if people stray from the model in ways that are disruptive or works against what the Lord is doing in that moment, there is clarity about how to deal with the issue because the prayer model provides a clear standard.
Finally a culture of caring and responsible ministry is communicated by having a prayer model. People come into a positive environment where they can understand clearly what is expected of them and why those expectations exist. This clarity is helpful and allows for people to cooperate within the guidelines that a prayer model establishes. A prayer model as a framework for accountability allows for prayer ministry to happen in ways that are healthy and move with how the Spirit is at work.
