Frequently Asked Questions
Exactly how do you work with churches?
Our objective for the Volunteer ministry of Love Your Neighbor is to partner with local evangelical churches by training Christians to reach out to their own family members, to members of their congregation and to people beyond the "church walls" who are in nursing or retirement homes. The key to the success of this ministry in each local church is the Church Coordinator--an individual from that local church body who is trained to champion the ministry in their own church. Rather than asking people from your local church to join Love Your Neighbor, we ask for the opportunity for Love Your Neighbor to join your church, partnering with you in this specialized ministry. Love Your Neighbor Chaplains are trained men and women who serve full or part-time providing pastoral care in healthcare institutions in the name of Christ. One way to describe our ministry is that we are, first of all, Christian; secondly, we are Protestant; and finally, we are Evangelical. However, because healthcare institutions are "pluralistic" in nature, our ministry must be "non-sectarian" in approach. We are committed to being sensitive to the faith backgrounds of each person we minister to. One of our objectives is to attempt to link each individual with his or her own local church pastor or denominational clergy, and with lay people from their own church community. The Chaplain is a resource for drawing the patient and his church together, where possible, but always stands ready to minister in the name of Christ at every opportunity. A primary purpose in both our Chaplaincy and volunteer ministries is ministry that, as Jesus described it, is "a cup of cold water in Jesus' name" a compelling combination of both compassion and confession.
What is the history of your organization?Love Your Neighbor Ministries was founded in 1975 in Tacoma, WA. Rev. Dwight Kinman, our founder, was a hospital Chaplain, but shortly after beginning this ministry, he also became involved in ministry to people in nursing homes. His own personal ministry was multiplied as other chaplains joined Love Your Neighbor, and volunteers were recruited as Chaplain Kinman and his wife, Louise, traveled from church to church, challenging Christians about the opportunity and the need for ministry to people in nursing homes. The Love Your Neighbor corporate office is located in Gresham, OR. Currently our volunteer ministries are focused in the Seattle, Tacoma and Portland areas.
What is your doctrinal statement?We're an evangelical organization, and so our approach to ministry is from within the broader evangelical framework. Our statement of faith closely mirrors that of the National Association of Evangelicals. We would be happy to provide you with a copy.
How is this ministry funded?Love Your Neighbor Ministries is a non-profit, "faith" ministry, provided for by contributions from individuals, churches and other organizations ministry. We are interdenominational and we have no specific denominational underwriting. Our trust is ultimately in the Lord to supply the resources needed for this ministry. If you are interested in giving to Love Your Neighbor Ministries, either as a one-time donation or provide monthly support we ask that you go to the Lord in Prayer and ask HIM what it is you should do.
What if I'm really interested in volunteering?Please tell us which of the following three areas you are interested in: Chaplaincy, volunteering to residents in healthcare settings, or volunteering in our office. Please CONTACT us with your name, address and phone number. We will get back in touch with you as soon as possible.