THE ROLE OF AN ALTAR MINISTER

• Facilitate the Holy Spirit's ministry to a person.

• Follow established NC Altar Team ministry protocol. (While individuals may have their own ministry styles or techniques, when serving on the NC Altar Team we commit to following the same shared protocol. This helps us minister in unity, maintain consistency, and serve together effectively as one team.)

• Listen, listen; love, love. (Love is the motivation for all ministry.)

• Your role is not to function as a counselor or to rebuke or correct people during ministry.

QUALITIES OF AN ALTAR MINISTER

• Keeps relationship with God first and foremost

• Carries a servant's heart of humility

• Walks in holiness, forgiveness, and love

• Remains teachable and flexible

• Exhibits the fruit of the Spirit

• Is full of the Holy Spirit

ALTAR GUIDELINES

PRAYING IN PAIRS

• When possible, altar ministers should serve and pray in pairs. During Sunday morning services, male/female ministry teams are encouraged when available.

• Altar ministers should always exercise wisdom, healthy boundaries, and accountability while ministering to individuals, especially when praying for someone of the opposite sex.

GREETING AND MINISTERING TO A PERSON

• Have good breath.

• Smile.

• Introduce yourself.

• Help the person feel at ease.

• Ask the person's name (if unknown).

• Repeat the person's name to help remember it.

• Ask how you can pray for the person.

• Keep your eyes open when ministering.

BEING LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

• Sometimes a person comes forward seeking prayer for one thing, while the Holy Spirit may desire to minister more deeply or reveal another area of need.

• As altar ministers, we should prayerfully listen both to the individual and to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom, discernment, and direction as you minister.

• Be sensitive, humble, and Spirit-led, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide the prayer time while continuing to honor and care well for the person receiving ministry.

PHYSICAL CONTACT DURING MINISTRY

• If appropriate, altar ministers should ask permission before making physical contact while praying. For example: “Do you mind if I place my hand on your shoulder as we pray?”

• On a Sunday morning at New Covenant, placing a hand on a person’s shoulder with permission should be the primary and most common form of physical contact during ministry time.

• If an altar minister feels led by the Holy Spirit to anoint someone with oil, permission should always be obtained beforehand before applying oil to a person’s head, hands, or any other area.

• When praying for physical healing, if the affected area is non-sensitive (such as an arm, shoulder, foot, or eyes), the altar minister may gently place a hand near or on that area after receiving permission. For sensitive areas of the body, the individual should place his or her own hand on the affected area, and the altar minister may ask permission to place a hand on top of the person’s hand while praying. When praying for healing in a sensitive area, it may be more appropriate for a same-sex altar minister to provide any necessary physical contact during ministry.

• All physical contact during ministry should be appropriate, respectful, minimal, and guided by wisdom, honor, and healthy boundaries.

• Avoid rubbing or massaging.

• Never push or pull on anyone.

• After ministry takes place, a hug may sometimes be appropriate. Use wisdom and be mindful of personal boundaries and comfort levels. When ministering to someone you do not know well or who is new to the church, always ask permission before initiating a hug or other physical contact. Use side hugs with the opposite sex.

MAINTAINING CONFIDENTIALITY

• Altar ministers have a responsibility to keep matters confidential.

• Confidential information should not be discussed with team members unnecessarily.

• There are, however, certain situations that must be reported. As an altar minister, you are a mandated reporter.

• If someone discloses abuse, neglect, self-harm, suicidal intent, danger to others, or any situation involving the safety of a child or vulnerable person, immediately involve a NC pastor. Do not promise absolute confidentiality in situations that require reporting or intervention.

GENERAL PRAYER SUGGESTIONS

LOVE IS THE MOTIVATION

• Love is the motivation for all ministry.

• "And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:2).

• Always minister from a place of compassion, humility, and genuine care for the person in front of you.

LISTEN TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

• Before immediately speaking or praying at length, you may consider taking a few moments to quietly pray in the Spirit under your breath and listen for the leading of the Holy Spirit. This helps you become sensitive to what the Lord may be saying, revealing, or wanting to do in that moment as you minister to the person.

• Pray with your eyes open. This allows you to remain aware of what is happening physically around you while also staying attentive to what the Holy Spirit may be revealing spiritually. Being observant can help you recognize a person’s comfort level, emotional responses, physical needs, or if additional help is needed during ministry.

MINISTER WITH WISDOM AND CARE

• Do not rebuke, correct, or give advice carelessly.

• Share and/or pray Scripture.

• Share a quick personal testimony when appropriate.

• If advice is given, keep it minimal and Spirit-led.

• Always point people toward Jesus and Scripture, and encourage personal discernment and pastoral counsel.

PROPHETIC MINISTRY GUIDELINES

• Prophetic ministry should encourage, strengthen, and comfort rather than control or manipulate (see 1 Corinthians 14:3).

• Avoid giving highly directive prophetic words regarding relationships, relocation, marriage, finances, or major life decisions. (Avoid prophesying about marriage, money, and moves.)

• Be careful not to speak in a way that pressures people or removes their responsibility to seek the Lord personally.

• Minister with humility, avoiding exaggerated claims or unnecessary certainty when discerning what the Holy Spirit may be saying.

• All ministry impressions, words, or promptings should be tested and remain consistent with Scripture and the character of Jesus.

HELPING PEOPLE RECEIVE TRUTH

• If a person makes a statement that reveals a lie they are believing about themselves, you may gently ask them to close their eyes while you ask the Lord out loud, “Jesus, what is the truth?”

• Give the person a few moments to listen and process.

• If they do not sense the Lord saying anything, it may be appropriate to ask, “Is there anyone you need to forgive?”

• Sometimes unforgiveness, wounds, or past experiences can make it difficult for a person to receive truth clearly.

SAVED COMPLETELY

• SOZO (Greek pronunciation: sode'-zo) means “to save, heal, deliver, protect, and make whole.”

• In the New Testament, this word is used to describe not only salvation from sin, but also healing, restoration, deliverance, and wholeness through Jesus Christ.

• We have the incredible opportunity to minister to people who need salvation, healing, freedom, and restoration—trusting the Holy Spirit to bring the wholeness that is found in Jesus.