Founded by Cam Lambert, The One Lost Sheep Ministries focuses on bridging the gap between the church and pornography. Cam has a vision where churches are not only prepared to handle the problem of pornography but for churches to be proactive towards it. This is for individuals who are struggling alone, feel hopeless, lost, discouraged, and about to give up. These individuals can be guided towards healing, community, hope and ultimately to Christ.
The FIRM (Faith Is Renewal of Mind) Coaching Guide is a training guide that will equip current church leaders, pastors, or members to coach individuals in need. It is based on Biblical principles, trust and community.
This guide is for individuals who have overcome their struggle with pornography, received grace and forgiveness and who have a passion to reach out to others in need. Coaches should demonstrate basic Biblical principles, such as confession and showing grace, and have a strong relationship with Jesus Christ. Whether coaches occasionally stumble, have been sober from porn for a year or 10 years, they have a role to play in this battle. Pornography is one of the most pervasive and hidden struggles in the world today and it’s affecting marriages, families, and spiritual health. 75% of Christian men and 40% of Christian women consume pornography. These numbers consist of husbands, friends, sons, brothers, etc. And only 10% of churches report their church has a ministry program for those struggling with porn. Coaches are not claiming perfection but showing that pursuing Christ leads to change. Coaches share their past struggles and guide men to a solution while ensuring their faith is firm.
FIRM is a step-by-step process that prepares coaches for coaching. It is to help the individuals within churches who are either struggling silently or have already opened up about their struggle. It’s meant to create an environment that is safe and comfortable for them to share. Coaches provide encouragement, guidance and hope while finding a solution for the person being coached. This is not a counseling program, its discipleship. Coaches are there for those in need to understand they don’t have to fight this battle alone and that confessing sin is a crucial part in the healing process.
FIRM provides an immediate response and clear pathway for those consuming pornography but wish to walk away from it. FIRM marries Scripture with the latest studies and reports providing a clear picture of what the problem truly is, while providing them with the next step. It opens the door for the Holy Spirit to work within the individual’s life. FIRM has a clear and systematic compilation of practices found within Scripture and geared towards pornography. Following this process will help men rediscover the power of God and Community.
Those expressing interest in becoming a coach are required to go through the FIRM training. This ensures they are not only equipped but confident. All followers of Jesus are capable of and called to be involved in discipleship, regardless of their background, personality, or experience level. Discipleship is not reserved for experts, it is a reproductive process of sharing life, growing in character, and helping others follow Jesus through obedience and empowerment by the Holy Spirit. Some men will be more effective than others in being a coach, but the important thing to realize is, we are all called to this. It’s important that men in the coach position have oversight from their pastor or elders of the church. This ensures accountability in the proper hierarchy within the church. Church leadership must witness fruit within the coach’s life. If no fruit is being produced, if church attendance fades, or the coach is not practicing their faith, this coach is not the best fit and can be more harmful than beneficial.
Coaches are not counselors. They do not replace pastors or therapists. They fall under the authority of the church and are overseen by church leadership. Coaches will encounter difficult situations and conversations. When they do, they are trained on how to refer individuals to specialists. The role of the coach is to provide first-aid, not surgery.
Coaches “set the stage” for men to confess their struggle by making it 100% known that the individual will not be judged, condemned, or looked at any differently. This ensures a smoother, healthier and Biblical process. For eight weeks, coaches walk alongside these men to help the individual realize the harmful effects their sin is contributing to and in the end, equip them to disciple someone themselves down the road. In addition to this, they can host workshops that address common questions for men wrapped up in this situation, such as, “How do I bring this up to my wife?” or “How do I tell a friend?”.
By the end of eight weeks, the coach should have the next steps lined up for the individual being coached. This can be plugging them into existing programs the church offers, getting them involved in a men’s group, referring them to pastoral or professional counseling. By going through this process, coaches are bridging the gap between the church and pornography.
Founder – The One Lost Sheep Ministries