Process Experiences
Wounded staff associates are loved and cared for by God. He is constantly at work helping them recover from the wounds they have received. One of the most important ways God helps his wounded children is by using process and encounter experiences to expedite recovery. A process experience is a Holy Spirit-directed word, meeting, or circumstance that aids wounded associates in their quest to gain perspective. Process experiences can seem like chance happenings or accidental occurrences. However, in actuality they are planned and directed by God who actively seeks to grant perspective to those in need. Perspective can come by way of a Scripture verse, an internal voice, or even a casual conversation. Such workings seem natural enough, but they are intensely spiritual and wonderfully practical. Process experiences help associates sort out what happened, so they can make sense of their pain and move on. As an example of this sort of process, look at the story told by Andy, a former associate who had been mistreated and wrongfully terminated by his senior pastor. Weeks after the termination his mind could still not move beyond wondering why the senior pastor had treated him so abusively. It was a mystery that tormented him night and day. One evening, seemingly by chance, Andy met a man who was a long-time friend of the senior pastor. The man told him that years earlier the senior pastor had been terribly hurt by a trusted church member. As a result, from time to time, the senior pastor experienced periods of depression marked by fits of paranoia. This paranoia would often motivate him to make regrettable decisions. After hearing the story, Andy was able to see his former boss in a new light. He thanked God for the experience of talking to this man, because in the process he found perspective.

Encounter Experiences
Encounter experiences are similar to process experiences, but their purpose is to bring healing. Wounded associates feel great pain due to the mistreatment they received. Trust injuries cut deeply and leave agonizing scars. It is the Lord's will to heal associates using means that are both creative and unique. Consequently, wounded associates can look forward to experiencing the love and warmth of Christ at every turn. For wounded associates, there is a "balm in Gilead" that soothes and heals. God often sends sensitive and caring people to apply this healing ointment on His behalf.

Bill and Phyllis are two associates who experienced an encounter experience that led them to be healed. Bill and Phyllis served a large church as a husband and wife youth pastor team. For a time everything was wonderful. The couple's ministry was fruitful, they were expecting a child, and with the senior pastor's approval they bought their first house. However, suddenly and without warning they were abusively fired. They were blamed for doing things they did not do and accused of saying things they did not say. It was rumored that the pastor wanted to fill the position with someone else, but felt he had to discredit the popular couple to make the change seem like their fault. Worse yet, the severance agreement stipulated that the couple would forfeit an amount of money if they were not out of town in a week. This meant they would not be able to properly say goodbye to friends or even sell their home before it was time to leave. Furthermore, because of the short notice, they were forced to move in with Phllis' parents. Out of time and with no prospects in sight, they left town heartbroken and confused.

Bill and Phyllis' encounter experience came ten days after their departure, when two church elders took it upon themselves to seek out the couple. They felt God directing them to offer an apology on behalf of the church. The elders felt horrible about how the couple had been treated. They told Bill and Phyllis that the senior pastor had acted in a wrongful and sinful manner. They pledged to restore the couple's good name and promised to give perspective employers a glowing recommendation. The four individuals wept, hugged, and prayed together. Afterward Bill and Phyllis expressed thanks to God. Because of the encounter, they had experienced His healing touch.

As these stories indicate, it is the Holy Spirit's delight to set up process and encounter experiences for wounded staff associates. With this in mind, it is completely appropriate for wounded associates to actively seek God's aid through trusted people who are willing to assist. Forming process and encounter groups, therefore, can be a great help and blessing. Such groups seek to cooperate with the Holy Spirit as He works to grant perspective and promote healing.

What Process and Encounter Groups Mean for the Wounded
Process and encounter groups give wounded people an opportunity to tell their stories, vent, assess, grieve, and pray. It helps the wounded create a language of pain they can use to give full voice to their complaint. Such groups emphasize being open and honest. For example, one person may be full of praise to God, another weeping, while a third utters a four-letter word to describe the abusive treatment. In process and encounter groups honest expression is encouraged because God loves it when people are real and genuine. He feels the pain of those who have been sinned against. He refreshes and provides forward momentum as they dare to believe Him to be their ever-present help (Ps. 46:1). In process and encounter groups, the Holy Spirit binds up the hearts of the grieving. He helps them avoid self-pity and self-righteousness. It is God's will for wounded staff associates to rise up from the ashes of senior pastor mistreatment by the power of the Spirit. As God wipes away their tears, He whispers that He will be their strength and vindication (Ps 37:18-19).