Volunteer Ministers are involved in a variety of community assistance programs such as working with the Red Cross to provide food and clothing to those in need (top). Volunteer Ministers teach study skills to teachers and pupils (top and bottom right). Using techniques known as “assists,” a Volunteer Minister can bring spiritual and physical relief to a person suffering trauma. (bottom left). Others help the elderly with entertainment, visits and good cheer.

VOLUNTEER MINISTERIAL PROGRAM

One way Scientologists help their communities is through the Scientology Volunteer Ministers Program, which is sponsored by every local Church of Scientology.

Volunteer Scientology ministers offer care and aid to neighbors, friends and fellow employees, even strangers. Volunteer ministers may work on their own or together with other volunteer ministers, attending to those in need at hospitals and retirement homes, providing succor and entertainment. They have aided residents in places as diverse as Japan, Germany, France, United States, Italy and the Olympic Village in Atlanta, Georgia, and victims of every possible tragedy, whether natural or man-made.

In their ministries, volunteer ministers use the fundamental Scientology principles and techniques found in The Scientology Handbook. One very important technique every volunteer minister uses is the Scientology “assist,” a procedure L. Ron Hubbard developed to alleviate the spiritual component of physical pain, shock and emotional trauma. Assists work on the principle that one tends to withdraw spiritually from an injured area of the body. By restoring communication with this area, one can bring the spiritual element into healing, thereby greatly speeding the healing process.