WhatMisleading Platform with Commercial Not Spiritual Focus: Takes Advantage of Those in Need Went Wrong?
What Went Wrong?
Commercial Focus: The platform's approach to charging for prayers and discussions felt more commercial than compassionate, which contradicts the values they claim to uphold.
Lack of Validation: The platform does not validate the credentials of those applying nor conduct interviews to determine their backgrounds, valid academic credentials, or personalities as befitting compassionate support, ministry to those in need, and empathy.
Risky Practices: The platform's operators themselves clearly lack empathy and charge for such help that can easily be found at any church, youth group, Bible group, mission, or university/other chaplain, making it dangerous and risky as it takes advantage of those in need.
Taking Advantage: The platform takes advantage of those in need, both those seeking to use their skills and those needing help from those skills.
Lack of Transparency: I was encouraged to invest significant time and effort into setting up programs without clear communication about the requirements and approval process.
Misleading Encouragement: The initial interactions led me to believe that my background and programs were well-received and would be approved, only to be dismissed after substantial work was completed.
Unclear Criteria: The platform's criteria for approval seemed inconsistent and weren't communicated upfront, causing confusion and frustration.
How to Improve:
Price Guidelines: Implement guidelines for maximum prices and enforce scaled fees. Prayers and Christian spiritual encouragement should not be charged for. Counseling sessions can be, but should have scaled fees with low maximum costs. Note that much better alternatives exist where such help is provided freely, by those who are not commercially or business oriented but merely wish to help others, and are open minded and compassionate. Anyone who isn't or any agency who claims to provide such a service and lacks compassion and empathy is a red flag and to be avoided at all costs.
Clear Communication: Be upfront about the requirements, criteria, and approval process from the beginning to manage expectations and avoid wasting applicants' time.
Consistent Criteria: Establish and communicate consistent criteria for approval, and be willing to recognize when someone's enthusiasm and unique, highly educated, and qualified background can be valuable.
Genuine Support: Ensure the platform's practices align with its claimed values, focusing on compassion and genuine support rather than purely commercial interests.
Flexible Approach: Be open to compromising and accommodating individuals who bring exceptional credentials and enthusiasm, while transparently communicating their worth and credentials to clients.
Note that much better alternatives exist where such help is provided freely, by those who are not commercially or business-oriented but merely wish to help others and are open-minded and compassionate. Anyone who isn't or any agency that claims to provide such a service and lacks compassion and empathy is a red flag and to be avoided at all costs.
I have worked in missions and am at present qualifying as a physician to work in developing countries on missions and for human aid programs. Such work does not pay well, including for physicians, yet we do it since we genuinely wish to help even if we will not earn much from it financially. That is what Jesus Himself did and what all true religious groups do worldwide regardless of religion or denomination. However, these platform owners didn't see the worth of such a genuine person who wished to aid and could also have helped them make money since that seems to be what they are after.
I have also completed several practicums as a Doctor of Medicine candidate where I wasn't paid at all, but I assisted physicians treat patients including in Emergency Departments and was trained in numerous skills to perform my requirements and aid patients in crisis. I have also volunteered on missions in developing countries where I counselled those we aided. This platform, however, takes advantage of those in need, both those seeking to use their skills and those needing help from those skills.