Basic steps in beginning a health ministry:

1. Learn all you can about health ministry. Valuable information can be obtained by studying the resources suggested and talking to others involved in health ministry.
2. Pray for God's will, timing, direction and guidance.
3. Along with others who are interested, present health ministry information to your pastor.
4. Communicate the idea of health ministry to the congregation by:
   1. church bulletin
   2. newsletter
   3. bulletin boards
   4. presentations to groups and committees in the church
   5. sermons given by the pastor that discuss the connection between spirituality and health
5. Organize a health ministry committee
   1. Evaluate the most appropriate organizational position for the health committee
   2. Establish purpose and goals
   3. Identify resources within congregation - volunteers, health professionals, educators, fundors, administrators
   4. Identify resources in community in order to avoid duplication. Focus on doing what the congregation does best. Find out where resources are inadequate, inaccessible or unavailable.
   5. Determine model (paid or non-paid) and number of hours
   6. Develop budget and fund development plan
   7. Recruit and hire health minister
   8. Plan, implement and re-evaluate health ministry
6. Hold a commissioning service after selecting the health minister and forming a health committee. This validates health ministry and raises the awareness of the congregation to this important new ministry.
7. Survey the members about their health needs and concerns. Prioritize identified needs/wants. This data can then be used to guide you in developing appropriate health ministry activities.
8. Educate the congregation and yourselves. Each week in the Sunday Bulletin there can be health news bits. Include in the church Newsletter information about healthy lifestyles, nutrition and exercise. Educational seminars and workshops can give valuable information about health and wellness.
9. Post health information that you obtain from community hospitals, and agencies such as the Red Cross, American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, Health Department, and Area Agency on Aging.
10. Offer educational programs to members who wish to volunteer. Many programs exist that are designed to train lay volunteers in health ministry. These could be very valuable in training your volunteers. Here are just a few of those available:
    1. The Befriender Program - spiritually based, skill focused, pastoral training program: The Befriender Program, University of St. Thomas, 2260 Summit Avenue, #5010, St. Paul, Minnesota 55105, (612)647-5090.
    2. The Stephen Ministries Program - developed by a Lutheran Pastor, in order to better equip lay persons to help with crisis, caring ministry: Stephen Ministries, 1325 Boland Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63117, (314)645-5511.
    3. Helpful resource book for care givers: "Called to Care, A Notebook for Lay Care Givers", United Church of Christ, 800 N. Third St. Suite 202, St. Louis, MO 63102.

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Concerns and issues to address in considering a health ministry:

Since health ministry is a fairly new concept, questions and concerns are raised when this idea is presented to congregations across the country. Thousands of congregations are involved in health ministry and answers to these concerns are available.

Some concerns and issues are listed here in order to prepare you for the likely possibility that someone in your congregation will raise them. Before presenting health ministry to your congregation, read through these and prepare. We think that most of the answers can be obtained in this manual. If you need further information please contact one of us to assist you. As we have assisted in the development of health ministries over the years in congregations across the country, we've been challenged with opportunities to think about these questions and come up with suggestions and information that will be helpful in your situation.

1. Define the goals of the Health Ministry and the statement of purpose. What is the main focus (prevention, training of volunteers, wellness, health screening, visitation, health counseling)?
2. Define the limitations. What will the health committee do? What will the health minister do? What won't they do?
3. What are the lines of accountability?
4. How will the ministry be implemented?
5. What is our theology about health ministry? What are the theological concepts that motivate us to want to be involved in a Health Ministry.
6. What model will we use?
7. What are the needs of the congregation that a health ministry could meet?
8. How, when, and by whom will the program be evaluated?
9. What strategies are needed to achieve the implementation of the health ministry?
10. How will personnel be selected? Will we hire someone from within the congregation or someone who is not a member? What qualifications and training will be required? Who and how will supervision and accountability be handled?
11. What is involved in developing a liaison relationship with community resources such as the health department, home health agencies, the medical community, service clubs, hospitals, health related agencies, etc.?
12. What concerns must we address regarding liability exposure?
13. What shall the role of the health minister be?
14. What shall the role of lay volunteers working in health ministry and what kind of training will be provided for them?
15. How will the program be funded?
16. How much funding will be necessary?
17. How shall we develop clearly stated measurable (in terms of evaluation) standards and practices and what shall they be?
18. What are the possibilities for in-service for a health minister?
19. How will we address confidentiality concerns?
20. What will guide the health minister and lay volunteers in responding to an emergency situation?
21. What/who will serve as a professional support network for the health minister?
22. How shall we address and monitor professional ethics, legal requirements (e.g. reporting suspected cases of child abuse)?

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