What is a Health Ministry?

Health: A Special Ministry
Health Ministries are congregation-based holistic health services directed toward the congregation and the wider community, delivered by trained health professionals and lay volunteers. This is inclusive of parish/faith community nurse programs that can be developed as an integral part of a church's program if the resources of a trained Registered Nurse are available. The background training of RN's makes them uniquely qualified to be leaders in this ministry.

A health ministry is a special mission that integrates faith and health, within a faith community, for its members and the community it serves. It is an integral part of the overall ministry of the church, promoting physical, emotional, social and spiritual well-being. Health ministers are many - clergy and laity - coming together to share the compassionate love and grace of Jesus Christ.

A Health Ministry program may encompass the physical, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of a person’s health. Services may include: health screenings, health advocacy, health counseling, transportation ministry, food ministry, bereavement care, prayer shawl ministry, coordination of volunteers, resource and referral services, visitation ministry, and much more. Each program is designed to meet the needs of the specific faith community it serves. Trained lay volunteers of diverse backgrounds bring much richness to a Health Ministry program.

Health Ministries have become a key part of the healing ministry of local churches and communities of faith around the world. Programs have been introduced into mainline denominations, non-denominational and independent churches as well as temples and mosques.

Your Unique Ministry
Although there are basic similarities, each health ministry is unique. For example, the needs and concerns of a rural congregation may differ from those of an urban congregation. A church whose congregation is older will differ from one that has young families and an elementary school. A very large church with several thousand members will differ in many ways from one that has several hundred in the congregation.

Health ministries fit into churches of every size and every faith community.

A Role for Everyone

Before beginning a health ministry, it is essential to lay the proper groundwork and plan ahead, to ensure your ministry will remain a lasting asset to your congregation and the community for many years to come.

Leadership

- Can take the form of a health team, a nurse, a lay member of the congregation, or clergy.

- It is essential to have the approval and support of the pastor and any other governing bodies of the congregation.

- Makes a commitment to sustain the health ministry.

Health Ministry Team

- Team leader coordinates efforts with the pastor and congregation.

- Organizes the ministry in a way that speaks to the unique needs of the congregation and surrounding community.

- Educates members of the congregation about the purpose and functions of the ministry.

Congregation

- Participates in the ministry with “time, talent, and treasure” according to what each person has the ability to offer.

- Communicates with team leaders as new needs or concerns become known.

Community

- Outreach to the community allows a faith community to respond to the command to “love one another”.

- Communities offer many resources that health ministers can use in their work.

- Faith communities can join together and share resources to touch more lives.

Getting Started: Steps for Forming Your Ministry

1. Meet with your pastor and staff or governing board to gain their approval and support.

2. Establish a health team or steering committee to guide the process.

3. Meet with Welborn Baptist Foundation Health Ministry Coordinators for help with planning, training, budgeting,

networking, programming, and potential financial assistance.

4. Make a presentation to your congregation to educate them and gain their interest.

5. Conduct a needs assessment survey for feedback on health needs and concerns of your congregation and

the community.

6. Develop a resource and skill inventory of your members.

7. Set both short-term goals and longer-term goals. Be realistic - choose obtainable goals. Real achievement often

comes one step at a time.

8. Develop a plan to evaluate what your ministry is accomplishing, whom it is serving, and how you can continue

to improve it.

9. Be practical. Keep in mind you are creating a ministry to which your congregation should feel a commitment,

and which they will find worthy enough to sustain.

Typical Start-Up Needs

You may identify certain needs that specially fit your congregation and community. Depending on your needs, suggested items might include:

- Blood pressure equipment

- Scales

- First aid kit

- Locked cabinet for records and supplies

- Office supplies

- Educational materials such as:

-Community Resource Guide

-Home medical manual

-Medical dictionary

-Health-related literature and videos

-Spiritual care resources

Suggested Activities

Activities should be geared to the needs of each individual congregation. Suggested activities might include:

- Health education, such as prevention, and management of chronic conditions

- Programs that connect spirituality and health

- Expectant and new parent programs

- Blood pressure assessments, counseling and referral

- Weight loss, nutrition and exercise programs for children and adults

- Facilitating programs to improve literacy

- Health education library

- Visitation

- Assistance with transportation needs

- Referrals to community services

- Loan closets for assistive devices

- Maintaining a roster of health care workers, sitters, companions

- First aid, CPR, and Safe Sitter training

- Senior citizens’ programs

- Bereavement support

- Health/safety fairs

Foundation Support for Health Ministries

Covenants

- One-time grant, up to $1,000, to initiate new health ministries

- Application through the Foundation’s Health Ministry Coordinators at any time during the year

Grants

- Application through the Foundation’s scheduled grant process, once per year

- Available for initiation, development, and/or expansion of existing health ministries

- Amounts are typically from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the congregation’s needs.

Special Grants

- Available for one registered nurse per congregation to attend the Basic Parish Nurse Education Course

- Available for a congregation member to attend a Foundation-sponsored grant writer’s course at University of Evansville

Advisory

- The Foundation retains two registered nurses as program coordinators to help you discern, develop, and implement your health ministry

- Health Ministry Coordinators can provide training for your team and others at your site

- Program staff at the Foundation will gladly assist you with the grant-making process