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Parish Health Ministry: A Primer for Parish Involvement
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Section One: Parish Health Ministry
What steps can a parish can take to implement a health ministry program?
The crowds, meanwhile, learned of this and followed Him. He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God and He healed those who needed to cured.
—Luke 9:11
These basic steps will assist a parish in beginning the process of implementing health ministry. The order and timing of the steps may differ from place to place depending on the parish history, who is coordinating the ministry, interests, skills, resources (human, monetary, etc...), and the health care needs within the parish. The parish should determine who will be involved in these steps - the pastor/parish director, pastoral staff, the parish nurse, a parish health ministry committee, the parish council, other committees such as human concerns. A realistic timeline needs to be determined.
Information relating to many of the steps be cured, below should be put in writing, such asroles and responsibilities, supervision, human resource issues, identified health-care needs, parameters, goals and objectives, and budgetary matters.
- Clearly define what parish health ministry is.
- Review the parish mission statement and Scripture to determine how health ministry can be a part of parish outreach, and evangelization.
- Evaluate what is already in place in the parish that might be considered health ministry.
- Network and communicate with parish leadership (staff, parish councils and committees).
- Explore potential roles, responsibilities, and parameters pertaining to healthcare ministry in the parish.
- Assess and prioritize healthcare needs in the parish (major step).
- Look at the identified needs in the parish and determine an initial project or two.
- Identify and write down goals, objectives, and action steps for parish health ministry.
- Determine who to invite to participate in planning, implementing and evaluating of these projects and goals. Be aware of the work of parish committees, such as human concerns, personnel, and parish planning.
- Work with staff and committees to determine resources to meet the identified needs and whether the parish should obtain the services of a parish nurse.
- Enlist support from staff and parish leadership to ensure resources to support parish health ministry.
- Build a support network among pastoral staff, parish leadership, volunteers, and others.
- Be aware of community resources in healthcare to increase networking and avoid duplication.
- Strive for good communication to keep parish leaders, council and committees, and parishioners informed of health ministry through personal contact, bulletins, newsletters, bulletin boards, etc...
- Evaluate parish health ministry activities regularly, make necessary adjustments and delineate the next steps.
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