The Need ... All people experience loss, which causes grief. They need help, support, encouragement and guidance through the grieving process.

1.      Pray for God’s leadership.

2.      Lead the church to commit to and support the ministry.

3.      Recruit and train volunteers.

4.      Develop plans for ministry to church members and persons referred by community agencies.

5.      Contact funeral homes, Hospice units, ministerial groups, hospital and public media.

6.      Build relationships with other community resources and agencies for ministry and referral.

7.      Coordinate plans to respond to trauma, mass casualty, crisis and disasters with local and state authorities.

8.      Set a starting date for the ministry.

9.      Implement the ministry and evaluate periodically.

10.  Contact the Church Planning and Revitalization Department when you begin your chaplaincy volunteer ministry.

 

The Ministry… Bereavement Care Ministries may include:

 

 

COUNSELING REFERRAL
Chaplain volunteers provide a listening ear, a caring heart and a shoulder on which to cry.  They express understanding and acceptance of peoples’ feelings.  They refer individuals to available helping agencies to meet specific needs.

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MINISTRY OF PRESENCE
Chaplain volunteers represent God’s presence in tomes of loss, confusion and grief.

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BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUPS
Chaplain volunteers involve individuals and families in bereavement care support groups to provide a safe environment for the expression of feelings related to the grief process.

 

 

CRISIS RESPONSE
When a major crisis occurs, the chaplain implements the crisis response plan, which includes appropriate supplies and equipment, coordination with authorities and deployment.

RESOURCE INFORMATION AND DISTRIBUTION
Develop and maintain resources for distribution, including brochures, Scripture, tracts, books, tapes and videos.  Build and maintain a referral database, including ministers, chaplains, health care and law enforcement agencies, teachers, and other helping agencies.

 

BEREAVEMENT CARE RESPONSE TEAMS
Use existing resources in the church and develop other resources to meet the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of people in grief (e.g., meals, transportation, health aids, home maintenance assistance, etc.).

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The Reason…The bereaved often lack adequate resources for

Dealing with the realities of their loss.  The chaplain demonstrates God’s love and care and helps them cope with their grief.

 

 

 

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