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MULTI-HOUSING CHAPLAINCY
HIGH INCOME
The Need ... Florida is home to many upper-income families
who want their homes to be shelters from the storms of corporate and community life. Behind their stone walls and wrought-iron gates, they still face basic human needs. Their need for privacy and choice of life-style create a barrier to traditional ministry. Chaplaincy is the best road into their communities.
The Target ... Chaplains minister to wealthy families
in condominiums, gated communities, exclusive town homes, and luxury yacht communities.
The Process ... To begin a chaplaincy program:
1. Pray for God’s leadership.2. Recruit a chaplain with the following characteristics: strong faith and convictions; highest ethical and moral integrity; professional bearing; non-judgmental; good self-esteem; feels comfortable with upper-income families; good relational skills; good communication skills.
3. The chaplain makes an appointment with the senior representative of the condominium or homeowners’ association to determine the need.
4. Meet and discuss the needs.
5. Share ways a volunteer chaplain meets the needs.
6. Define the expectations of the association and the chaplain.
7. Follow up the meeting with a letter outlining the expectations.
8. Plan programs with the association to meet the needs..
9. Secure the needed resources.
10. Set a starting time and begin the ministry.
11. Meet regularly with the association to evaluate the program.
The Ministry… Ministry of Presence
The chaplain moves among the peo0le through selected visitation and participates in social and recreational opportunities. His visibility builds positive relationships and instills confidence. His presence represents the religious life and reminds the wealthy of their relationship to God.
COORDINATION OF RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES
The chaplain will schedule and supervise groups desiring to provide religious ministries at the facility. The chaplain plans and coordinates ministries in the facility as well as for the community.
FAMILY MINISTRIES
Family problems exist as extensively in high-income families as other socio-economic levels. Divorce, parent-child relationships, teenage suicide, substance abuse, and wealth reflect an urgent need for ministry. Although building relationship with wealthy families seems more difficult, the wealthy family member needs someone to care, to understand and one in whom to confide.
PASTORAL MINISTRIES
The chaplain expresses God’s love for multi-housing residents by personifying Christ through personal ministries like relationship-building, counseling and referral, crisis intervention, Bible study, worship, weddings and funerals.
RECREATIONAL MINISTRIES
Many residents of these communities are children and youth. The multi-housing manager desires and encourages activities for their young people. The chaplain organizes and supervises summer recreation programs or similar ministries to involve upper-income children and youth in their community.
SOCIAL MINISTRIES
The chaplain may develop programs and involve volunteers on practical ministries to help with crime prevention, food, clothing, health care, and transportation.
The Reason… Families in upper-income communitiesrequire non-traditional ministry. Often ignored by the Christian community, the need exists within these families for a specialized ministry. The chaplain provides the best approach.