- Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit
- Examine the needs of your parish and your elder parishioners
- Set a reachable project and goal with your team of colleagues.
- Discuss the project and a budget with your pastor and parish council.
- Discuss the ministry with other parish leaders.
- Does this ministry conflict with other ministries already established?
- Enlist the support of other parish leaders in establishing and promoting your ministry.
- Look at other “models” of similar ministry. Talk to other parish representatives.
- Examine your resources.
- Recruit through the bulletin and through personal phone calls.
- Accurately describe the ministry, the specific project, and time commitment to volunteers.
- Educate volunteers in an appropriate but not excessive amount of time.
- Decide upon a “term” or length of service for volunteers.
- Organize a system to keep track of referrals, hours spent in service, allocation of funds, etc.
- Reevaluate the ministry periodically.
- After a year or so, present the ministry to the parish council again for continued funding, support, feedback and development.
