Determine the Need

• 1). Check with the administration or chaplaincy staff at a local nursing home to see if they have churches already participating in ministry there. Some nursing homes may have more help than needed while others may not have any help in this area at all.
  
  
• 2). Ask if they have regularly scheduled church services on Sunday for different denominations or religions.
  
  
• 3). Discuss the needs that exist in the home for religious worship, fellowship, spiritual care for the sick or dying including officiates for funeral services, ministry to family members of residents, and regular opportunities for gathering for prayer or Scripture reading.
  
  
• 4). Prepare a ministry plan of action based on the specific needs of the home once the need is established.
  
  
• 5). Check back with the administration and staff often. Residents will talk about the services and this is valuable feedback for ministering effectively.
  
  

Recruit workers

• 1). Recruit people from all ages and all walks of life to help with this ministry. The only requirements should be a willingness to help, a loving heart, and listening ears.
  
  
• 2). Explain the need to the local congregation, expressing needs identified by the home administration and staff. Ask for volunteers and do not turn anyone away who is willing to help.
  
  
• 3). Schedule one or more training sessions prior to going to the home in order to outline the ministry plan and objectives, prepare practically for ways to help residents, and to review any rules that the home has for visitors.
  
  

Get to work

• 1). Visit residents in advance to announce upcoming church services or other ministry offerings. Take the time to go room to room, with their permission, to get to know those you will be ministering to. Offer to read Scripture or pray with residents before leaving.
  
  
• 2). Ask residents about their spiritual needs. Be willing to listen and adapt the ministry plan to effectively meet these needs.
  
  
• 3). Plan to have elements in the chapel or meeting room in order to remind residents of things that are meaningful to them at church. Playing traditional hymns as they enter, greeting them and visiting with them before services begin, and using a simple or traditional liturgy will give them a sense of belonging. Light a fragrant candle to set a relaxed, more home-like atmosphere.
  
  
• 4). Remember that some residents suffer from hearing loss; other may have dementia or other mental and physical difficulties. Speak slowly and deliberately. Focus on messages of hope, forgiveness, mercy, compassion, encouragement, and love.
  
  
• 5). Take time to pay special attention to any residents that are too ill to attend services. A short visit after the service to let them know they are missed and to care for their spiritual needs will ensure that no one is overlooked or left alone.