Are you looking for ways to finance your church's health programs in your own community? This article mentions a number of ways to finance health work, but concentrates on international organizations and discusses the pros and cons of asking them for help. It is intended for doctors and administrators in church-related hospitals around the world; national church leaders; interested pastors and women's leaders; national Christian coordinating agencies; and anyone in church-related health work -- whether hospitals, dispensaries, or community health.

Who Supports Church Health Programs Around the World?

Good health programs cost money and time. Churches often mobilize several different supporters at the same time. For example:
 

Community groups: construct health centers and housing for nurses.

 

Local churches: provide land, buildings, office backup, supplies, and volunteer workers.

 

Health committees: give their time to plan and oversee health work.

 

Patients: pay fees for services they receive.

 

Government ministries of health: provide medicines, vaccines and contraceptives, give training courses, offer technical advice, often pay salaries, give free electricity or clinic space for churches to use.

 

National non-governmental organizations: supplement and support what others are doing in health; they often sponsor new pilot programs. Examples are national family planning associations, service clubs, Christian health associations, and national councils of churches.

 

International organizations(that work in many countries at the same time) -- offer capital funds for buildings and large equipment, program funds, supplies, and expertise.

Try making a list of all the groups involved in your current health programs and what contributions they make (money, buildings, supplies, time, training courses, capital funds, etc.).

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Stop and think about it:
Just where does support for your church

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Why Do Churches Ask for Support for Health Programs?

Churches generally pay the costs of some of their health activities and also encourage their members to work as volunteers in health programs.

But good health programs are expensive, and churches have other activities to support -- worship, evangelism, Christian education, church planting, agriculture, schools, community development, youth work, relief efforts, etc.

To practice good stewardship, churches must decide how best to use their resources. Many churches around the world decide to use their offerings and gifts from partner churches for specifically church-related needs, such as evangelism and Christian education. Nowadays, they look for non-church funds to help run their community programs of health and education.

Why Do International Organizations Collaborate with Churches?

International organizations are large agencies with money, supplies, and technical health know-how. They need local partner groups that are already working in the communities, and that know the history, customs and languages. They search for reliable non-government, non-profit organizations to collaborate in health programs. Churches are exactly what they are looking for:
 

Churches are indigenous organizations, rooted in their communities, with trained local leaders.

 

Churches are already doing a great deal of health work. In some countries, churches operate more than half the hospitals and dispensaries. Often they have been doing it for 40 or 50 years, or even more.

 

Churches feel they have a mandate from Jesus Christ to serve the poor and oppressed, whoever and wherever they are. Most churches offer their health services to everyone in the community, regardless of their ethnic group or religion.

 

Churches often know how to get things done at minimum cost.

 

Churches are non-government organizations, so they are free to try new approaches and start pilot health programs.

 

Churches are committed to long term development. International organizations may be able to help for only a few years, but churches intend to continue their efforts indefinitely.

Problems with International Organizations.
 

1) Some international organizations work only on projects that spend US$ 10,000-50,000 a year. If you are planning a smaller project, look for another organization that helps small projects.

2) Some international organizations may not allow you the freedom to plan the details of your own program. Look carefully at what they want you to do. It may not be a good idea after all. If it seems wrong or irrelevant for your community at this time, explain that in a letter. If you still can't agree, look for another organization that shares your philosophy and priorities.

3) Some organizations have staff members who think that all religious groups are narrow-minded. They fear that you will serve only church members, that you are opposed to family planning, or that you do only evangelism and don't know much about health work. You will have to show them otherwise.

4) Some international organizations require reports, accounting and auditing procedures that may seem inappropriate or overwhelming.Today, the trend is toward more "accountability." People who give money want to know exactly how it is spent. If your organization already uses careful detailed accounting procedures, fine. If you feel you need to improve, this may be a good opportunity to ask an organization for some expert help.

Sometimes, though, the required procedures are just not appropriate for the situation. For example, illiterate business people or craftsmen cannot provide written documents and may be reluctant to sign receipts. You may not have a photocopy machine to make document copies. Try to explain the problems to the international agency, offer alternative suggestions, and ask them to be reasonable about their requirements.

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In other words, churches and
international health agencies
are looking for each other.

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What Do International Organization Expect from Churches?
 

1) Know your own philosophy, purposes and priorities.

2) Know the priorities of the international organization; read carefully their brochures and letters. You may need to limit your proposal to activities that an organization is willing to support.

3) Cooperate (do not compete) with other health programs nearby.

4) Involve members of the local communities in planning and carrying out the project.

5) Write a project proposal that includes these sections:

Goal: overall aim of the project, such as improving the health of people in a defined geographical area.

Objectives: indicators that can be measured during a given time period.

Strategy: what the project will do, who will do it, when each activity will start and finish.

Evaluation: how you will show whether you have met your objectives; the best way is to measure before and after the project activities.

Budget: for personnel, equipment, supplies, transportation, training, accounting, and other costs.

Financial and other resources: contributions you expect from the community, church, patients, government, or other donors.

Future plans: what will happen after this project ends

6) Sign a contract with the organization: you will do the activities and submit reports; they will send money (and perhaps equipment, supplies, or advisors).

7) Keep the project funds separate from other money. Use the funds for project activities and nothing else. Don't ever borrow funds from the project account for other church activities.

8) Keep careful accounts and receipts of everything you receive and spend.

9) Send financial reports and receipts regularly. Some donors require these reports once a month, some every three months.

10) Notify the international organization if you want to make changesin the project activities or budget.

11) Send narrative reports regularly, usually every three months or every six months. In each report, explain what you have accomplished so far, which objectives have been met, and whether you anticipate any problems.

Finding International Organizations for Your Health Programs.

Ask your national Christian Health Association or council of churches about international organizations already working in your country. Those are the organizations most likely to help you.

A long list of organizations and contact information is available at <www.ccih.org/jb/jb6.htm>. Also, several directories of International Health Organizations are posted at www.ccih.org/forum/9806-07.htm.

If you do not have access to the Internet, you can have a list E-mailed to you by sending a request to ccihforum@ccih.org.