Celebrating Personal Ministry in the Workplace.

Many long-term care facilities are realizing the rewards of recognizing and supporting employees who connect their religious faith to their work. One group that strongly supports and promotes the faith/work connection is The Order of Good Shepherds.

The Order of Good Shepherds (OGS) was founded approximately six years ago by The United Methodist Association (UMA), a group of approximately 200 healthcare organizations that are related to the United Methodist Church. Its goal was to create a program recognizing the many employees of these church- connected organizations who, through their work, demonstrate their ministry every day.

In 1995, OGS chose five pilot sites, including Bethany Terrace Nursing Centre, a long-term residential facility in Morton Grove, Illinois, one of the sites operated by Bethany Methodist Corp. (BMC), Chicago. According to Reverend Sunny Lopez, director of Pastoral Care for BMC and coordinator of OGS activities, the program has been extremely successful and rewarding for both the employees and the organization. "I began developing the OGS program at Bethany Terrace by educating the organization's administration, board and staff on its purpose and benefits," explains Lopez. "Today, there are 17 OGS members at Bethany Terrace who serve as a support group for residents and employees."

OGS members are known for going the extra mile to assist someone in need. "Many OGS members volunteer to come in on their day off to assist with worship services and special events," says Lopez. "They also hold fund raisers, send cards and plants to hospitalized residents and employees, and assist other community agencies with visitations to homebound elderly and joint fund-raising efforts." Through their ministry, OGS members also recognize the work of other employees through, for example, quarterly celebration "teas" on all shifts and special worship services, such as the annual "Blessing of the Hands" during Nurses' Week. "They want to show their appreciation for being recognized, affirmed and nurtured, and are therefore committed to recognizing, affirming and nurturing other employees' work," explains Lopez.

OGS is open to all employees at Bethany Terrace. Most members are nominated by coworkers who see them as examples of persons who are living out their faith in the workplace. Each prospective member meets with a committee and is given the opportunity to discuss how he/she connects faith with work. "This is a wonderful part of the program," says Lopez, "because we encourage people to talk about something that, for the most part, no one has ever asked them to talk about. We have heard some wonderful stories from people regarding what motivates them and how God is helping them live out their vocation."

Each spring, new OGS members at Bethany Terrace are recognized at an induction service. "It is a time to not only recognize their ministry, but to remind everyone that we are all in this together as a community, and that we all have a vocation," says Lopez. And the message is taking hold: Based on the success of OGS at Bethany Terrace, a second chapter was formed last December at Bethany Retirement Community and Methodist Hospital, two other BMC facilities.

Organizations have found that having an OGS chapter enhances their mission and the quality of care they provide, encourages staff to live out their employer's vision and helps the organization meet the standards of accreditation programs. "Though this kind of group can only enhance an organization's mission," says Lopez, "it only works if the CEO and trustees support it." Lopez notes that BMC's president, Reverend Dr. Stephen Dahl, strongly, supports the OGS program. "He believes in the OGS mission, as does Ken Kolich, administrator of Bethany Terrace, who has also been extremely supportive."

Members of the OGS, meanwhile, find support and increased friendships in their association with a group of people who share a commitment to living out their faith in the workplace. They also realize a validation of their work and a sense of pride in knowing they are making a difference at their workplace and in their community.

The Order of Good Shepherds is open to employees of any faith who make a connection between their faith and their work. Currently there are 25 chapters across the United States, which are multicultural and multifaith, and which are congruent with their respective organizations' policies and procedures.

Jo Donofrio is a healthcare writer based in Cleveland, Ohio.