If a social ministry committee is to prosper in a parish, it must be rooted in prayer, stay focused on Jesus Christ and engage the whole congregation.

These guidelines --- as well as many practical hands-on pointers --- were recommended by a national panel of parish experts last week in a workshop of the Social Action Summer Institute at Loyola Marymount University. The institute, which ran July 17-22, featured more than 25 workshops and talks ranging from "Biblical Concepts of Justice" to "Immigration Justice in a Global Economy," from "Father Greg [Boyle] and the Homeboys" to "Community Organizing."

"I can't overemphasize the importance of prayer in what we do," said Donna Grimes of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. "Because it forms you in our own faith, and forms you what social justice is all about. We're not about just taking action, but doing ministry. Prayer is what anchors the group. What is God calling us to do and be in the world?"

Andy Zampini, a parish outreach worker for Catholic Charities of Wilmington, Delaware, walked the 50-some workshop participants down the nitty-gritty path of how to develop mission and vision statements, organize a team of leaders and keep a social ministry program going.

The former hospital administrator said he tried to bring the same skills he used in the corporate world to organizing local ministries. "Most parishes do not have a very well organized social concerns committee," he reported.

The question came up what to do if the pastor resists having a social justice group. Zampini said he had never run into this situation, although he'd recently encountered a pastor who disbanded one.

"I think most pastors would really appreciate it if you can put together a plan that is well thought out, and if you can present it in a constructive and positive way," he pointed out.

Christine Smith of Catholic Relief Services led a discussion about how to recruit and train members. She encouraged participants not only to enlist the support of the pastor or parish council, but also to do personal invitations by phone, e-mail or face-to-face chats. She said "witness talks" from core committee members were particularly powerful as a recruitment tool.

"You need to think outside the box," Smith said. "To find out the social needs and resources of your parish, you can do a social justice needs analysis. And the way to do this is one-on-one random sampling, or just target leaders in your community. But you have to find out what's out there."

When Rachael Lustig of Catholic Charities USA asked participants how many had ever gone to a parish meeting that wasn't "worth their while," some 50 hands shot up. "I'm shocked!" she deadpanned, and then proceeded to offer strategies for efficient meetings.

She said meetings should have a clear purpose, tied to both faith and the stated mission of the social concerns committee. They should start on time, not get sidetracked from the agenda and stay focused. Moreover, she suggested that a scribe take good "to-the-point" minutes and send them out ASAP, plus that every meeting be evaluated after.

"Most importantly --- this is the thing that will make a meeting flop --- if you decide things and they're not carried out, you have gone nowhere," Lustig stressed. "Anything that is decided must be carried out. That's what makes committees valid. So take on what you can, and get it done."