Ministry idea --- suggestions anyone?

[dolfan]

I'm searching for a way to use the stuff that God has made strongest in my heart. My "spiritual gift" is helping people. Nothing makes me happier or more content, and where I get to read, research and write while doing that, well, what can I say???? Touchdown!

Anyway, an idea sort of came to me the other day. I was thinking, "How can you get people to help other people?" I remembered that I've seen some news stories about bartering lately. I did a little Googling and found there are many websites that are barter exchanges. Each one has its own way, but the most common is that you get and exchange points or some sort of "currency" by trading. Some sites require an initial buy-in to purchase points, and from there, you're off to the races and points become currency. I've seen things varying from the good old honor system to paper or electronic vouchers, etc. as a means of accountability.

Here's my thought: There are plenty of elderly people and poor people where I am in Alabama. I know the plights they share. I also know that there are lots of people who need a little incentive before they'll peel up and help someone else in need. A barter exchange for helping the elderly and/or sick/poor, etc. is my thought. You do "X" for a little old lady, and you get barter points that you can use to exchange with other participants for goods/services, etc.

That's about as far as I've gotten with it. I know nothing of how to set that up as an internet site, but I've not seen anyone else take an approach that is geared to helping the not-self-sufficient groups I'm interested in mobilizing people to help.

I've even got a very good domain name in my head (one that, frankly, I was very surprised was not yet taken) that is available.

So, any ideas on how to organize that whole idea, and how to go about making it happen online would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[setmysight]

I would suggest you consider Time Dollar Banking (http://www.timebanks.org). I can't say that I have any direct experience with the organization, but I researched this option for course assignment, and we have talked about initiating a similar program to work in conjunction with our food bank. A good resource for how this is being implemented in a community can be found at Maine Time Dollar Bank: http://www.mtdn.org/main.asp. Hope this helps!

[RamboPreacher]

I would suggest you consider Time Dollar Banking (http://www.timebanks.org). I can't say that I have any direct experience with the organization, but I researched this option for course assignment, and we have talked about initiating a similar program to work in conjunction with our food bank. A good resource for how this is being implemented in a community can be found at Maine Time Dollar Bank: http://www.mtdn.org/main.asp. Hope this helps!

http://www.timebanks.org
http://www.mtdn.org/main.asp
with fixed link (no period at the end)

[dolfan]

I looked at both sites, the Time Banks one in great detail. That is so close to the 'vision' I have that it is spooky. Thanks for the link. We'll see where this goes .....