Fall 2019 I Building a Vibrant Health Ministry: Mobilize Strengths in Your Congregation

Fall 2019 · Volume 9, Number 4

Buildin g

Health a Vibrant Minist Mobili ry ze S in Your

JESUS’ MODEL FOR MINISTRY IDEAS YOUR TEAM CAN USE NOW HEALTH FOR THE HOLIDAYS

t r e ng t Congre hs gation

2020

Symposium

April 20-22, 2020 Santa Fe, New Mexico at the Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder

The Westberg Symposium is the premier gathering and educational Symposium At a Glance event for faith community nurses from around the world who focus • Fr. Richard Rohr as Granger Westberg Keynote address on the intentional care of the spirit as part of their specialty practice.

Objective: Participants will self-report at least one aspect of spiritual care related to faith, culture, and geography that they intend to incorporate into current practice.

Program Outcomes: 1. Describe spiritual care from the perspective of various faith traditions.

2. Evaluate best-practice aspects of spiritual care from a multicultural perspective.

3. Compare the concept of spiritual care from a geographical viewpoint: rural and urban; state and national; USA and worldwide.

Keynote Speaker: Fr. Richard Rohr KEYNOTE SUMMARY: When we look at the history of spiritual care and healing, the same themes keep emerging across religions and cultures. They are issues of how to move from doctrinal belief into actual practice. One primary theological application method is the practice of cultivating a contemplative mind.

Fr. RICHARD ROHR is a globally recognized ecumenical teacher and author of bestselling books including The Universal Christ.

• Several preconference intensives • Opportunity for a cultural immersion • Michelle O’Rourke, recognized Henri Nouwen expert and author • Expert panel on developing effective nurse and clergy relationships • FCN coordinators and leadership meeting • Educators breakfast and network session • Opportunity for over 24 hours of nursing education credit • International World Forum event • Networking and fellowship opportunities • 2 conferences for the

prices of 1!

Find additional offerings for the Caring for the Human Spirit Conference online. Visit SpiritualCareAssociation.org

WestbergInstitute.org/symposium2020/ A Ministry of Church Health

Fall 2019 · Volume 9, Number 4

Innovative · Inspirational · Knowledgeable · Practical chreader.org

contents

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24

28

16

features

14

Empowering to Healing Work

By Jill Westberg McNamara

24

The C.U.R.E. Method

28

Down to Practicalities

pull-out resource

17

departments

The Model for Healthy Living for Health Ministry

programs and models

36 Opioid Crisis in the Pew

2 Editor’s Note 4 Model Moments 12 Bible Study Outlines 40 Health Ministry Connections

By Jim Morgan and Joe Bohn

By Deborah Patterson

36

204 chreader.org

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editor’s note Innovative · Inspirational Knowledgeable · Practical chreader.org The mission of Church Health is to reclaim the Church’s biblical commitment to care for our bodies and spirits. In support of that mission, Church Health Reader publishes inspirational and innovative resources drawn from knowledgeable sources, and offers practical ways to create happier, healthier communities. editor in chief

Rachel Davis

managing editor

Susan Martins Miller assistant editor

Lauren Hales

marketing and distribution manager

Lizy Heard

church health chief executive officer

Rev. Scott Morris, MD

Church Health Reader is supported by the generosity of our donors and published quarterly by Church Health. license

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Church Health Reader is published as a service and resource for individuals and congregations seeking to care for bodies and spirits.

Permission to reproduce articles, with appropriate credit to Church Health Reader and authors, for non-commercial ministry use.

For more, visit www.chreader.org.

Cover illustration by Terri Scott Design and layout by Matt Rhodes, Fox Fire Creative Printed in the USA Member of the Associated Church Press

MINISTY OF HEALING has a long history within Christian tradition, from the biblical foundation reaching back to the days of the Old Testament kings and prophets, to Jesus’ preaching of the kingdom he came to bring, to the spread of the gospel in the early centuries after his death.

Christians opened the first hospitals and undertook caring for the poor who were sick, and this practice continued through the Middle Ages. Even in the United States, the first public hospital founded by Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond bears a seal incorporating the story of the Good Samaritan.

As health care has become more complex—and costly—the opportunity for congregational health ministry to make a difference in helping people live healthy lives comes to the forefront. In many ways, embracing this calling is a return to our biblical and historical roots to care for the whole person, in body and spirit, just as Jesus did and taught his earliest followers to do.

This is our essential obedience. There is no one perfect blueprint for vibrant health ministry within a congregation. In this issue of Church Health Reader, you will find features that help to lay a philosophical foundation that a group within a church could discuss, nuts and bolts of starting from scratch if you have no organized health ministry or reconsidering key questions that could strengthen your work. You’ll also see, in Q&A format, practical advice for why and how to start a health ministry and move it in the direction of deeper impact on the health of individuals you reach. Our Programs and Models piece in this issue specifically addresses a pressing issue, the opioid crisis, with an inspirational model for ways churches can be more aware and more effective in responding to addiction issues as part of a health ministry.

What is the health ministry blueprint for your congregation? We hope that this issue will help you both raise and answer this important question.

At Church Health Reader our own blueprint is shifting. This is the final issue of the magazine in this format. Look for an expanded “Best of Church Health Reader” for the Winter 2020 issue before we retire the publication. Partnering with our readers over the years has kept us learning and engaged around health ministry topics, and we will continue publishing inspirational and innovative resources that offer practical ways to create happier, healthier communities. We’re eager to continue growing congregational health ministry together.

Blessings for whole-person health,

FOLLO W

join the conversation

#chreader

Rachel Davis

contributors

JILL WESTBERG MCNAMARA

Jill Westberg McNamara worked with congregations on health and wellness matters at Advocate Healthcare in Illinois. She is the author of Stronger Together: Starting a Health Team in Your Congregation and is co-author, with Granger Westberg, of The Parish Nurse: Providing a Minister of Health for Your Congregation.

Nurses Christian Fellowship

God is at work through Christian nurses.

Let us be a part of your story!

Read Empowering to Healing Work p. 14.

DEBORAH PATTERSON

The Rev. Dr. Deborah Patterson is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and the author of many books, including The Healing Word: Preaching and Teaching Health Ministry. She has served as executive director of two faith and community nursing organizations as well as in administrative roles in faith-based health care settings. Currently, she is the minister of Smyrna United Church of Christ in Oregon.

Read Down to Practicalities p. 28.

JIM MORGAN AND JOE BOHN

Jim Morgan is the founder and president of Meet The Need Ministries, created to lead in networking partners to collaborate around hunger relief, homelessness, disaster relief, substance abuse, foster care, and other issues facing communities. Joe Bohn, PhD, MBA, is assistant professor and director, community engagement, for the University of South Florida College of Public Health. His PhD is from the University of Louisville.

Read Opioid Crisis in the Pew p. 36.

Find faith community nursing articles and collections at: journalofchristiannursing.com Subscribe at LWW.com and save 40% with promo code WKK054ZZ Get continuing education just for you at: nursingcenter.com/CE/CNJ Save 20% with promo code HMCNJCE20 Receive both JCN, 30% off CE, and more with NCF membership.

Join at ncf-jcn.org/membership/join-ncf Use code FCNSpecial at checkout. chreader.org

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Wo r

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MODEL MOMENTS

medical Partnering with your health care provider to manage your medical care.

movement

Discovering ways to enjoy physical activity.

work

Appreciating your skills, talents, and gifts.

emotional

Managing stress and understanding your feelings to better care for yourself.

nutrition

Nutriton

Making smart food choices and developing healthy eating habits.

friends & family

Giving and receiving support through relationships.

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Church Health Reader | Fall 2019

Your Life

Em

o tio

n al

Moveme nt

Building a relationship with God, your neighbors, and yourself.

al

faith life

ly d ic

A Tool for Exploring the Interconnectedness of Life

i am

Me

model moments

Faith Life &F

n al

ds

it io n

nt

N u tr

Moveme

o tio

Frie n

Frie n

al

ds

d ic

Your Life

Em

it io n N u tr

ly

Me

&F

Faith Life i am

Wo r

k

Helping children label their emotions lays a solid foundation for mental health. See page 9.

MODEL MOMENTS

worship ∙ liturgy ∙ congregations

FAITH LIFE

Inspiration for Your Health Scripture Cards for Advent and Christmas Reproduce and cut apart these cards to post around your home or office or carry with you. Use the reflection questions to use the traditional Advent and Christmas Scripture texts to reflect on deepening health connections.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined.

(Isaiah 9:2) During this season celebrated with lights, reflect on how Jesus, the light of the world, has brought health to your life.

A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse … with righteousness he shall judge the poor and decide with equity for the meek of the earth.

(Isaiah 11:1, 4) During this season while we wait for the branch of Jesse’s birth, reflect on how Jesus’ arrival gives us a picture of health for the world.

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed.”

(Luke 1:46–48) During this season when we hear Mary’s song, reflect on ways that rejoicing in God’s calling enriches your health.

Permission to reproduce for noncommercial ministry use.

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 3:1–2) In these days of hearing John’s voice calling us to repentance, reflect on the ways God comes near to you and how God’s nearness encourages you to pursue better health.

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

(Isaiah 9:6) As we welcome the small child, who is Mighty God, five to us, reflect on the role of giving and receiving generosity in your health.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

(John 1:14) In this image of the brilliance of Christ’s divine glory living among us, reflect on how God calls you to share in a healthy life of grace and truth.

chreader.org

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MODEL MOMENTS

MEDICAL

treatment ∙ illness ∙ health care

Fight Fear of Falling

Tips for Avoiding Fall-related Medical Events by lauren hales

F

alling is the leading cause of injury among older adults, and more than one-third of people over the age of 65 fall each year. This can result in hip fracture, broken bones, and head injury. Even falls that don’t result in injury can shake confidence. Preventing falls is critical for maintaining independence and quality of life. Luckily, simple steps can reduce risk of falling.

1 | Talk to your doctor.

Discuss current health conditions, medications, and any history of stumbling or falling. Your doctor can check for side effects or drug interactions that may increase your risk, as well as assess and treat medical problems such as dizziness, vitamin deficiencies, and blood pressure that may affect your ability to move safely.

2 | Keep moving!

Fear of falling can lead to being more sedentary and unsteady. If you find yourself holding onto furniture or walls to steady yourself or have a history of falls, consider using a cane or a walker. Explore new, safe, and fun ways to be active. Walking, water exercise, and tai chi will help improve strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility, all of which help to reduce your fall risk.

3 | Assess safety at home.

Check for trip hazards like cords, loose rugs, and furniture, and remove items from walkways. Make sure all stairs have secure handrails. Consider installing grab bars and nonslip mats in bathrooms and showers.

4 | Check your vision.

Good vision is important for being safe while walking. Make sure you see an eye doctor once per year. Also make sure your home is well lit, especially the path from your bed to your bathroom and the stairs.

5 | See a physical therapist.

If you’re not sure where to start or what type of movement is appropriate, ask your doctor for a referral to a physical therapist who can help design an exercise program for you.

The therapist can also treat underlying issues such as pain or weakness that keep you from moving well or contribute to fear of falling.

Permission to reproduce for noncommercial ministry use.

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Church Health Reader | Fall 2019

MODEL MOMENTS

exercise ∙ activity ∙ nature

MOVEMENT

Gym Phobia

Conquering nerves about joining a gym by lauren hales

W

orking out, joining a gym, and making a consistent health change—it can all feel intimidating to anyone who has never been a part of gym culture before. It’s common to be hesitant about joining a gym if you don’t know how to work the gym equipment, are self-conscious of how other people will view you, or are unsure of how to best make use of your time and financial commitment.

When you work out at a gym, it’s not only a wonderful place to get in shape but also provides a support system for your health journey. A few simple ideas will have you on your way to comfortably joining a gym and taking better care of your body and spirit.

How can you feel confident and comfortable in a gym?

• Ask for a tour of the gym! Call ahead and ask for a tour of the space and amenities. Try to schedule your tour for the time of day when you will be working out. That will give you a good idea of what the gym will be like during your future workout sessions—how busy or crowded the gym will be and what machines and equipment are the most in demand.

• Dress comfortably. Bring athletic shoes, a water bottle, and either a book, audiobook, or music to help you create your own comfort zone.

— When you work out at a gym, it’s not only a wonderful place to get in shape but also provides a support system for your health journey.

—

• Start small. If you’re still intimidated, begin with one type of exercise, class, or machine and gain confidence before moving on to other options. Remember: you are your own worst critic!

So how do gyms “work”?

At a standard gym, you can work out several different ways.

• Use equipment individually on your own schedule. Often there are instructions right on the machines. Or use your phone or computer to look up instructional videos online— many free, online resources can ease your anxiety and increase your knowledge.

• Work with a personal trainer. This might give you extra oneon-one motivation, but it will cost extra, on top of your gym membership fee.

• Join group fitness classes. Many may be free with your membership. These are a great way to meet new people, have clear instructions from a certified instructor, and try several different types of exercise to figure out what you like best.

Lauren Hales is assistant editor of Church Health Reader. chreader.org

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MODEL MOMENTS

WORK

WORK: Appreciating your skills, talents, and gifts.

We are made to work. God put Adam to work in the Garden of Eden right from the start. Work is a gift from God starting at the time of creation. For some people work is a means to an end—just to get money. But that’s wasting one-third of your life, and your eyes will be closed to the presence of God in your work circumstances. Others make work their god. A happy medium is possible.

“May the Lord reward you for your deeds and may you have a full reward from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge!” (Ruth 2:12) When Ruth immigrated from Moab to Judah with her mother-in-law, Naomi, and Boaz saw her hard work gleaning in the fields, he commended her in God’s name.

Whether you are in a dream career or feel stuck at the moment, work is not separate from spirituality. God is present in your work circumstances, and your work is an integral part of your experience of God. Reflecting on personal values helps make connections to practical goals that move us toward lasting positive health habits.

vocation ∙ service ∙ sabbath

MY WORK VALUES • What experiences or people have influenced the formation of how I think about my work?

• What words or phrases describe my reasons for seeking deeper significance of work in understanding my health?

MY WORK DREAMS • How do I describe the role work plays in the balance of my life right now?

• How do I describe what I’d like work to look like in my life six months from now?

• If my picture for six months from now came true, how would my life be healthier overall?

MY FIRST STEP Often health changes don’t last because we try to make too many big changes too fast without incremental steps for success. Focus on one specific first step that you can take in the next few weeks that would start you on the path toward your six months dream for work. You might also jot down other steps to take later, but begin with a specific, practical, realistic first step.

• In the next few weeks, I will:

Permission to reproduce for noncommercial ministry use. A complete set of My Model for Healthy Living: 7 Worksheets for Values and First Steps is available to download at store.churchhealth.org.

For more resources on healthy living, visit www.chreader.org.

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Church Health Reader | Fall 2019

MODEL MOMENTS

mental health ∙ grief ∙ joy

EMOTIONAL

Shaping a Healthy Mind Nurturing mental health in children by kimberly baker

M

ental health is an important aspect of any child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. Finding ways to grow a healthy mind is critical to a child’s development. Here are some practical ways to nurture mental health in children.

1 | Speak in loving, supportive ways.

Be encouraging—especially when you see a situation challenges a child.

2 | Model positive self-talk.

A child hears how you speak about yourself. Be a good model for being kind to yourself so a child will learn how to use positive, affirming language about themselves.

3 | Allow a child to explore a variety of activities.

The goal is to find things the child enjoys. Let a child try activities that balance energy, such as reading, playing board games, walking, dancing, drawing, telling jokes, or quiet mindfulness. Trying a variety will help bring out joy and calmness.

— Help children label their emotions and then find out why they might be feeling that way.

4 | Provide opportunities to be in the natural world.

More and more research indicates that children spend far too much time in front of screens. It’s important for children to interact with the tangible world around them. Being out in nature is a great way to do that.

Some children may show signs of feeling lonely, depressed, or anxious. It’s important to support them with encouraging words and to “chase the why” behind what is going on. Help children label their emotions and then find out why they might be feeling that way.

Parents can’t fix everything. It’s important to seek professional help when warranted. Leaving mental and emotional health issues unaddressed can lead to children having lower self-esteem or struggling at school. Help children see that asking for help is a sign of strength, not a sign of weakness.

— Kimberly Baker is manager of The Well at Church Health, pediatric prevention and wellness program, creative movement studio in Memphis, Tennessee. chreader.org

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MODEL MOMENTS

NUTRITION

recipes ∙ gardening ∙ cooking

10 Tips for the Season Holiday Nutrition Strategies

T

he fall months roll into “the holidays.” For many people, extra pounds roll on along with the favorite holiday foods and treats.

Here are 10 tips to enjoy healthy nutrition and maintain your weight through the holiday season.

1 | Eat breakfast.

Studies show people who eat breakfast take in fewer calories during the day.

2 | Plate it.

Putting food on a plate, rather than grazing at a holiday party, helps you be more mindful of what you’re eating and how much.

3 | Portion control.

Grab a smaller plate to help manage the temptation to put more on your plate than you need.

4 | Start with veggies.

Eat a few healthy vegetables first to curb your appetite before sampling holiday treats.

5 | Choose proteins.

Nuts, low-fat dairy, legumes, and lean meat in healthy portions will help you feel full.

6 | Skip it.

If you don’t love it, don’t eat it!

7 | Slow down.

It takes your brain time to receive the signal that you’re full, so slow down and enjoy every bite.

8 | Wait for the seconds.

If you wait 10 minutes, you’ll feel more full and the temptation for seconds will pass.

9 | Focus on a few bites.

The first bites are the most satisfying; enjoy them without thinking you need the entire dish.

10 | Be a little brave.

Experiment with new flavors and seasonings; you might find some new healthy traditions.

Permission to reproduce for noncommercial ministry use.

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Church Health Reader | Fall 2019

MODEL MOMENTS

community ∙ relationship ∙ parenting

FRIENDS & FAMILY

The Church Family and Adopting Families Living out the spirit of adoption by laura todd

S

cripture teaches that we are adopted into God’s holy family. The apostle Paul reminds us that we have received a spirit of adoption and we are joint heirs with Christ in the kingdom of God (Romans 8:15, 17). To the church at Ephesus Paul wrote that God knew we would be adopted from the very beginning of creation. Adoption, then, is an action ordained by God, and those who choose to adopt are, in a very real way, living out their call to ministry.

A family may adopt for a variety of reasons. Individuals may not be able to have children biologically, they may feel called by God to adopt, or they may be trying to keep a family intact (for the sake of children with parents struggling with addiction, legal, or medical issues). Whatever a family’s reasons for adopting, the church can and should be a place of comfort and refuge. As a church community we can offer love and support to the family.

1. The church can pray for the family. Prayer is a powerful force and through prayer we are connected to God, but we are also connected to the family we are praying for.

2. The church can learn about adoption.

If a family in your church is adopting or thinking about adopting take the time to read books and articles or listen to podcasts about adoption.

3. The church can help with expenses.

Adoption can be expensive. Offer to help with a fundraiser. Do a money tree or conduct a rummage sale, or simply give directly to the family. Every little bit helps, and it is always appreciated.

My husband and I are in the process of adopting. We have been waiting a year and a half to be matched with a family, and we know this is God’s call for our lives. Both my husband and his sister were adopted, and we are excited to carry on that legacy of responding to God’s call for adoption. We

invite you to prayerfully consider how you and your church can minister to those in your lives who are adopting. Please receive this blessing: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

— Whatever a family’s reasons for adopting, the church can and should be a place of comfort and refuge.

—

Revs. Christopher and Laura Todd are bivocational pastors in Memphis, Tennessee. Christopher is pursuing his PhD, and Laura is a certified health education specialist. They love watching sports together. chreader.org

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bible study outlines

Building a Vibrant Health Ministry

JESUS’ MODEL FOR MINISTRY

4 Bible Study Outlines

IDEAS YOUR TEAM CAN USE NOW

Build1:iJesus’ Session ng Gospel of Health

Health a Vibrant Minist ry

In advance, read “Empowering to Healing Work” on page 16 and Mark 12:1–12 and JohnM10:9–10. obilizeThis session explores Jesus’ intertwining of caring Sbecause tren he saw people as whole persons. (For both for the body and in Ythe ourspirit Congre gths expanded study, you may want to explore Genesis 2:47 and John 4:13–14). As you gatio n lead, emphasize these points.

• Jesus prepared his disciplines to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick.

His ministry stressed healing the whole person.

• Every congregation has the potential to make each person’s days become full of life and love.

• Health teams enable congregations to act nimbly and effectively to address wellness issues and support whole-person health as Jesus did.

HEALTH FOR Discussion questions THE HOLIDAYS

How can the Bible inspire us to do the hard work of laying a solid foundation and raising strong walls for enduring health ministry?

Use these brief outlines to develop and lead small-group Bible study sessions adaptable to your congregation’s ministries. Read the suggested articles and expand on the points to emphasize with your own thoughts. You also might like to choose some excerpts from the highlighted articles to read aloud with your group. Craft additional discussion questions based on your group’s interest and needs.

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Church Health Reader | Fall 2019

1. Read Mark 2:1–12 together. Name the ways we see the four friends coming together to for the well-being of the man who could not walk. How do we see Jesus caring for both the body and spirit of the man?

2. Look at John 10:9–10 together. Jesus came to bring us abundant life. In what ways can living in this fullness seem to be stolen from us and undercut our health?

3. Share examples of how you have seen caring for both the body and spirit of an individual make a difference in overall wellness and experience of the Fall 2019 · Volume 9, Number abundant life. 4 Close with prayer.

Session 2: A Vision of Health Ministry In advance, read “The Cure Method” on page 20 and Isaiah 58:6–12.

This session explores a picture of a healing community and becoming dedicating to bringing this vision about in practical terms. (For expanded study, you may also want to explore Luke 4:16–20 and Matthew 25:34–40). As you lead, emphasize these points.

• Congregational health ministry is not the specialized work of a few but an invitation for many people to share a vision that finds its roots in the Bible.

• Congregational health ministry translates a vision into actions that change people’s lives for the better.

• Congregational health ministry is an opportunity for faithful stewardship of obilizthe the gifts and resources that resideM within e local faith community.

Buildin g

Health a Vibrant Minist ry S in You

trengt

h

s r Cong Discussion questions regatio 1. Read Isaiah 58:6–8 together. The author has been talkingnabout false and true fasting or worship. How do these verses help us how a health ministry that JESUS’ improves lives is sincere service or worship of God? MODEL 2. Read Isaiah 58:9–12 together. How do these verses show us a picture of community FOR MINISTRY health restored—not just the individuals but the community as a whole?

IDEAS YOUR 3. Share experiences of health and wellness that have come out of community TEAM CAN experience of faith and service.

USE NOW Close with HEALTH FOR prayer.

THE HOLIDAYS

SUS’ ODEL R NISTRY

EAS YOUR AM CAN E NOW

ALTH FOR E HOLIDAYS

Number 4

YS

Buildin

bible study outlines

Health g a Vibrant Minist Mobiliz ry eS in Your

tren Congre gths gation

Session 3: Our Obedience in Health Ministry

In advance, read “Down to Practicalities” on page 24 along with Matthew 4:18–22 and Luke 9:1–6. This session explores practical ways to live out the healing work of the gospel. (For expanded study, you may also want to explore 3 John 2, Matthew 11:28–29, Isaiah 40:29–31 as they apply to health ministry). As you lead, emphasize these points.

• Churches starting or strengthening health ministries are reclaiming a call not only to preach and teach but also to heal, which is equally part of the gospel.

• Answering the call to care relies on theological underpinnings, good information, and practical actions.

• Health ministry is a ministry of the congregation, for the work of healing in the church, that invites people in to shared obedience.

Discussion questions 1. Read Matthew 4:18–22 together. What do we see in the way Jesus called his first disciples that we can identify with? What example do the first disciples’ response give us that we can apply to health ministry?

2. Read Luke 9:1–6 together. How does this passage demonstrate the way healing ministry proclaims the kingdom of God? 3. Share personal experiences that illustrate understanding of how a structured approach to caring for one another’s well-being bears fruit in deeper understanding of the gospel.

Prayers of the People God of Healing, You call us to your gospel.

Give us hearts to

hear your voice

see your hand

feel your Spirit.

Send us into the world with your message of peace your words of wholeness your love for all. Amen.

Close with prayer.

Session 4: Health in Community In advance, read “Opioid Crisis in the Pew” along with Ecclesiastes 4:8–12, Acts 3:6–10. The session explores one specific model for a Health a Vibrant congregation Ministto address a contemporary health crisis. (For expanded study, you Mobiliz ry in Your e Strengths C may also ongregwant to explore Acts 9:32–35, Acts 9:39–42, Acts 28:8–9). As you lead, ation emphasize these points.

• Communities of faith, statistically, are not exempt from mental and behavioral health issues. We just don’t do a good job of talking about them.

• Faith-based organizations undeniably are important players in the public health safety net, including in addressing the opioid crisis.

• Choosing to become involved with the community on a specific issue is a viable form of health ministry that will change lives.

Buildin g

Discussion questions 1. Read Ecclesiastes 4:8–12 together. How do these verses about the strength of friendship speak into the challenges of congregations facing issues as fierce as the opioid crisis?

2. Read Acts 3:6–10. How does Peter’s example of giving what he had, when it seemed he did not have what was needed, help us face challenges in health ministry?

3. Exchange stories of how lives in the group have been touched by addiction, whether personally or among your social circles.

Close with prayer.

Fall 2019 · Volume 9, Number 4

Buildin

Health g a Vibrant Minist Mobiliz ry eS in Your

tren Congre gths gation

JESUS’ MODEL FOR MINISTRY IDEAS YOUR

TEAM CAN USE NOW ada ble wnlo A doHEALTH FOR THE HOLIDAYS of this Bible n io rs ve e is available study outlin se on for purcha . hhealth.org store.churc

chreader.org

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Health Minist ry

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Church Health Reader | Fall 2019

Empowering to Healing Work Jesus’ model for ministry

J

by jill westberg mcnamara illustr ation by terri scott

esus sent his disciples­—a

group of people he chose and assembled—out to do and eventually continue his ministry. He told them to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick.

Jesus’ ministry stressed healing the whole person.

As was natural in his Hebrew tradition, he did not separate the body from the mind and spirit. He was always concerned about healing a person whose body showed signs of illness, but he also paid close attention to other manifestations of illness in the person’s life.

Jesus dealt with relationships within people, between people and God, between people and their neighbors, and between people and the world. These relationships gave a necessary perspective to the picture that allowed healing to be approached in a wholistic way.

The book of Acts records how well the early church carried out this commission, caring for whole persons and not just spirits or bodies. Phyllis L. Garlick, author of Man’s Search for Health, writes: “They were inspired by a sense of wholeness in their mission to the world. They believed that the new quality of life, which Christ came to impart was to extend to the whole of man’s being, body, soul, and spirit. Thus from the outside the ministry of healing was considered to be as integral a part of the church’s work as the ministry of Word or Sacrament with which it is fundamentally linked.”1 Mark 2:1–12 illustrates how Jesus’ healings included both the physical and the spiritual realms. In the first verses, when a paralyzed man was brought to Jesus, he said simply, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” In doing so he went beyond the man’s physical ills to touch the deeper causes of the paralysis. The man took up his pallet and walked because Jesus understood that the body and spirit are a unity.

Jesus was a teacher and also, in today’s lingo, a team leader. He gathered his disciples to spread the word and help him accomplish his ministry on earth. Jesus’ ministry emphasized empowering other people to do healing work. It took a team to lower the man through the roof of the house (Mark 2:4). Jesus modeled for us that we are to go forth, assemble a team, and heal people.

Defining Health

The discoveries, the procedures, and the medicines of medical science are truly amazing. Indeed, much has occurred since Jesus walked among us. Yet as Jesus’ ministry demonstrates and as current studies point out, the biomedical model contains only part of the answer. We need to take a wholistic approach that takes into account people’s attitudes, environments, and relationships. How might each of these dimensions affect our physical, spiritual, or emotional health?

In their book, Dust and Breath: Faith, Health, and Why the Church Should Care about Both, Kendra Hotz and Matthew Mathews write: “Good health allows us to live out our God-given identities.…

Comprehensive healthcare, therefore, must seek not only to remove disease but also to create conditions and structures that allow for holistic health.”2 It is explicitly the work of congregations to attend to everything from safety in our larger communities to visiting us at the end of our lives. We are active agents in the creation of community and the building up of families. Often congregations are literally at the crossroads of communities, whether in small towns or major urban centers. When people are in pain or suffering loss, they often find their way to congregations. We can and do make a major difference in this work.

Continued on page 22

—

Jesus was a teacher and also, in today’s lingo, a team leader. He

gathered his disciples to spread

the word and help him accomplish his ministry on earth.

—

chreader.org

15

SHARE ANEW THE MUTUAL B ELOVEDNESS OF CAREGIVING WITH WISDOM FROM

HENRI J. M. NOUWEN

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or one severely disabled individual—and to his surprise found of this mutual exchange. The wisdom he learned in the process

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es, the undervalued souls who selflessly dispense grace and

THE STORY OF C AREGIVING SERIES

COURAGE for CAREGIVERS

SUSTENA NCE FOR THE JOU R N EY IN COM PANY WITH

HENRI J. M. NOUWEN MARJORIE J. THOMPSON W I T H L E A D E R G U I D E S F O R R E T R E AT A N D S M A L L G R O U P S

DR AW I N G O N TH E W R ITI N G S and wisdom of Henri J. M. Nouwen’s themes of caregiving, Marjorie M. Thompson offers a vulnerable exploration of caregiving intertwined with stories of caregivers in varied settings and stages of life. Leader guides and resources make Courage for Caregivers a tool for both individual encouragement and congregational ministry.

FEATURES • wisdom of Henri Nouwen

• caregiving stories

• enrichment resources

• the voice of practical experience

• retreat leader guide

• inspirational quotes

• small group leader guide

To order, visit STORE.CHURCHHEALTH.ORG

THE

MODEL

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HEALTHY LIVING

for Health Ministry

Th A d p u H e e M ow n rc a l od lo h a th e l a d se M fo a b on ini r H le st stry eal ver or e . c i s a t hy s i o n h u v a i L i v of rc la b ing h h le f ea f o or lth r .o rg .

Self-assessment, Reflection, and Goals “Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved; for you are my praise.”

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he Model for Healthy Living for Health Ministry reflects that true wellness is not just about your body but also about the interconnectedness of body and spirit in the ways that you live.

This custom introduction to the Model for Healthy Living recognizes the particular challenges of balancing seven key dimensions of life while fulfilling a call to health ministry. The tool provides the opportunity to pause and assess wellness against the backdrop of vocation and reflect on ways to support a healthy life to continue answering God’s call to a healthy ministry.

1. Begin with a quick self-assessment using the Model for Healthy Living wheel. Evaluate each of the seven areas of your life, keeping in mind that no one area is more important to balanced living than any other.

Circle the numbers on the Model to indicate how satisfied you are that each area is in balanced with the rest of your life. 1= least satisfied and 10 = most satisfied.

2. Move through each of the seven sections separately, using the Thought Starters, Reflection Starters, Action Starters, and Goal Starter to decide the next step that makes the best sense for your life in each area.

3. Return to the Model for Healthy Living wheel in three months or six months. Can you see progress? Is it time for new goals?

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Thought Starters • How have you experienced God’s healing in your life in the past?

FAITH LIFE

Building a relationship with God, your neighbors, and yourself For people working in health ministry, a particular challenge is cultivating a faith life apart from drawing on faith reserves to sustain the role of caring for others.

At its core, a faith life helps us build a relationship with God, our neighbors, and ourselves. This affirms that we are bodyand-spirit beings created and loved by God. We can explore a richer faith life and enjoy the benefits this experience will bring to overall wellness.

• How has your experience in health ministry shaped your understanding of wellness?

Reflection Starters • God welcomes our active spiritual gratitude for well-being (Luke 17:11–19).

• We can engage our faith in times of need for healing (Mark 5:24–34).

• Our faith is an active way to engage will personal wellness (Mark 10:51–52).

Action Starters • Look for an opportunity to receive healing rather than to offer it.

• Make a list of places and people that feed your faith life apart from your work.

• Find a favorite setting for a regular reflective time.

Goal Starter What one goal would help bring your faith life into better balance?

The Model for Healthy Living for Health Ministry

Thought Starters • Identify three ways your health ministry affects your health.

• Identify one to three topics to discuss with your doctor for a stronger partnership.

MEDICAL

Partnership with your health care provider to manage your medical care Even if you are a health care professional, you need the objective counsel of someone to care for you. When it comes to medical care, we bring something important to the conversation; we also bring the ability to listen and learn. We can build a partnership with a health care provider that lets us participate in managing our health care.

Reflection Starters • Jesus embraced the human body by using compassionate healing touch (Matthew 20:29–34).

• People participated in healing by coming to Jesus for his touch (Mark 7:31–35).

• Jesus engaged in reciprocal healing ministry by responding when asked (Luke 5:12–13).

Action Starters • Think of medical care as a tool for keeping you fit for fulfilling your call.

• Ask for help if you need it. Being in a helping role doesn’t mean you can’t seek care for yourself.

• Consider whether you need to rebalance health ministry activities with activities to support your own health.

Goal Starter What one goal would help bring your medical care into better balance?

Thought Starters • Name some ways you can add movement to your life to show how you feel about God.

MOVEMENT

Discovering ways to enjoy physical activity Movement seems to be the easiest thing for busy health ministry providers to drop from a crowded schedule. But when we consider the ways the parts of the body are hinged and rotate and reach in every direction, it’s easy to see that God means for us to move. It’s part of how we celebrate our body-and-spirit connection to God. No matter what our physical activity level is now, we can discover ways to enjoy movement.

• How would you describe the connection between your body and your spirit?

Reflection Starters • The earliest pages of the Bible show God’s movement—walking—in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8).

• David, the greatest king of Israel, danced before the Lord with all his might (2 Samuel 6:24).

• Biblical writers describe the life of faith in language of movement (Isaiah 40:31 40:31, Corinthians 9:24, Philippians 2:6, Hebrews 12:1).

Action Starters • Start with small changes in movement—a few extra steps or a few minutes experimenting with a new activity.

• Invite the companionship of a trusted friend as you try a form of movement you’ve never tried before.

• Jot down some ideas for incorporating movement into the ways you provide health ministry.

Goal Starter What one goal would help bring your movement into better balance?

Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself un

The Model for Healthy Living for Health Ministry

Thought Starters

• How can your attitude toward health ministry be an experience of God’s glory in your life?

WORK

Appreciating your skills, talents, and gifts People committed to health ministry know there is always something that needs doing or someone to care for. We can appreciate the skills, talents, and gifts we bring to our health ministry work—or calling—and find meaning for our lives while still maintaining whole-life balance.

• Reflect on why it’s important to set boundaries between your ministry to others’ health and your personal health.

Reflection Starters • Work and ministry are honorable to God (Genesis 2:15).

• In your work to serve people, ultimately seek to serve God (Colossians 3:23–24).

• Pray for God to prosper your health ministry plans (Psalm 90:13–17).

Action Starters • Clarify expectations for yourself, your family, and the people you serve.

• Review balance between ministry and family life.

• Discern an area of ministry that feeds your spirit and one that perhaps has become a chore.

Goal Starter What one goal would help bring your work into better balance?

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Thought Starters • Reflect on a time when you made a positive choice for emotional health.

What resulted?

EMOTIONAL

Managing stress and understanding your feelings to better care for yourself Self-care habits are difficult to prioritize against the busyness of planning health ministry for many others. It’s easy to turn to unhealthy habits in response to stress, whether it’s food, mindless television, excessive spending, alcohol, or something else. In the moment, we feel better, even though we know it’s bad in the long term.

Through understanding our feelings, it’s possible to make changes to manage stress in healthier ways.

• Name one thing you would like to be different in your emotional wellness a year from now.

Reflection Starters • God can withstand our “yelling” in distress (Psalm 13:1–2).

• God offers peace when we trust with a steadfast mind (Isaiah 26:3–4).

• When you feel weighed down, perhaps by your health ministry, God cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

Action Starters • Plan a special half-day outing for a stress break.

• List five favorite activities that are restorative for you.

• Identify one key change you could make to reduce stress.

Goal Starter What one goal would help bring your emotional life into better balance?

nless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. —John 15:4

The Model for Healthy Living for Health Ministry

Thought Starters • How do you feel about the reasons for your eating habits?

• How can your food choices outwardly represent your health ministry?

NUTRITION

Making smart food choices and developing healthy eating habits

Reflection Starters • The Bible offers imagery of land bursting with God’s good gift of food (Psalm 65:9–13).

Food choices often are something we think about only in the short term, yet they have long-term effects. Good nutrition builds strong bodies that lead us to being whole people better connected to God. Whatever our eating habits are now, we can increase our understanding of how food affects our overall well-being and preparedness for ministry.

Action Starters • At the beginning of the week, think ahead to the food traps in your schedule. Make a plan to avoid at least three of them.

• Keep a food journal for a few days. When, why, and what are you eating? What would you like to change?

• Choose two or three favorite recipes and research how to prepare them in healthier ways.

• Jesus offers food for healing purposes, showing how we should receive it (John 6:11, 33–35).

• Mealtime nurtures community as well as our bodies (Acts 2:46).

Goal Starter What one goal would help bring your nutrition into better balance?

Thought Starters • Who can you ask to be your community for support in a choice to turn toward health?

• Find a way to say thank-you to one person who is significant in your life.

FRIENDS & FAMILY

Giving and receiving support through relationships Health ministry means people contact— probably a lot! This is an opportunity for you to both give and receive support.

God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit were the very first relationship. Even God exists in community. Coping with life is sometimes hard, but friends and family make it easier.

Giving and receiving support through relationships contributes to our health and ultimately to an enduring ministry.

Reflection Starters • Maintain an attitude of being a lifelong learner to find wisdom (Proverbs 19:20).

• Honoring others in family relationships is key to cultivating support (Ephesians 5:21–6:4).

• Bearing with and forgiving one another builds supportive friendships (Colossians 3:13).

Action Starters • Identify a person to seek a deeper relationship with.

• Think of an activity you enjoy. Now think of who you can invite to enjoy it with you.

• Assess the amount of time you spend nurturing relationships you value. Is it enough for your health and the health of people you care most about?

Goal Starter What one goal would help bring your friends & family life into better balance?

A downloadable version of The Model for Healthy Living for Health Ministry is available for purchase on store.churchhealth.org.

A tool to explore the interconnectedness of your life T h is book m a rk ou t lin e s th e s eve n key d im e n s ion s of th e M od e l f or H e a l thy L i v in g a n d pr ov id e s key q u e s tion s to h e l p yo u s ta r t th e jou rn ey towa rd a b u n d a n t lif e in bod y a n d s piri t.

Available in packs of 25 on store.churchhealth.org

Great gift or giveaway at your next event!

Building a Vibrant Health Ministry

Continued from page 15 Every congregation has the potential to make each person’s days become full of life and love, despite all the hesitancy and resistance. The spiritual component is key here: congregations can motivate people at a level not tapped by most institutions.

But the most pressing question persists: how can a congregation have the courage and the imagination to lead the way?

Defining Team

Health teams are the enabling factor for congregations to act nimbly and effectively to address health and wellness issues. The role of health teams is vital to accomplishing the Scriptural mandate: preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick. Complex health challenges certainly cannot be met by any one person within a congregation, even if that person is a full time staff member.

But what is a team? This sounds like a simple question, but

— It is explicitly the work of congregations to attend to everything from safety in our larger communities to visiting us at the end of our lives.

—

we all come to the question with various backgrounds.

Teams offer a flexible alternative to institutional mainstays, but if you’re not careful they can quickly become stale and purposeless like any other group. Teams are action oriented.

They continually try out fresh approaches to reach goals. They can become long-term like a committee, or short-term, like a task force. Regardless of its duration, a health team will always look to improve the health ministry.

Teams can come in all forms and sizes. For some, the word team might primarily indicate something like a sports team, a drill team, or a project team. Yet teams are distinct from groups.

A team has a purpose while members of a group might have 22

Church Health Reader | Fall 2019

something in common yet no purpose (such as fans of a certain film or group). In some congregational structures a team may be established with an umbrella of responsibilities and connection to leadership, while in others a team is a small group of people who want to nimbly respond to a need while enjoying flexibility in how they function. Regardless of structure or size, purpose is the most important ingredient for teams. When it comes to health and wellness, finding that purpose can be a challenge since there are many topics to choose from. This is where a survey or assessment of your congregation could be most helpful.

Many of us, however, assemble a team because of a clear challenge that arises, such as visiting the sick, a need for a faith community nurse, the possibility of health coaching, or taking blood pressures. The strength of the team approach is that you will have multiple people striving for the same purpose, each with different tasks providing a rich or more complete health ministry.

Team Elements

Although there is no single preferred model for a health team, it’s safe to say there are several elements common to most. A health team: • Consists of a small group of people from the congregation who meet regularly.

• Pursues a focus and purpose that means a defined need.

• Knows the strengths of the congregation and understands what might motivate people in its congregation to meet this need.

• Addresses a need (or needs) using various methods such as education, support groups, pastoral care, health fairs, recreational activities, outreach and referral.

• Maintains awareness of what is (or is not) happening in the congregation in terms of health and wellness, and possibly also the community at large.

Notes

1. Phyllis L. Garlick, Man’s Search for Health: A Study in the Inter-Relation of Religion and Medicine (London: The Highway Press, 1952).

2. Kendra G. Hotz and Matthew T. Mathews, Dust and Breath: Faith Health, and Why the Church Should Care about Both (Grand Rapids: Erdmanns, 2012), 15.

Jill Westberg McNamara worked with congregations on health and wellness matters at Advocate Healthcare in Illinois and is the co-author, with Granger Westberg, of The Parish Nurse: Providing a Minister of Health for Your Congregation. This article is adapted from her book Stronger Together: Starting a Health Team in Your Congregation (Church Health, 2014).

Building a Vibrant Health Ministry

HEALTH MINISTRY INVENTORY As a team, determine what your congregation is currently doing that you believe promotes health. These questions will help you recognize what is happening.

• In what ways are various ministries promoting health now?

• What needs are not being met in your congregation or community? Highlight three you’d like to address.

• What health programs or projects are in place, such as small groups, a homeless shelter, hospital visitations, potluck?

• In what ways do you think your congregation could improve the ways it promotes wellness?

• What health and wellness materials do you have, such as books, pamphlets, videos, and liturgies?

• What core strengths distinguish your congregation?

• What health agencies does your community have and what services do they provide?

• What experience can you draw on? If other new ministries have been successful, talk with their leaders about what obstacles to watch of, how to navigate around them, or how to inspire people and leadership to be supportive.

Permission to reproduce for noncommercial ministry use. chreader.org

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Building a Vibrant Health Ministry

The C.U.R.E. Model Organizing for Health Ministry illustr ation by terri scott

O

rganizing for health ministry involves many considerations. Some relate to congregational leadership, some to the health team, and some to better understanding the needs within the congregation and the surrounding community. Realistic expectations and priorities are essential. One practical method that has guided many groups is the C.U.R.E. model, offered by the Tennessee Department of Health Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

C U R E

Contact the key people.

Understand the needs of your congregation.

Build Relationships and gather Resources.

Evaluate your ministry.

C—Contact the Key People A health and wellness team, or a health ministry team, is a group of professionals and laypeople committed to the concept of a ministry of health and wellness. This group will help you discover the individuals in the congregation who may want to take an active role in improving health in the faith community.

Be sure to include people with professional experience in health-

related fields, such as physicians, pharmacists, dieticians, and nurses if these people are available in your congregation. You’ll also want people with other skills, such as financial advisers or project organizers. The programs that result from the work of the health ministry team will empower individuals to move toward greater wholeness of body and spirit. Recruit people who are excited about making health changes, who want to know more about whole-life health, and who are willing to meet on a regular schedule to plan activities.

How will you find these key people? Talk with congregational leaders to discover whether they are aware of individuals with a special interest in health. Think back over your own conversations with people. Invite people to come forward. Post a notice on the bulletin board and in normal congregational communications, such as the bulletin, newsletter, committee presentations, and announcements during worship. Provide basic information on the role of a health ministry team, including planning health programs and listening to health concerns. Not everyone who initially expresses interest will join the team, so be flexible with your expectations. If you have a faith community nurse in your congregation, a key decision is whether the nurse will be a member of the team.

Once your key contacts form a team, be sure to thank everyone for being willing to serve. Raise awareness within the congregation that the team has formed, the name by which it will be known, and who the members are. Consider hosting an event, such as a fellowship time following worship, and ask team members to be present for conversation with members of the faith community.

During this time, offer healthy refreshments as a role model for healthy choices. chreader.org

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Building a Vibrant Health Ministry

— THE HEALTH MINISTRY TEAM AND THE CONGREGATION • The team represents various groups within the faith community, such as marrieds, singles, adults, youth, seniors, health care professionals, business people, and stay-athome parents.

• The team is well-informed about health ministry on behalf of the congregation.

• The team envisions the potential of health ministry in the faith community.

• The team develops a mission statement and establishes short- and long-term goals to carry out within the faith community or larger community.

• The team communicates the concept of health and wellness ministry through the communication channels available within the faith community.

• The team assesses what is already being done related to health and wellness, what needs are not being met, and what resources are available within and outside the faith community.

• The team plans, implements, and evaluates health ministry.

• The team organizes a commissioning service for team members, validating the ministry and raising awareness within the faith community.

• The team asks for God’s blessing and guidance.

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Church Health Reader | Fall 2019

The programs that result from the work of the health ministry team will empower individuals to move toward greater wholeness of body and spirit.

— U—Understand the Needs

Next, your team will want to know how best to go about planning programs and resources that meet real needs and lead to improved health. Conduct a needs assessment of the faith community. In order to know what the congregation wants and needs, you have to ask! A simple confidential questionnaire can ask about the health problems people live with, suggestions for health programs they would be interested in participating in or presentations they would attend, which times and days would be most convenient, what types of support groups, whether they are interested in speaking with a nurse or would use a library of self-help books on common topics such as depression, stress, grief, or healthy lifestyle. The assessment doesn’t have to be long—just a few questions. Only ask what you need to know, and focus on topics you believe your team would be able to address in your programming.

Ask several volunteers to review the survey or complete a trial version of it and offer feedback on its clarity. Were the questions easy to understand? Was it simple and quick to complete? If appropriate, revise wording based on this feedback before offering the questionnaire to the full congregation.

Make the survey available in ways that will reach the most people, whether that is paper and pencil or electronically through a tool such as Survey Monkey.

Determine whether to offer it in multiple forms, such as on Sunday mornings but also during midweek Bible studies or in small groups and online.

Review the results as a team and begin to develop programs that respond to the needs the congregation has expressed.

Use the most frequently requested health items as a guide for developing programs and activities. Create programs

Building a Vibrant Health Ministry

— and support practices that will improve health of members in ways that will meet immediate needs—such as understanding medication or learning to cook healthy foods—but also help people learn healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

R—Build Relationships and Gather Resources

Consider the following categories of resources when beginning a health ministry.

People. Who sits in the pew next to you? A grant writer?

Legal expert? Marketing manager? Cook and hospitality expert? Pharmacist? Facilitator? Who can help with blood pressure screenings? Health Fairs? Fundraising?

Finances. Who is responsible for preparing the health ministry budget? What information is necessary? Will health ministry be a line item in the church’s budget, or do you need to seek grants or ask for gifts?

Other tangible resources. Who can donate items you might need, such as office equipment and supplies? Is there an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on site or is there someone who might donate one? (Be sure people know how to use it.)

Time. Ministry happens in God’s time. Faith community time can be very slow unless there is a champion or advocate, and even then there can be barriers. Business time puts a target on the calendar so an activity happens on a particular date. Allocate time carefully so you don’t overextend.

Don’t forget to take time to celebrate milestones and accomplishments with special services or gatherings.

With all resources, be mindful of being good stewards so that the health ministry you are beginning now can have a long life.

E—Evaluate Your Ministry

Evaluate your programs so you will know what works and which programs were not meeting needs. Evaluating will you give results to use as a basis for future plans and to inspire health changes that make a difference.

Begin a new ministry with familiar, nonthreatening one-on-one activities. Many health ministries begin with something straightforward like blood pressure screenings.

Display health-related information on bulletin boards, the church website, restroom walls, newsletters or other appropriate methods. When planning an event, determine the goal, the content you will present, presentation methods,

Create programs and support practices that will improve health of members in ways that will meet immediate needs but also help people learn healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

— when and where the event will happen, and how you’ll publicize it. And don’t forget to evaluate the event afterward to know whether it met a need and whether similar events should be a part of future programming.

This article is adapted from the Beginning Your Ministry module of Foundations of Faith Community Nursing, a curriculum for faith community nurses published by the Westberg Institute for Faith Community Nurses, a ministry of Church Heath, and resources of Tennessee Department of Health. For more information on the C.U.R.E. model, visit www. tn.gov/health and search C.U.R.E.

HEALTH MINISTRY AND CONGREGATIONAL STRUCTURE • Does the health ministry heave leadership support?

• Does the health ministry team have administrative support?

• Who are the official leaders in the congregation? Who are the unofficial but influential personalities?

• What is the best pace for building the ministry for long-term sustainability? chreader.org

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Church Health Reader | Fall 2019

Building a Vibrant Health Ministry

Down to Practicalities Health ministry ideas you can use by deborah patterson illustr ations by terri scott

Q:

How should a church start a health ministry?

If your congregation is starting a health ministry, you are in good company! Growing numbers of churches are reclaiming the call they have not only to preach and to teach, but also to heal.

Faith communities started most of the hospitals, nursing schools, and medical schools around the world. The church, however, has been modest as it redefined its role in health care, overshadowed by the explosion of knowledge and technology in health care since the founding of those institutions.

For the last few decades, the healing ministry of congregations has often been limited to praying for and visiting the sick. There is nothing wrong with those activities, but a church can do much more! And health ministry can be life-transforming for those who participate when the load is shared. An active health ministry is a call to the body of Christ.

A good way to begin is to ask some questions about health ministry, such as the following: • How has the congregation historically participated in healing ministries?

• What does Scripture say about health and healing? Was this just something for Jesus, or do we have a role?

• What are the pressing health needs in the church? In the wider community?

• What are the assets of the church? Are there health professionals, teachers, and other supporters available?

• What kinds of health ministry would the church like to see? Programs for new parents, for individuals without access to health care, exercise programs, visitation programs?

Then, get started! Here are three ways to start: 1. Launch a user-friendly, easy-to-implement exercise or wellness program. There are many faith-based models.

2. Put a health tip in each bulletin or newsletter, or on a bulletin board at church, or on a bathroom wall. Most hospitals will provide blurbs, posters, or articles on many topics of interest. There are a host of national health organizations that will give you material (much is web-based).

3. Call upon the experts in your congregation and community. Most hospitals and other health organizations have speakers’ bureaus and can send someone to speak with your church groups for a modest fee (or free). If you have a registered nurse who is willing to serve as a faith community nurse (either in a paid or unpaid position), encourage her or him to go take a Foundations in Faith Community Nursing course. This course presents the theory and practice of this nursing specialty. Part of the course includes information on getting started.

Don’t delay! The fields are white unto harvest, and God is calling you! chreader.org

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Building a Vibrant Health Ministry

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Church Health Reader | Fall 2019

Building a Vibrant Health Ministry

Q:

We don’t have any health professionals in our small congregation of 150 people. Is there anything we can do to start a health ministry?

Of course there is! First of all, pull together a small health committee. Two heads are better than one, and five heads are better than two. Even a small church can have a health committee. And this health committee wouldn’t need to do everything related to promoting health in a congregation. It would simply focus on asking the question, “What in health is going on?” In other words, how is holistic health reflected in the activities of the church—preaching, announcements, Sunday school classes, church council meetings, Vacation Bible School, coffee hour, prayer time, and pastoral visitation? Make health a regular part of conversations.

Practically speaking, what else could be done within a small church?

• Someone in the church might provide fruit and veggie snacks for a coffee hour or two and work with a committee to provide healthier offerings on an ongoing basis.

• Work with those who are leading Vacation Bible School to add physical activities and healthy snacks to the program (with no sugary drinks).

• Invite a local nutritionist to teach a healthy cooking class at the church for a fun activity on a cold winter’s evening.

• Arrange for representatives from your local Area Agency on Aging to come and talk with folks in your congregation about services and resources available in the community.

• Arrange for a physician from your local hospital to come and talk about a specific heath topic.

• You could arrange for a whole series based on the national health observances, which you can find online.

• Invite a chaplain from a local hospice care center to come and talk about advance directives and the difference between palliative care and hospice care.

• Work with volunteers in your congregation to do safety checks in the homes of those who are elderly to help identify needs, such as for railings and grab bars. Make

sure you are ready with a plan to meet the needs you identify, such as lining up a carpenter in your church who could install them.

• Get everyone involved in a walking program.

Be creative to make ideas work for a congregation of your size. Experts in many communities will be glad to help when called upon. Everyone needs to play a role in health ministries.

Q:

I’ve just begun my new role as a health minister.

How do I get started?

Congratulations for your willingness to answer the call to care! I assume, since you have been called as a health minister, that you have the support of the clergy. I recommend you move quickly, if you haven’t done so already, to set up a health committee with whom you can work on health ministries in your congregation. Here are some important things to remember when starting your health ministry.

Be sure to take time to talk about the theological underpinnings for what you are doing with the clergy and your health committee. Dust and Breath: Faith, Health, and Why the Church Should Care about Both is a great resource for learning more.

• Expand this conversation to the entire congregation through formats such as special luncheons, adult education classes, small groups, and ministry teams. A brief presentation will get the conversation going and demonstrate that health ministry is for everyone, not just a committee.

• Keep the health ministry visible through a bulletin board you update regularly. There are lots of good, free materials available from the CDC, NIH and other governmental agencies.

• Another way to have great visibility for your ministry is to put a health tip in your church bulletin. You can find great congregational health information in a variety of places, including your denominational health ministry programs, or through a faith community nurse.

• Don’t forget your church newsletter! You can also find newsletter articles that can be reprinted from sources such as the National Women’s Health Resource Center, if you credit the source. chreader.org

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Building a Vibrant Health Ministry

• Partner with local health care professionals to provide services to your congregation. For example, many hospitals and other health organizations have speaker services and will be glad to provide speakers on a wide range of topics.

• Advertise your programs to the community. Your local newspaper may offer free calendar listings.

• Partner with health ministers in other congregations.

See if there is a parish nurse network or other organization working with health ministry with which you can get involved.

Finally, stay in regular communication with your health committee and the clergy of your congregation by documenting what you are doing so that you can report your activity on a regular basis.

Q:

I want to move my congregation beyond taking blood pressure once a month.

What are some good ways to go a little deeper into health ministry?

First of all, good for you for taking blood pressures! According to the National Institutes of Health, about 32 percent of US adults over age 20 have hypertension (that’s close to 100 million people) and many don’t know it. The American Society of Hypertension has a free patient education booklet on the topic that you can download online. Another wonderful resource, My Life Check, is available free online through the American Heart Association.

Also, taking blood pressure is a great way to have visibility around health ministry in a congregation, particularly when it is a regular event. People know that they can go on that day to that place and find someone who will check their blood pressure, and who will listen to them. Being listened to is as important as any other part of this intervention.

Having said that, why not expand your congregation’s health ministry from there? One way would be to plan a “Healthy Tasting” with small samples of healthy foods that a health committee could make and set out in little cups.

Include a handout about the foods, and share the recipes and 32

Church Health Reader | Fall 2019

some of the information in the church bulletin, newsletter or e-mail updates.

Another idea would be to have a pharmacist come over for a “brown bag lunch.” Folks bring along the medications they are on in a lunch bag, and the pharmacist privately reviews them and answers questions. While this happens, serve a healthy lunch that the youth group could sponsor to raise money for a mission trip.

Do a survey of the congregation and find out what is on their minds. Would they like a walking program, a weight-loss class, a caregiver support group? Then do a little research into these areas. There are faith-based programs and community programs to support any of these initiatives and many of them are available through denominational offices and national health organizations.

And make your health ministry programming fun! See if local businesses would be willing to give you small giveaways as incentives and participation prizes. This ministry shouldn’t raise your blood pressure!

Q:

What are your top ten ways that a congregation can improve the health of its members and community?

1. Encourage folks to spend time with each other and make sure no one in the congregation or community suffers from what the World Health Organization says causes the highest risk for illness: loneliness.

2. Urge everyone to eat 9–13 servings of fruits and vegetables each day, and be sure to incorporate multiple fruit and vegetable options into church meals.

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, “The latest dietary guidelines call for five to thirteen servings of fruits and vegetables a day…, depending on one’s caloric intake. For a person who needs 2,000 calories a day to maintain weight and health, this translates into nine servings, or 4½ cups per day.” Further, “compared with those in the lowest category of fruit and vegetable intake (less than 1.5 servings a day), those who averaged 8 or more servings a day were 30 percent less likely to have had a heart attack or stroke.”

Building a Vibrant Health Ministry

3. Encourage everyone to exercise 30 minutes a day. For those who are ready for a more ambitious challenge, aim for ten thousand steps a day. (Just Google 10,000 Steps and see what you find. Amazing!)

4. Ask the congregation to stop serving foods with sugar, and encourage people to cut back on sugarsweetened drinks and foods. Help them understand that too much sugar contributes to long-term health issues such as childhood and adult obesity, diabetes or dental health.

5. Educate everyone on the risk factors for, and warning signs of, heart attacks and strokes. Educating people about these things can save lives, since so few people really know.

6. Invite folks to support each other as they seek to change health practices, such as forming a walking group. Group support certainly has helped people deal with other challenging health issues, such as drug and alcohol abuse.

7. Support individuals and families living with mental illness by accepting them, providing education about mental illness to the congregation and community, and helping to provide access to quality mental health services. Working with the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill or Pathways to Promise are good ways to start.

8. Facilitate access to affordable housing for seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families.

9. Find ways to protect the health of the environment by planting trees and plants, driving cars that don’t use gas, supporting public transportation, and biking or walking.

10. Buy an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and make sure folks learn how to use it. The data shows that using an AED when needed can help save lives.

The American Heart Association has a course locater that uses your zip code to help you find courses in your area. These are offered through a wide variety of organizations, including hospitals, community colleges, and fire/rescue training organizations. Go online and search for “heartsaver AED classes.”

chreader.org

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Building a Vibrant Health Ministry

Q:

It seems like having a health committee is more work than it is worth, as I end up doing most of the work as the health minister. Can you please give me one good reason why I should have a health committee?

I will give you 10 reasons, because if there is anything that a health minister needs, it is a health committee. But even more, your congregation needs a health committee. Here are my Top 10 reasons: I will give you 10 reasons, because if there is anything that a health minister needs, it is a health committee.

But even more, your congregation needs a health committee.

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Church Health Reader | Fall 2019

Here are my Top 10 reasons: 1. The church is called to preach, teach, and heal.

Probably the church has a pastoral relations committee, or a worship planning committee, that supports preaching and worship. Your church also probably has a Christian education committee that undergirds the teachers, curricula, and educational programs. Your church also needs a health committee or health team to support the gospel call to heal (and much healing ministry is probably already happening).

2. Health ministry is a ministry of the congregation, not just of one person. You might have a wonderful choir director in your church, but without the choir, you won’t really have much of a music ministry. The same is true for health ministry. The health committee is the “choir” for the work of healing in the church.

Building a Vibrant Health Ministry

— A brief presentation will get the conversation going anddemonstrate that health ministry is for everyone, not just a committee.

— 3. Having a committee working on a task creates buy-in for the implementation of a program. There is nothing worse than throwing a party and having nobody come.

So throw open the doors and invite them to come in from the highways and the byways to the banquet of health ministry. It’s a feast!

4. Many hands make light work. If you help people identify work that is meaningful to them, they will want to do it. Work together to help them select tasks that would give them purpose. For example, someone may love art and be willing to do a monthly bulletin board or posters.

Someone else may love cooking and be willing to stock a few frozen meals in the church freezer for you to share with folks who need help during recovery from illness or surgery. Someone else may love to chat and be willing to drive someone to a doctor’s appointment. You do health ministry because it is meaningful to you. Be sure that your committee has the same opportunity.

5. You don’t have to meet every month. A health committee that meets quarterly can be just as effective (or more effective) than a health committee that meets monthly and gets burned out.

6. No one has to serve on the committee forever. Be sure to set up a plan for people to serve only for a year or two at a time, so that they can go off the committee without having to resign if their interests have changed. People are usually more willing to serve for shorter stints than for years on end.

7. When the pastoral leadership changes, you will want stakeholders in the congregation to understand the importance of this ministry and why it needs to continue. This is a very important reason.

8. Having a committee gives more visibility to a program that can often be invisible due to the private nature of many health concerns. You may be working very hard, but no one else may know it. Make sure your health committee knows it, along with the pastoral leaders, and the congregation’s governing board. Document and share the aggregate data (not any private health information).

9. Committee members (not you) can suggest to the congregation that they need to pay a faith community nurse, or to set up a memorial fund where gifts can be given to support health ministry initiatives. And when there is a budget line item, there is additional visibility for the program.

10. It’s a lot more fun to play on a team than it is to play alone. Jesus chose 12 disciples, not just one, so that they would work together, and he sent them out two by two.

Health ministry can be hard work, and you need others to travel the road with you.

So go ahead, and choose five to seven folks of different ages, genders, and vocational backgrounds, and start meeting quarterly. Equip the saints to do this work with you, and this ministry will be blessed!

The Rev. Dr. Deborah Patterson is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and the author of many books, including The Healing Word: Preaching and Teaching Health Ministry. She is the minister of Smyrna United Church of Christ in Canby, Oregon. This article is excerpted from Health Ministry Advice for Everyone, published by Church Health. chreader.org

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Aging and Well-being

Opioid Crisis in the Pew Hope Wrought by Faith

by jim morgan and joe bohn

PIOID ABUSE HAS LIKELY

Overdoses and deaths from prescription and illegal opioid usage are dramatically increasing across the country. In 2017, the National Institute on Drug Abuse reported over 70,237 drugoverdose deaths, up from 36,010 drug-overdose deaths a decade earlier. The annual cost of prevention, treatment, recovery, and deaths reached $78.5 billion in 2016. 2

already found its way into your congregation. The face of the opioid crisis is no longer the heroin addict strung out on the streets. Tampa Bay Churches Join the Fight In 2016, there were 2,798 opioid-related overdose deaths in Roughly 21 to 29 percent of patients prescribed Florida—a rate of 14.4 deaths per 100,000 persons, compared opioids for chronic pain misuse them.1 He’s to the national rate of 13.3 deaths per 100,000 according to the former football player who is a frequent the National Institute on Drug Abuse. On the west coast of attender silently dealing with the long-term Florida, a group of pastors, other faith leaders, academia and community partners have taken action to increase education, effects of knee injuries. She’s the mother of two awareness and support, while reducing stigma associated in the back pew, suffering from loneliness and with the addiction crisis. Under Humana’s national Bold Goal relationship issues originating from childhood initiative, aimed at addressing key national public health challenges, a cross-sectoral group of partners across three sexual abuse. It’s even the teenager in the youth counties is working to stem the tide of opioid addiction. In group experimenting with pills, succumbing the early planning stages, the partnership channeled their efforts into engaging faith leaders in the crisis. to peer pressure.

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Church Health Reader | Fall 2019

Building a Vibrant Health Ministry

Why faith leaders? In evaluating the root causes for opioid abuse, as well as the pathways out of addiction, a recurring theme emerged—the critical role of hope wrought by faith.

People from all population segments often turn to faith leaders as a first source for help in coping with personal and family crises. Faith-based organizations (FBOs) undeniably are important players in our nation’s public health safety net, sustaining and enhancing the emotional, physical and spiritual health of those who struggle.3 The support system of a church family, counseling by faith leaders, and programs offered by FBOs significantly reduce substance abuse, violence, and crime in local communities, regardless of affluence or economic disadvantage. In fact, even the US Department of Health and Human Services recognizes the importance of engaging faith leaders, publishing the “Opioid Epidemic Practical Toolkit: Helping Faith and Community Leaders Bring Hope and Healing to Our Communities” in 2018.

Strategy and Structure

Starting in January 2018, representatives from over 50 regional FBOs, health providers, public agencies, and educational institutions began to discuss local challenges and activities related to the opioid crisis, mental health, and suicide. All three counties recognized that mental health issues lay at the root of opioid misuse, yet there was a wide variance in community health repercussions for each county. While confronting similar causal factors, the counties were dealing with different sets of downstream issues. One experienced high suicide rates. A second saw the detrimental impact of opioid addiction on child and family welfare, while the third was concerned about spikes in homelessness and crime.

Given these differences, the planning committee formed three county-specific leadership teams—one for Hillsborough, another for Pasco and a third for Pinellas. The teams put together initial forums, which were held in the fall of 2018. Each forum attracted roughly 100 attendees, primarily faith leaders, service providers, community partners, and university and high school students. Agendas at each forum followed the same order, based on an approach and objectives around a model created by a university doctoral student and coined “E4.”

1. Educate—awareness of alarming crisis statistics and trends 2. Empower—awakening to the signs of addiction, as well as local resources and initiatives 3. Engage—action each faith leader can take to address the crisis within communities and congregations

— Faith-based organizations undeniably are important players in our nation’s public health safety net.

— 4. Equip—availability of best practices and tools to assist faith leaders and accountability for taking advantage of them to address the crisis Following the forums, the planning committee launched ongoing efforts to reach out to faith leaders and more partners proactively, reinforcing the messages from the forums with those who attended and sharing them with those who could not attend. Additional workshops were planned with representatives from targeted communities, including Hispanic and Muslim neighbors being impacted by opioid abuse. The E4 stakeholder mobilization framework approach is being carried forward and adopted as a simple model for pastors and other faith leaders to implement changes within their congregations. Overall this regional grassroots initiative has stimulated new interest in the intersection of faith-based and secular collaboration around educational programming related to behavioral health and substance abuse.

What Can Your Church Do?

Even with the door wide open to demonstrate the love of Jesus to a waiting world, most pastors and churches remain largely unaware of or uninvolved in the opioid crisis. Opioid use is entirely centered around one objective: pain alleviation, whether physical or psychological. What all faith leaders must realize is that the opioid crisis is not about drugs. It is about escaping the harsh reality of seemingly unresolvable pain—from surgeries, PTSD, depression, isolation, failed relationships, socioeconomic conditions, child neglect or abuse.

C. S. Lewis wrote in The Problem of Pain, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” Many must understandably seek relief responsibly through legal opiates, but escapism beyond what is necessary through abuse of legal chreader.org

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programs & models for you and your church

— Churches have a unique opportunity to come alongside those suffering, especially their own members, at three critical stages—prevention, intervention and recovery.

—

or illegal pain medications is not God’s will. Romans 5:3–4 says, “We also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope”—the critical role of hope wrought by faith.

No doubt, at least a few members of every congregation are in physical or psychological anguish. Consequently, if you surveyed your church, there is a good chance that nearly every family has been touched in some way by the opioid crisis—not to mention alcohol addiction.

Churches have a unique opportunity to come alongside those suffering, especially their own members, at three critical stages— prevention, intervention and recovery. However, most faith leaders hesitate to speak openly about the opioid crisis and share facts about the dangers. This contributes to the stigma surrounding addiction. Pastors can lead the way in demonstrating the love of Jesus by removing that stigma, offering acceptance, and finding the natural places to talk about the spiritual dimension of wholeperson healing. Faith leaders can train members to recognize the signs and intervene boldly, reducing the risk that those in pain will fall to temptation or continue to abuse opiates. And the consequences of succumbing are dire, costing many their faith, families, careers, savings, health and lives. Consider the impact on children as well, like me (Jim), who for all practical purposes lost my mom as a young boy to prescription drug and alcohol addiction.

Yet few pastors have the opioid crisis on their radar. Most have not personally encountered it in their churches even though almost certainly it is present there, carefully concealed to cover shame.

Even if someone did approach them about an addiction of any kind, much less an opiate, few faith leaders are well equipped to respond. This could change with increased education, awareness, 38

Church Health Reader | Fall 2019

and collaboration geared toward greater collective impact.

What is happening in Tampa Bay is an example of where collaboration between faith-based groups and the wider community can achieve a common goal. It is working because cross-sectional partners have found a common agenda and are committed to a shared vision—decreasing opiate addiction.

Congregations are a vital resource.

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” The mounting opioid crisis threatens our congregations and communities. Moving forward, we each have a choice. We can recognize and stand up to the challenge. We can seek opportunities to reduce the stigma felt by those burdened with addiction. We can educate and mobilize for the sake of our neighbors in need—strengthening congregational care.

Sometimes it is the little changes we make that lead to the greatest benefit in society. 4 Think of the power in your messages. The sermons, the prayers, and counseling those who are suffering, often seemingly without hope. But hope can always be found in Jesus Christ. We have a chance to remove stigma, eradicate pain, and bring light back into the lives of those in need. One person at a time, the healing begins and we can restore many in our society who have been trapped in this national public health crisis.

Notes

1. K. E. Vowles, M. L. McEntee, P. S. Julnes, T. Frohe, J. P. Ney, and D. N. van der Goes. “Rates of Opioid Misuse, Abuse, and Addiction in Chronic Pain: A Systematic Rand Data Synthesis," Pain (2015).

2. C. S. Florence, C. Zhou, F. Luo, L. Xu. “The Economic Burden of Prescription Opioid Overdose, Abuse, and Dependence in the United States, 2013.” Med Care (2016).

3. J. Levin, “Partnerships between the Faith-based and Medical Sectors: Implications for Preventive Medicine and Public Health.” Preventive Medicine Reports 4 (2016): 344–350.

4. H. J. Bohn, “Improving the Health of Communities: A Systems Perspective for the Next Generation,” in Population Health. Management, Policy, and Innovation, 2nd ed. eds. R. J. Esterhay, L. S. Nesbitt, J. H. Taylor, and H. J. Bohn.

Second Edition (Norfolk, PA: Convurgent, 2017), 189.

Jim Morgan is the founder and president of Meet The Need Ministries, created in 2002 to lead the way in networking partners to collaborate around hunger relief, homelessness, disaster relief, substance abuse, foster care, and other issues facing communities across the nation. Visit www.meettheneed.org.

Joe Bohn, PhD, MBA, is assistant professor and director, community engagement, for the University of South Florida College of Public Health.

His PhD is from the University of Louisville.

Building a Vibrant Health Ministry

YOUR CHURCH AND OPIOIDS An action plan for your community GOALS Education • Increase your understanding of addiction and the opioid crisis • Educate others in your congregation and community • Break down the walls of shame and stigma Prevention • Monitor and prevent risk factors for potential opioid abuse • Recognize signs of opioid use and act early

• Foster genuine community and transparency Intervention • Ask tough questions when opioid abuse is suspected • Advise and counsel those currently affected by addiction • Provide and promote access to faith, social and clinical resources Recovery • Celebrate overcomers and share success stories of recovery journeys • Support those struggling through the long road to recovery, reconciliation and redemption

BIG IDEAS

APPLICATION TIPS

• Conduct an Awareness Sunday at your church • Distribute information about the crisis • Issue a call to action

• Encourage those impacted to seek help • Share the hope that healing is possible • Identify those able and willing to provide support

• Conduct a church-wide assessment • Identify primary spiritual and social needs of the congregation

• Gauge preparedness to address risk factors and crisis internally • Take note of those in physical or emotional pain and get ahead of the issue (e.g. going through surgery, divorce or loss of a loved one) • Counsel those at risk (and/or their family members)

• Learn about outside resources that can be leveraged if needed • Appoint an (internal) leader on this issue • Organize efforts to build support structures for families in crisis • Improve perception of your church as a “safe” place for help

• Provide a more holistic picture of “health”

• Ensure staff and other key leaders are trained to recognize signs of drug abuse • Provide practical support to individuals and families in crisis • Point congregants to vetted resources for clinical and medical support

• Have resources and information ready and available

• Organize efforts to build support structures to wrap around families in crisis • Provide economic, food, housing and transportation assistance

• Provide “family” and community for those in recovery

• Start a Celebrate Recovery program

Permission to reproduce for noncommercial ministry use. chreader.org

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health ministry connections

Health Ministry Connections How to Use This Issue in Your Congregation

A

ministry of healing has a long history within Christian tradition. When Jesus came to announce the kingdom of God, healing was as much a part of the gospel as his sermons and parables. As his followers, we carry on the work Jesus sent his first disciples out to do when we include health ministry. How can you use this issue in health ministry that helps your congregation answer the biblical to healing work?

Fall 2019 · Volume 9, Number 4

bible study outlines

Building a Vibrant Health Ministry

JESUS’ MODEL FOR MINISTRY

4 Bible Study Outlines

IDEAS YOUR TEAM CAN USE NOW

Build1:in SeSSion Jesus’ g Gospel of Health

Health a Vibrant Ministr y

In advance, read “Empowering to Healing Work” on page 16 and Mark 12:1–12 and JohnMo 10:9–10. This session explores Jesus’ intertwining of caring bilize both for the body and the spiritStr because he saw people as whole persons. (For engths in Yo ur Congr egatio expanded study, you may want to explore Genesis 2:47 and John 4:13–14). As you n lead, emphasize these points.

• Jesus prepared his disciplines to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick.

His ministry stressed healing the whole person.

• Every congregation has the potential to make each person’s days become full of life and love.

• Health teams enable congregations to act nimbly and effectively to address wellness issues and support whole-person health as Jesus did.

HEALTH FOR Discussion questions THE HOLIDAYS

How can the Bible inspire us to do the hard work of laying a solid foundation and raising strong walls for enduring health ministry?

1. Read Mark 2:1–12 together. Name the ways we see the four friends coming together to for the well-being of the man who could not walk. How do we see Jesus caring for both the body and spirit of the man?

2. Look at John 10:9–10 together. Jesus came to bring us abundant life. In what ways can living in this fullness seem to be stolen from us and undercut our health?

3. Share examples of how you have seen caring for both the body and spirit of an individual make a difference in overall wellness and experience of the Fall 2019 · Volume 9, Number abundant life. 4 Close with prayer.

Plan a series of Bible study sessions on health ministry.

Use the brief outlines provided as a launching point to develop and lead small-group adult study sessions adaptable to your congregation’s ministries. Read the suggested articles and expand on the points to emphasize with your own thoughts. Use excerpts from highlighted articles to read aloud with your group, and guide discussion with questions in the session outlines along crafting additional questions based on your group’s interest and needs.

See pages 12 for Bible study outlines.

Use these brief outlines to develop and lead small-group Bible study sessions adaptable to your congregation’s ministries. Read the suggested articles and expand on the points to emphasize with your own thoughts. You also might like to choose some excerpts from the highlighted articles to read aloud with your group. Craft additional discussion questions based on your group’s interest and needs.

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Church Health Reader | Fall 2019

SeSSion 2: A Vision of Health Ministry

In advance, read “The Cure Method” on page 20 and Isaiah 58:6–12.

This session explores a picture of a healing community and becoming dedicating to bringing this vision about in practical terms. (For expanded study, you may also want to explore Luke 4:16–20 and Matthew 25:34–40). As you lead, emphasize these points.

• Congregational health ministry is not the specialized work of a few but an invitation for many people to share a vision that finds its roots in the Bible.

• Congregational health ministry translates a vision into actions that change people’s lives for the better.

• Congregational health ministry is an opportunity for faithful stewardship of the gifts and resources that resideMo within the local faith community. bilize

Buildin

Health g a Vibrant Ministr y in Your

Streng

ths

Congrega Discussion questions tio 1. Read Isaiah 58:6–8 together. The author has been talkingnabout false and true fasting or worship. How do these verses help us how a health ministry that JESUS’ improves lives is sincere service or worship of God? MODEL 2. Read Isaiah 58:9–12 together. How do these verses show us a picture of community FOR MINISTRY health restored—not just the individuals but the community as a whole?

IDEAS YOUR 3. Share experiences of health and wellness that have come out of community TEAM CAN experience of faith and service.

USE NOW Close with HEALTH FOR prayer.

THE HOLIDAYS

Evaluate your health ministry.

Whether you are starting from scratch or revitalizing, evaluate the needs you can meet through health ministry, the resources you have to work with—both within your congregation and in the community—and how to set your ministry up for success. Read the articles in the features section and use them as the basis for discussion with an exploratory committee or a health ministry team.

Make it a goal to come up with a list of concrete next steps.

See pages 14, 24, and 28.

Support health through the holidays.

As congregation members move deeper into the fall months, pressures and traditions of the holidays will be upon them. While this is a time many people look forward to, it’s also a time that health habits easily go off track. Distribute or post reproducible and downloadable resources in this issue to support positive health habits all the way through the holiday season. These include Scripture Cards for Advent and Christmas and Holiday Nutrition Strategies.

See pages 5 and 10.

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Church Health Reader | Fall 2019

Prayers for the Soul

Comfort for Parish Nurses & the People They Serve Prayers for the Soul: Comfort for Parish Nurses & the People and the People They Serve is a collection of community nurses and health ministry leaders that offers prayers written for parish nurses, and written

by parish nurses and health ministry leaders. prayers from around the world, and many are especially This collection offers prayers from around the

world for guidance, wisdom, praise, blessings, relevant to these professionals.

Short prayers are adaptable strength, care, hope, and healing. Contributors include Deborah Patterson, Carol Tippe, Paula to personal use, ministry visits, encouragement, White,private Maureen Daniels and many others. or

public reading. Gathered in a pocket-sized format for easy wish you Strength Courage... transport, they can always beWe at-the-ready forand a range of Wisdom and Inspiration...

ministry needs.

Purpose and Renewal.

Prayers for the Soul: Comfort for Parish Nurses & the People They Serve

They Serve is a collection of prayers written by parish or faith Prayers for the Soul: Comfort for Parish Nurses

Comfort for Parish Nurses & the People They Serve

Deborah Patterson

Inside Prayers for the Soul you’ll find: • Prayers for Guidance & • Prayers for Care & Wisdom Support • Prayers for Praise & • Prayers for Hope & Church Health Memphis, Tennessee ChurchHealth.org Blessings Healing • Prayers for Strength

Author of The Essential Parish Nurse: ABCs for Congregational Health Ministry

To order, visit STORE.CHURCHHEALTH.ORG

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 537 Memphis, TN

1350 Concourse Ave. Suite 142 | Memphis, TN 38104 chreader.org

Electronic Service Requested

2020

Symposium

April 20-22, 2020 Santa Fe, New Mexico at the Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder

www.WestbergInstitute.Org/Symposium2020/ A Ministry of Church Health