Health Ministry

To Deliver Clinical and Service Excellence Through a Ministry of Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Healing

What is Health Ministry?

Health Ministry has a focus on the wholeness of body, mind, and spirit within the members of a congregation and the people in the community that it serves. The whole person health focus is on wellness, disease prevention and patient self-responsibility. It is a cooperative effort that may include members of the congregation interested in health and wholeness, community agencies and partnership with a local health care provider.

A congregational health ministry functions best with a health ministry committee and a health minister to chair the committee. The health committee works with the health minister and/or parish nurse to learn the needs of the congregation and plans on how to develop programs and services to meet these needs.

A faith-based health ministry indicates that congregations are reclaiming their role in health and healing. Congregations that have established health ministries have added much to the quality of life provided for members of their congregations and the surrounding community.

The challenge in Health Ministry is threefold:

1. To extend healthcare with a preventive and wholistic approach: body, mind and spirit.
2. To provide compassionate service and to carry out a healing ministry.
3. To contribute to the continuity of care and to improve the quality of life for those who are hurting and in need.

Top Three Reasons to Develop a Congregational Ministry of Health

1. Health problems, both temporary and chronic, are found but not always expressed among our members. We can experience better health after the risks have been identified and addressed.
2. Community congregations are found in places where health education, prevention programs and even medical care are not adequate and available to all people. Outreach through congregations is a great way to build community health partnerships.
3. Most congregations are already involved in the ministry of health, to some extent. Health ministries that are intentional and organized can assist and support busy pastors/clergy.

To carry out a successful health ministry program, it is expected that others will be asked to share and participate their time and expertise in the development and implementation of programs and activities. A health ministry program is one that helps members of the congregation address all aspects of their spiritual, physical and emotional well-being. It helps us to examine our lifestyle choices, allowing each person to live up to the potential given to us by our Creator.