Health and Wellness Taskforce

Health and Wellness: Statement of Purpose

I. Introduction

The purpose of this task force is to address the health and wellness ministry needs at the congregational level and propose a comprehensive plan for the development of that ministry in company with congregations of other denominations in each community.

II. The challenge of health & wellness ministry for congregations

God’s mission in Jesus Christ is a ministry dedicated to transforming all reality. As a healer, Jesus commissioned his twelve disciples to go, reach out in compassion to heal those who are sick: “As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons” (Matthew 10:7-8)

Today we have relegated that ministry to the professionals (who get paid). Yet there is so much that we can do more effectively at the congregational level. This was proven by the Lutherans who developed the church clinic and parish nurse program.

Health ministries are already being partially implemented in congregations throughout the nation. In 2003 Presbyterians surveyed ranked the challenges of Health and Related Issues ahead of family and children, work, social activities, love and marriage. Programs like parish nursing, Stephen Ministry, health fairs, etc. already have a sporadic track record of success.

In this age of abundance, there is a crisis in our health care delivery systems. At least 30% of many populations are not covered by insurance. That means that many in our communities will either go without or have inadequate care. With our growing numbers of elderly, care giving and receiving is fraught with many problems that often are ignored.

Stigma often precludes the inclusion of large numbers of people in the resources of the community including our congregations. This is especially true of those who live with certain physical and mental health issues.

People are often unaware of how to achieve optimum personal health and wholeness. As we share the good news of what that means, we do witness to the kingdom of heaven in our midst. Healing is as much spiritual as it is mental and physical. We are in a unique position to model the integration of all three

Congregations continue to grow as they experience possibility thinking in the area of health and wellness ministry. There are many new avenues to explore as congregations partner with health related resources within the community. These include more effective use of the talents of congregational members, and new opportunities for partnerships in growth and enrichment spiritually, mentally and physically.

Congregations have a unique opportunity to directly influence legislation in their state and nation to dramatically improve the health care delivery system. When we network with others, we have a powerful voice.

Goal of Health Ministry

To promote, support, and strengthen the role of participating churches and congregations as centers of health and healing.

Strategy

Engage the services of a Health and Wellness Advocate who will:

Relate to participating congregations with parish nurses in a collaborative effort to develop models that will help congregations without physical, mental, and spiritual health ministries start from scratch. Health and Wellness Advocate and participating churches will meet together for support and mutual accountability.

Develop a care team practice in each congregation as a variation on Stephen Ministry that pairs needy and developmentally disabled persons will able bodied trained persons. These are both short term and longer term relationships.

Examples of models: Care Team; Adopt-a-Grandchild

Training for all models will be provided by the advocate and Task Force members.