Welcome to Developing Health Ministry for Your Congregation
An innovative educational approach
involving both self-study and classroom sessions!
A Health Ministries Association Pre-Conference Program!
This education page was created for those attending the Health Ministries Association Convention in Irvine, California June 2008 . The material contained here is for the preconference self study participants. Please read and follow the instructions in the Pre-Conference Instruction letter located in the Related Documents on the right side of this page. Refer to the Fast Facts for your check off. Thank you for participating in this online self study and see you at the preconference June 12, 2008 .
Overview
The faith community's role in healing ministry is as old as Scripture, but the current emphasis on health ministry can be traced to the efforts of The Rev. Dr. Granger Westberg, who understood the needs and promoted the value of professional nurses as health ministers. The Faith Community Nursing and Health Ministry Movements have been evolving for over 20 years and are now active in communities throughout the United Statesand other countries.
For over two decades, Faith Community Nurses along with healing teams have served congregations through activities of health education, referrals to health professionals, advocacy, coordinating volunteers, organizing support groups and interpreting the relationship between faith and health. Today, while these aspects continue, the FCN role has been further defined to include a focus on the “intentional care of the spirit” – with an orientation toward wholistic health, further integrating the physical and spiritual aspects of the whole person.
Over time this ministry has often been tailored or expanded to meet the needs of the members of a congregation. Today, along with nurses, others with varied skills (clergy, allied health and laity, etc.) have come together to serve as members of health ministry teams, fostering growth in both the scope and focus of the roles and services that are provided.
For many years the Health Ministries Association has assisted people in the development of this ministry with their resources and "How to Begin" workshops. Continuing in this tradition, this computer based educational offering is the first of two sessions in preparing individuals to begin this ministry or enhance one already established. Participants will acquire the tools and materials necessary to access, plan, and begin the steps to implement this ministry in their faith community.
Sharon Becker, Marlene Feagan, Rhonda Johnson, and Rick Parker ‘08
GoodSamaritanHospital, Health Ministries Program, Dayton, OH.
St. Elizabeth Medical Center Health Ministries Outreach Program, Northern KY.
Episcopal Retirement Homes, Inc., Parish Health Ministries Program Cincinnati, OH.
The presentations and questions are the property of Marlene Feagan, Sharon Becker, Rhonda Johnson and Rick Parker. Reproduction of the material without written permission is prohibited.
