Implementing Congregational Health Ministry

1. ImplementingCongregational Health Ministry Lisa M. Wallace, RN Faith Community Nurse

2. What is Health Ministry? Intersection or integration of faith and health A purpose or mission to promote optimal holistic health An outreach ministry in the church and of the church A functioning ministry or committee like other ministries or committees within the church

3. A Little History • Rev. Granger Westberg, Hospital Chaplain, College Professor • The First Health Cabinet • The International Parish Nurse Resource Center • Parish Nurse Programs • Congregational Health Promoter Programs • Community Outreach: Hospital systems, school systems, insurance companies, businesses

4. Why Health Ministry? • Social Implications • Changes in health care • Changes in economy • Cultural diversity • Spiritual Implications • Biblical directives • Interdependence of holistic health

5. Sobering Regional Statistics • 75%/$1 spent on healthcare in the US is for chronic disease management (Medicare-99% & Medicaid-83%) • Smokers-20.3% • NC high schoolers: obesity-72%; alcohol-35% • Adult exercise-46.4; 5>fruits/vegies daily-20.6 • Unintended pregnancy-39.8% • Poverty-16.9%; 47% children <5y.o.-Medicaid

6. Unhealthy Living inAmerica

7. Biblical Perspectives • Americans take better care of their cars/homes/cell phones/pets than their bodies: (1 Cor. 6: 19-20) • Daniel: cared for his body (1:8) and his spirit (6:10) • Jesus practiced self-care: rest, prayer, fasting; retreat • Stress: positive or negative

8. Benefits of Health Ministryfor the Congregation • Continuing education in an historical learning environment • Prevention, early detection, & early treatment of health issues vs. treatment alone • Assist with chronic disease management • Meet the diverse needs of the elderly • Better access to resources

9. Benefits to CongregationContinued… • Built in support system • Promotes holistic health for the individual and families • Encourage social justice; can impact poverty, homelessness, hunger, prejudice, and other community needs • Reach diverse ages and stages of life

10. Benefits of Health Ministryfor Clergy/Ministry Personnel • Accountability: “Do as I do…” • Holistically healthier staff • Physically, mentally, & spiritually healthier congregants • Increased outreach • Increased discipleship • Prevention and early intervention vs. triage • More effective function of the church: “Teach a man to fish…”

13. Implementation • Enlist Church Leadership • Develop a Health Committee • Survey the Congregation • Develop a plan • Include all ages • Include all groups • Include all gatherings

14. Health Ministry Models • Parish Nurse Model (affiliated/non-affiliated) • Paid model • Volunteer Model (some compensation) • Congregational Health Promoter Model • Health Cabinet Model • Can include healthcare personnel…or not

15. Resources • International Parish Nurse Resource Center • Health Ministry Association • Health Care Systems • Moses Cone • Novant • Carolinas Healthcare • NC Council of Churches • City, County, State, and Federal Resources/Agencies: (Sr. services, CDC, FDA)

16. References • Congregational Resource Guide. (2010). http://www.congregationalresources.org • Health Ministry Association. (2011). http://www.hmassoc.org • Healthy North Carolina 2020: A Better State of Health. (2011). http://www.ncdhhs.gov • International Parish Nurse Resource Center. (2011). http://www.parishnurses.org • Patterson, D. L. (2003). The essential parish nurse. Cleveland, OH: Pilgrim Press. • Westberg, G. E. & McNamara, J. W. (1990). The parish nurse: Providing a minister of health for your congregation. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress • Yeager, Rev. C. (personal communication, September 13, 2011)