Today, the United States is blessed with an advanced medical system that can cure illness, repair injury and allow those with adequate resources to receive the finest medical care in the world. Yet, good physical health is only part of what being healthy is all about. There are those who have been blessed with good physical health and yet suffer spiritually or emotionally. And there are those who are strong spiritually and emotionally yet suffer physically. For Christians, good health is the ability to respond effectively to a variety of challenges—physical, emotional, and spiritual—and to live up to the promise of abundant life given to us by our Creator.

In its 1988 policy statement, Life Abundant; Values, Choices and Health Care, the Role and Responsibility of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); the church recognized health and wholeness as a vital church issue noting that the church is called to be a "community of health and healing at every level and at every location, seeking to manifest, sustain and protect health in its fullness in its own life and within the wider human community." 1

Today, many congregations have responded to the call to be a place of health and wholeness and have developed health ministries programs unique to their own congregation and community. Most churches cannot build hospitals or clinics, but they can become a community of caring that seeks to sustain each person in body, mind and spirit; teaching that faith and health are interwoven and cannot be separated.

Many churches also have a parish nurse. Although a parish nurse can be an integral part of a broader health ministries program, it is not necessary to have a parish nurse to begin the work of health ministries because the church has always been about health ministries.

What can a health ministries program look like in today's congregation?
A health ministries program is one that helps the congregation address all aspects of our spiritual, physical and emotional well-being. It helps us examine our lifestyle choices allowing each person live up to the potential given to them by God. A health ministries program can begin with a formalized committee or with a few interested persons. It can emphasize educational programs or spiritual centeredness. The organizational structure and types of activities are not as important as taking the first step and getting started.

Where to begin
The first step is to begin to learn about the subject. A good way to begin is to read through the Gospel accounts of Christ's healing ministry. By intentionally studying scriptural accounts of healing, you begin to understand that healing comes about in ways that are not merely physical. Consider the woman with the hemorrhages, her faith in touching Jesus' cloak made her well. Not only did her hemorrhages cease, but she would no longer be considered "unclean" in her society. Understanding healing to be more than about "curing" is the first step in developing a health ministries program.

On a more practical level, there are many resources published by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Health Ministries Association and other religious organizations and denominations. (See resource list.) Studying as many resources as possible will help you formulate an understanding of this ministry as well as give you practical ideas for developing your own.

The second step is to find a few other interested persons and talk with your pastor. Together you can explore the current ministries of the congregation and consider ways to bring together a formalized health ministries program that combines not only new programs, but those that already exist. Some examples of existing programs that fit wonderfully into an over-arching health ministries program are:

• Stephen Ministry
• Care teams or a Caring Ministry of the Deacons
• Home visitation to the sick
• Pastoral care

Depending on the size and demographics of your congregation, you may want to bring together a more formalized group that includes those from health care professions, those with an interest in healing and wholeness ministry and representatives from different groups within the congregation. Together with the pastor, this group can develop a vision for the program by listening to the needs of the members of the congregation, the resources of current programs and ministries that could be part of a larger program.

Although it is helpful to look at programs in other congregations, each congregation should develop a program that meets its own unique needs and situation. There is no one model that fits every congregation and no one program that works in every situation. For some congregations, it may be appropriate to establish health ministries as a separate ministry council or unit; much as Christian education is found in congregations. Organizing a health ministries council as an individual ministry of the congregation may take more time and coordination; however, it will help to establish it as a priority in the minds of the church members. In smaller congregations, it may be more effective to organize more informally or under another ministry. No matter what the case, by taking time to listen, study and plan, you will find the program structure that is right for your congregation.

There may be resources available in the community to assist your congregation. Many faith-based hospitals and retirement communities will provide speakers, educational materials or services to assist you in developing your program.

At the appropriate time and with the support of the pastor, bring your vision, ideas and thoughts on an organizational structure to the session. Share Biblical and theological studies with them along with practical ideas. Ask to form a formal "Health and Wholeness Committee" to begin this ministry in earnest. Prepare in advance for questions on issues of confidentiality and liability as well as concerns on the financial cost and the ability of the congregation to take on another project. If you are asking to establish a separate ministry council or unit, be prepared to describe how the process for finding committee members will take place as well as how this ministry will be accountable to the session. Ask for their suggestions and input as you begin with a small, carefully planned "win-win" project as your first step in this journey.

Start small with a "win-win" project
Although your vision for a health ministries program may include elements such as educational forums, parish nursing, health fairs, blood pressure screenings, and more; begin with one small step.

Select one health project that is easy to accomplish. This should be a "win-win" project: one which will be easy and inexpensive, will involve several members of the congregation, and will show results and be enjoyable. It should present health and wholeness as a key aspect of congregational life, generating new interest and enthusiasm for health ministries.

Sunday morning blood pressure screenings are one example of a "win-win" project. Enlist the help of members of the congregation that are medical professionals such as nurses, physicians, medical technicians or others that have been trained to take blood pressure readings. (If your congregation does not have medical professionals available, consider enlisting the help of an outside agency such as the local hospital or home health agency.) Be sure that the equipment they use functions properly and that the guidelines from the American Heart Association are being followed. Schedule the use of a quiet room for the time set aside for the project. Publicize in advance by emphasizing the connection between spiritual and physical health. To make this an even more meaningful experience, consider having an adult education forum the week before on the relationship between faith and health. The morning of the event, consider having a medical professional speak about blood pressure and the risks associated with abnormally high or low readings and how lifestyle choices—including their faith "lifestyle"—impacts a person's total health.

For most who participate, it will be an enjoyable experience. For those who may discover unknown blood pressure concerns, it may be a chance for them to seek outside medical assistance. In either case, the program should generate enthusiasm and interest as well as provide a learning opportunity for members of the congregation.

Other health ministries activities
There are many other health ministries projects that can be undertaken with a little creativity, organization and enthusiasm. Some ideas include:

• Sponsoring a health fair for the congregation or community
• Creating bulletin inserts, posters and articles for the newsletter on topics related to faith and health
• Develop a congregational health needs/assessment survey
• Have adult education classes on topics related to faith and health
• Organize a walking group, weight loss club or other fitness activities
• Work with your pastor to hold healing services on a regular basis
• Begin a Care Team Ministry
• Open your building for community activities such as Twelve Step Programs, exercise classes or support groups
• Develop or encourage a Stephen Ministry
• Establish a daily calling program to check on shut-ins
• Develop the talents of lay persons that can assist the pastor during home communion or hospital visitations
• Begin a Bible study on the Gospel accounts of healing
• Parish Nursing

Assess activities in light of your vision and goals
Although there are many possible activities from which to choose, the key is to find those activities that move your congregation ahead in their understanding of health and wholeness. This makes it vitally important to evaluate each activity in light of the vision and goals of the program. Some questions to ask include:

• Did members of the congregation participate and find the activity meaningful?
• Did the activity move the congregation further toward a broader understanding of health and wholeness, toward being a community care and healing?
• Did it generate interest in doing or learning more about health ministry?
• Did it spark attention to or concern about a specific health problem?
• After completing activities and your assessment, report back to the pastor and session informing them of your successes and of those activities that are not as successful.

What about having a Parish Nurse?
For many congregations, parish nursing greatly enhances their broader health ministries program. A parish nurse can play an integral role and often leads the health ministries program due to the nurse's clinical knowledge and understanding of the relationship between faith and health.

It is important to understand that a parish nurse is not simply a nurse that takes his or her clinical skills and puts them to use in the church. Rather, a parish nurse should be equally engaged in the clinical aspects of nursing and also in the ministry of healing and wholeness. The nurse becomes a partner in ministry with the pastor, often spending more time praying and listening to members of the congregation than in sharing clinical skills.

A parish nurse must be a registered nurse with a current license and must meet the scope and standards of practice set for parish nurses by the American Nurses Association. Most parish nurses receive additional training by taking parish nursing courses. It is also important to understand that while the parish nurse can play many roles including that of an educator, coordinator of volunteers, organizer of activities and an advocate for those who are ill, a parish nurse may not do "hands-on" nursing such as changing bandages or administering medications.

Other medical professionals such as physicians, pharmacists, LPN's, physical and occupational therapists, and lay persons trained to provide health education can play an equally important role in a health ministries program. They may be called "Health Ministers" and must also abide by their professional standards of practice.

Because health ministries include many activities and layers that bring about health and healing, it is not necessary for a congregation to have a parish nurse. An effective health ministries program includes the gifts and skills of many persons from the pastor, to those who take food to the sick or those who visit shut-ins. A parish nurse might enhance your health ministries program, but do not be afraid to begin without having a parish nurse available in your congregation.

Establish a Congregational Liaison
A very helpful resource to your congregation is Health Ministries USA of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) This office is the primary contact for Health Ministers in the PC(USA) and provides many health related materials that are available for congregations. They also sponsor health ministries conferences and can offer advice to individual congregations on health ministries activities.

Each congregation is encouraged to identify one person so serve as a "Congregational Liaison" to Health Ministries USA. Health Ministries Liaisons along with pastors, are the official point of contact for health information in congregations. National Health Ministries notifies the Congregational Liaison of information on new resources and conferences sponsored by the denomination. An added plus is that Congregational Liaisons receive a 20 percent discount on registration fees on events and materials sponsored by National Health Ministries.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has a wealth of health ministries and parish nursing information. Be sure to take advantage of what is currently available so that you do not need to "reinvent the wheel" as you begin in this ministry.

Communicate, communicate, and advocate!
As with all programs in the congregation, communication is essential for success. Once your have a Health and Wholeness Committee established, remember to communicate their work and activities to the congregation. You will also find it necessary to gently remind the congregation of the integration between faith and health.

You will also need to communicate with other groups in the church and encourage them to share your vision. Remember the "win-win" blood pressure screening activity? What if you go to all the trouble to educate the congregation on the importance of faith and health, of proper lifestyle choices only to find that doughnuts and cookies are the only food being offered at the coffee hour! By communicating in advance what your goals are for the program, you might encourage a change to serving juice and fruit as healthful alternatives to make your "win-win" event even more successful.

It is not enough to have concern for only the members of your congregation. Our role as Christians calls us to advocate for a just distribution of health care resources for all of God's children, just as we are called to share the redeeming love and wholeness given to us in Christ Jesus. Share the Good News of your health ministries program! Invite the community to participate and invite members of your congregation to begin to think of health and wholeness as a justice issue.

Look toward the future
As with all programs in the congregation, one eye must be kept on present activities and another on plans for the future. By taking time to reassess activities in light of your vision, you can develop a plan for growth. Be sure that new members are rotated onto your committee and that new ideas are incorporated into your plans.

Remember that this is a journey, not an end. An effective health ministries program will experience change but will always lead to health and wholeness for all of God's people.

God's intention of health—shalom—for the earth and its people, and Jesus' promise of abundant life—health, healing and restoration to wholeness in body, mind and spirit—are central dimensions of the faith we profess and the vocation to which we are called as Christians.