Now, more than ever before, Americans are dying from largely lifestyle-related illnesses. These health issues may be prevented or better treated if they had been addressed earlier. So why, in a country that spends more on healthcare per capita than any other nation in the world, are such health issues on the rise? The answer may be that not everyone is receiving the same level of healthcare. The solution is to improve health education so that people fully understand the risks of common health problems, promote healthy activities to the public, deliver appropriate healthcare services.

Many people could vastly improve their quality of living simply by making better, healthier lifestyle choices. Cessation of smoking and other addictive behavior, eating more nutritious foods such fresh fruits and vegetables and food high in fiber, engaging in regular exercise, improving one’s social support system, and managing stress are all things that could help treat and even prevent illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and strokes.

Interestingly, the church is often the point of contact for the groups that are most in need of these preventative health services, such as seniors and those with lower incomes. The idea of mixing spiritual and physical healing is not new, however. The Bible is filled with examples of healing, and in more recent times, John Wesley, the founder of the United Methodist Church, was himself a vocal promoter of health. In fact, Reverend Wesley even authored the book, Valuable Primitive Remedies: Or an Easy and Natural Method of Curing Most Diseases, originally published in 1747.
What is a Health Ministry?

There are many models of health ministry. They might range from a group weight loss programs within a congregation to after-school programs that offer meals to children while giving them religious education. The most robust forms of health ministry are those plans which include specially trained professionals that work to develop consistent programming to address the needs of both congregants and clergy. This might include either paid or volunteer health ministers, faith community nurses, or a combination of task force members who work both within the church and out in the community.

Health ministers are often healthcare professionals such as health educators, wellness professionals, or social service professionals who receive training in dealing with health issues with a spiritual component.

Faith community nurses have actively licensed registered nurses who also receive additional education on dealing with spiritual matters and can receive a certification through the American Nurse Association. Some of the responsibilities of a faith community nurse may be health counseling, health education, referrals, or working with a health ministry team that might also include a health minister or other wellness professional.

A congregational health and wellness ministry includes a combination of health ministry task force members, and is likely the most formal type of health ministry. Often existing in larger cities, this type of group usually addresses not only the health needs of the congregation but also those of the community. Team members may work for social justice, religious education, and youth ministries, while also providing for the physical needs of those they serve by performing things such as regular blood pressure checks and offering formal health education classes. Health ministry teams such as this often play significant roles in the community and may meet regularly with community leaders to discuss current wellness issues.

Health is often defined as a physical condition, but if one is to live an abundant life, the definition needs to be expanded to include not only the physical aspect but also psychological, social, and spiritual aspects as well. These pillars of one’s health combine to form a complete person, and all must be addressed if a person is to become the best version of themselves.

It has been shown that when a church community develops a health ministry that is considered essential, church members are often more likely to volunteer in hospitals, care facilities, or visit home-bound people. In addition, communities with strong health ministries receive more health education and are better able to make informed health decisions. Those communities are also more likely to engage in behavior that is consistent with a healthy lifestyle such as regular exercise, good nutrition, and preventative screenings. Last, and possibly most important, health ministries can assist in the spiritual healing of those they serve by counseling those in crisis or just providing a shoulder to lean on when another is in pain.

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