Beginning a Health and Wellness Program in a Faith Community

Carmella Jones, RN, M.Div, FCN Director, Holy Cross Hospital

Faith Community Nurse Program

301/754-7066jonessc@holycrosshealth.org

Objectives

Discuss the Development of a Health Ministry in a Faith Community

Define Key Components In Establishing A Health Ministry

Discuss The Varied Roles And Desired Skills of Health Ministry Team Members

Identify The Benefits That The Role of a Health Ministry Offers to a Faith Community.

The Development Process

Stewardship of Health

Begins with the belief we are created as whole beings

Embraces body, mind and spirit as one Affirms health is more than the absence

of disease Supports relational living in community

to nurture health

Health Ministry is:

Defined as activities within a community of faith that promote the integration of faith with the promotion of health and wholeness that care for the mind, body and spirit.

Embodied in caring ministries that are an essential part of congregational life. They incorporate the values, beliefs, and practices of a faith community as components in motivating persons toward health and wholeness.

Physical

Social Emotional

Mental

Spiritual

Focusing on “Whole Health” A Dynamic / Relational Process

GodSelf

Other

Unique Strengths of Congregations

Accompany Connect Provide sanctuary Pray

Convene Frame Bless/sanction Have a different

sense of time

Gary Gunderson in Deeply Woven Roots says congregations have the strength to…

Key Components in Establishing a Health Ministry

Health Ministry requires The Intentional Practice of….

PrayerPatienceProcessPersistence

Formative Steps

ResearchLeadership SupportCommittee FormationCommissioning ServiceMinistry ActivitiesEvaluation

Preparation

Pray, pray, and pray more! Intentionally gather information and study to

learn about health ministry– Attend workshops– Visit websites– Seek out others in the broader community who

are engaged in health ministry such as institution-based program coordinators and practicing faith community nurses

Sharing with Others

Share ideas with people in your faith community:– Health Professionals– Laypeople – Leadership

Especially speak with people who are doing health ministry; visitor ministries, prayer groups, support groups

Sharing with Others

Gain pastoral support Seek church council consensus Determine space and budget Organizational placement Clarify issues

liability, ethics, and documentation

Create Visibility and Sustainability

Initiate ministry activity healing / commissioning service Publish announcements bulletin / newsletter Begin activity B/P screening, health tips EVALUATE: process, impact and outcome Pray

Health Ministry Team Members Varied Skills and Roles

Form a Small Committee

Mission and Vision Ministry Job description Assessment

– Identify existing ministries within the faith community

– Interest and availability of health professionals within the community membership

– Interest and needs of the members

Identify a Leader or Co-Leaders

Building a Health Ministry team is more than doing Health Care

Ministry Teams often die with the departure of its “founder”

A Health Ministry Team Leader Needs Leadership Skills

Leaders are NOT lone-rangers - RECRUIT Leaders are OPEN & FLEXIBLE Leaders share the work - DELEGATE Leaders are teachable – LISTEN Leaders are visionary – SEE Opportunities Leaders know gifts and creative solutions

can come from any member of the team

H ealth counseling and screening

E ducation - promoting “body, mind, spirit” health

A dvocacy and resource referral

L istening and facilitating support groups

T raining and coordinating volunteers

H ome and hospital visitation

Health Ministry Includes

Health Ministry Team Roles

Identify existing ministries to avoid duplication and competition

Survey faith community to determine health interests

Prioritize needs of faith community Facilitate programs and health initiatives with

community partners Communicate health concepts to the faith

community. Includes members who are nurses (who do not

function as FCN’s), social workers, other professionals, and those with gifts for serving

Source: HMA, Sept., ‘10

Faith Community Nurse Roles

Currently licensed Registered Nurse Colleague of pastor Integrate faith and health into faith community’s

ministries Provide health education and counseling to

individuals and groups Assess and refer individuals and groups

Document findings and outcomes

Liaison to community health resources

Health advocate Develop support groups

and care teams Comply with Faith

Community Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice

Source: HMA, Sept., ‘10

Benefits of a Health Ministry Program

Addressing Community Health Needs

Diabetes

Accidents

Septicemia

Alcohol/

Substance Abuse

Sexual Behavior

Illicit Use of

Drugs

Kidney Disease

External

Eight Root Causes Of Death

Low

Stroke

Firearms

& Internal Stress

Anger and Frustration

Power-

lessness

Self - Esteem

Microbial Agents

Economic Despair

Hopeless-

ness

Meaningless

Existence

Lack of Information

(Education)

COPD

Motor Vehicles

Diet/Activity

Patterns

Tobacco

Use

Toxic Agents

Cancer

Heart

Disease

Alzheimer’s

Disease

Pneumonia & Influenza

Ten Leading Causes of Death

Nine Actual Causes of Death

Updated with 2007 Stats /Initial Reference: Randy Johnson, Marietta County Public Health Dept. 1995

Hospitals serve here

Both serve here

Congregations serve here

Benefits of a Health Ministry

Creates community Support values Deepen relationships Intergenerational engagement

Health and wellness talks and resource library

Support teams and support groups

Prayer shawl ministry

Advocacy and navigation in the health system

Resources for Additional Information

IPNRC www.ipnrc.parishnurses.org Health Ministries Association www.hmassoc.org University of Maryland, Health Sciences & Human Services

Library www.hshsl.umaryland.edu/faith Books:

Patterson, Deborah L. Health Ministries: A primer for Clergy and CongregationsMcNamara, Jill Westberg. The Health Cabinet: How to Start a Wellness Committee in Your Church Health Ministries Association and American Nurse Association. Scope and Standards of Practice: Faith Community Nursing 2nd Edition