Transcript Beginning a Health and Wellness Program in a Faith Community

Beginning a Health and Wellness
Program in a Faith Community
Carmella Jones, RN, M.Div, FCN
Director, Holy Cross Hospital
Faith Community Nurse Program
301/754-7066
[email protected]
Objectives
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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
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Health Ministry is:
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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.
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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.
Focusing on “Whole Health”
A Dynamic / Relational Process
Physical
Social
Spiritual
Mental
Emotional
God
Self
Other
Unique Strengths of Congregations
Gary Gunderson in Deeply Woven Roots
says congregations have the strength to…
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Accompany
Connect
Provide sanctuary
Pray
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Convene
Frame
Bless/sanction
Have a different
sense of time
Key Components in Establishing a
Health Ministry
Health Ministry requires
The Intentional Practice of….
 Prayer
 Patience
 Process
 Persistence
Formative Steps
Research
 Leadership Support
 Committee Formation
 Commissioning Service
 Ministry Activities
 Evaluation
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Preparation
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Pray, pray, and pray more!
Intentionally gather information and study to
learn about health ministry
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Attend workshops
Visit websites
Seek out others in the broader community who
are engaged in health ministry such as institutionbased program coordinators and practicing faith
community nurses
Sharing with Others
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Share ideas with people in your faith
community:
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Health Professionals
Laypeople
Leadership
Especially speak with people who are doing
health ministry; visitor ministries, prayer
groups, support groups
Sharing with Others
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Gain pastoral support
Seek church council consensus
Determine space and budget
Organizational placement
Clarify issues
liability, ethics, and documentation
Create Visibility and Sustainability
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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
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Mission and Vision
Ministry Job description
Assessment
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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
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Building a Health Ministry team
is more than doing Health Care
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Ministry Teams often die
with the departure of its “founder”
A Health Ministry Team Leader Needs
Leadership Skills
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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
Health Ministry Includes
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 Team Roles
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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
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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
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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
A d d re s s in g C o m m u n ity H e a lt h N e e d s
T e n L e a d in g C a u s e s
o f D e a th
D ia b e te s
S e p tic e m ia
A c c id e n ts
A lc o h o l/
S u b s ta n c e A b u s e
K id n e y
D is e a s e
Hospitals serve here
N in e A c tu a l
C a u s e s o f D e a th
Illic it U s e o f
D ru g s
S e xu a l B e h a vio r
S tro k e
E ig h t R o o t C a u s e s
O f D e a th
E xte rn a l
Both serve here
Low
F ire a rm s
&
In te rn a l
S tre s s
COPD
M o to r
V e h ic le s
H e a rt
D is e a s e
A nger and
F ru s tra tio n
P o w e rle s s n e s s
E c o n o m ic
D e s p a ir
H o p e le s s ness
S e lf E s te e m
M e a n in g le s s
E xis te n c e
L a c k o f In fo rm a tio n
(E d u c a tio n )
D ie t/A c tivity
P a tte rn s
T obacco
U se
A lzh e im e r’s
D is e a s e
M ic ro b ia l
A g e n ts
Congregations serve here
C ancer
T o xic
A g e n ts
P n e u m o n ia
& In flu e n za
Updated with 2007 Stats /Initial Reference: Randy Johnson, Marietta County Public Health Dept. 1995
Benefits of a Health Ministry
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Creates community
Support values
Deepen
relationships
Intergenerational
engagement
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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
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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 Congregations
McNamara, 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