What is a Health Minister?
A Health Minister is a person who shows the love of God through the promotion of health, healing and wholeness within a congregation/community. Flowing from the mission and vision of the congregation, a Health Minister leads a team of volunteers to promote health and wellness, prevent disease, and facilitate healing for individuals and groups.
A Health Minister may work with a Faith Community Nurse (FCN) when available, but does not specifically need an FCN to carry out this work. S/he does not need to have a professional health or ministry background…just a heart to serve in this way.
A Health Minister may:
- Gather health information to share with the congregation and community
- Coordinate volunteers
- Build care teams
- Act as a health advocate and referral agent
- Coordinate programs on health issues
- Visit the sick, provide transportation
- Promote collaboration within the congregation to build a culture of wholeness
- Promote collaboration with other faith communities, agencies and health systems
Criteria for Faith Community Health Network Membership:
- Signed covenant includes:
- Spiritually mature leader
- Attend a Health Ministry preparation course
- Attend orientation and required Network meetings
- Comply with own professional standards, if this applies
- Give an average of 8 or more hours monthly to build the program
- Document with web-based tool and report activities to measure outcomes
- Encourage healthy policy change in your congregation
- Collaborate to build a culture of wholeness within the congregation/community
To learn more about becoming a Health Minister in your congregation, contact us at (402) 343-4395.
