A Health Minister is a person who wants to live out the commandment to love God and your neighbor as yourself through the integration of faith and health. Health Ministers can be health professionals, but most are lay persons who feel called to use their unique gifts, talents and their compassion to serve the sick, homebound and bereaved. They promote wholistic health to those in their congregations and surrounding communities, encouraging them to take responsibility for their own health so that they can receive the gift of abundant life God so longs for each of us.
A Faith Community (Parish ) Nurse is a health minister who is an RN who practices wholistic health for self, individuals and the community using her/his nursing knowledge and professionalism, all while centered in the spiritual dimension of caring.
The Western PA Conference Health as Wholeness Team offers assistance to congregations who want to start a health ministry. Contact AbundantHealth@wpaumc.org