Philosophy of Parish Nursing

Parish Nursing is an emerging area of specialized professional nursing practice distinguished by the following characteristics:

• Holds the spiritual dimension to be central to the practice. Encompasses the physical, psychological and social dimensions of nursing practice.
• Nurse balances knowledge and skill, sciences, theology and humanities, service and worship, nursing care with pastoral care functions. Historic role is intertwined with those of monks and nuns, deacons, traditional healers and the nursing profession.
• Focus: faith community and its ministry. Nurse collaborates with pastoral staff and congregational members in the ongoing transformation of the faith community into a source of health and healing.
• Designed to build on and strengthen capacities of individuals, family and congregations to understand and care for one another in light of their relationship to God, faith traditions, themselves and society. Holds that all persons are sacred and must be treated with respect and dignity. In response, the parish nurse assists and empowers individuals to become more active partners in the management of their personal health resources.
• Nurse understands health to be a dynamic process that embodies the spiritual, psychological, physical and social dimensions of the person. Spiritual health is central to well-being and influences a person’s entire being. Therefore, a sense of well-being and illness may occur simultaneously (see Bob Faus and Rusty Edwards’ hymn, “I Am Thankful,” Hymnal Supplement Series, No. 1076).
• Parish nurses take responsibility for their own professional development.

Parish Nursing: Responsibilities and Opportunities

• Recognize the trust given you — covenant to share in the responsibility set for your congregational health ministry.
• Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, guidance of the scriptures, the “pulse” of the congregation and needs of the wider community.
• Work as a team member with the rest of the pastoral staff and offer support and counsel to ministry staff and health committee members.
• Keep handy for reference — the Bible, congregational constitution and by-laws and Parish Nurse reference. Keep current with new resources in the field.
• In the midst of many immediate and urgent demands, pause for deeper thought, pray for vision, evaluate the moment and the issues. Make it a priority to maintain your own spiritual, physical and emotional health.
• Aim for accountability for yourself. Maintain confidentiality.
• Be willing to read, study, listen and participate in making informed decisions.

Thus you will be best equipped to:

• Provide necessary support and information to cope with difficult life circumstances.
• Facilitate family healing.
• Facilitate reconciliation with God and the church.
• Accompany another along a journey of pain and uncertainty.
• Assist another towards a peaceful death.
• Facilitate a unexpected healing.
• Network among people.
• Help bring together a community of healing.

How to Begin a Health Ministry Program

Essential Considerations

• Success is proportional to prayer and preparation
• Tailor the ministry to the specific faith community
• Build ownership of the ministry within the congregation
• Clear lines of authorization as much as possible
• Network

Specifics
I. Learn all you can

• Read The Parish Nurse by Granger Westberg (see also Sources and Resources).
• Educate yourself about health ministries, preventative medicine, wellness, health and healing and faith/theology.
• Read and interpret how your denomination understands health and wholeness.
• Test ideas with others (share resources).
• Define and describe how you see the program within the church.
• Contact and schedule a visit with a parish nurse in
  your area.

II. Pray for God’s timing, vision, direction and guidance

• Learn what the scriptures teach about faith and health.

III. Team with church leadership team and pastor

• Pastor provides access to congregation.
• Pastor provides support.
• Pastor provides grounding in biblical/theological teaching.
• Pastor helps create vision for the ministry.
• Meet with other leaders/deacons/Stephen’s ministry/member care staff.
• Seek out other nurses and health care professionals in the faith community.
• Be ready to field questions like: How will the ministry contribute to the faith community? How will it enhance the pastor’s ministry? What will it cost? What about legal issues? How will you get to the people? They to you?
• Be able to identify special needs and benefits in your congregation.
• Identify caring and health activities already taking place within the faith community.

IV. Develop the ministry a step at a time

• Confirm what kind of health ministry is needed and you desire/can begin
• Become visible; educate the congregation; place “Health Hints” in church newsletter, do blood pressure screenings after worship, send get well notes to church members; create a bulletin board to display information
• Raise the consciousness of congregational health concerns and potentials
• Plan for formal presentation and recognition as program progresses

V. Form Health Cabinet/Team

• Provides direction for health ministry
• Provides support to individuals actively involved
• Involve key lay members as well as professionals (ownership)
• Identify roles and responsibility of cabinet
• Develop a timetable for progress of program
• Determine to whom the cabinet and nurse report

VI. Develop goals (Use church mission statement)

• Set objectives in terms of six months to one year increments
• Make a plan for evaluation and reports
• Review a job description
• Consider budget, education and supplies

VII. Implement program

• Designated time and space in church facility.
• Begin file of visits, contacts, potential contacts. Store in locked file.
• Survey faith community to identify needs and resource (time and talent, health and welfare needs). Analyze results and share with pastor, health cabinet.
• Develop forms for documentation (record time, activities and mileage). Legal and privacy issues.
• Develop a resource file.

VIII. Plan for a recognition/commissioning service

• Validates health ministry.
• Affirms its spiritual roots.
• Raises awareness of faith community to its new ministry.

Gwen Brumbaugh-Keeney, RN, Ph.D., is a midwife and international health consultant. She also is a member of the Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, Elgin, Ill., and chairs the Health Education and Research Ministry of ABC.

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