FAITH COMMUNITIES
Bring Health Ministry to Your Congregation
Help faith communities and health systems work in partnership to deliver whole-person health and wellness — linking mind, body, and spirit.
WHAT IS HEALTH MINISTRY?
A Specialized Practice Rooted in Whole-Person Care
Faith community nurses and health ministers work with faith community leaders, serving as skilled and trained team members to support pastoral and other caring ministries.
Together, they bridge the gap between health systems and faith communities — promoting wellness, providing referrals, and caring for the whole person in body, mind, and spirit.
Faith community nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that focuses on the intentional care of the spirit as well as on the promotion of holistic health and prevention or minimization of illness within the context of a faith community and the wider community.
— American Nurses Association, Faith Community Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 3rd Edition
THE TWO ROLES
Faith Community Nurse & Health Minister
Faith Community Nurse
Also known as Parish Nurse
Health educator promoting wellness
Health counselor advocating personal responsibility
Teacher and coordinator of volunteers
Referral agent and liaison with community resources
Integrator of faith and health
Health advocate
Requires an active nursing license. A licensed registered nurse (RN) is trained to provide clinical health education and holistic care and acts within their scope of practice.
Health Minister
Also known as Congregational Health Promoter
Teacher and coordinator of volunteers
Referral agent and liaison with community resources
Integrator of faith and health
Developer of support groups
Health advocate
A Health Minister is typically a layperson or other professional who focuses strictly on holistic ministry and education without performing clinical assessments.
DAY TO DAY
How FCNs & Health Ministers Serve
Both faith community nurses and health ministers support the work of pastors, clergy, rabbis, and other faith community leaders through a variety of activities.
Actively listening and providing prayer if requested
Meet people where they are at
Providing referrals to health and human services organizations
Ministering to families facing depression, dementia, other illness, and end-of-life care choices
Planning health-related activities with emphases on holistic health and intentional care of the spirit
Using evidence-based techniques such as blood pressure screening and other preventive approaches
HEARD FROM FAITH LEADERS
What Pastors & Clergy Are Saying
Rev. Deanna Murray, Pastoral Care Associate
First Congregational United Church of Christ, Bellingham
"Pastors are always coming into contact with folks who are dealing with something health or healing related. Pastors aren’t doctors. So, the faith community nurse being in touch with the pastor and vice-versa is an ideal kind of ministry. It’s really a wonderful program. We’re glad to have it here."
Pastor Mike Sloftra, Community Life Pastor
Sonlight Church, Lynden
"I have learned a great deal about the work of care in the midst of suffering from the example set forth by the faith community nurses in our community. The faithful and compassionate care they provide is a shining example of very practical love."
Rev. Bobbi Virta, Pastor (Ret.)
United Church of Ferndale
"I feel like I have a partner in ministry. I didn't realize how much I was holding internally, needing to care for everybody. Being in partnership with someone who has the medical knowledge and who is willing to step up, organize, implement and follow through is a huge, huge gift."
Rev. Jamie Kepros, Pastor
Lummi Island Congregational Church
"One gift our health ministers have given me is rarely having to arrange for pastoral backup. If I need to be gone, I pretty much know there will be someone there to support anyone who might need help."