Stewardship of Health

Advertisements bombard us every day, telling us what we need for a full and happy life. Rather than purchasing easy solutions, Charlotte 2005 delegates recognized there is much we can do and emphasized the need for more information and models to practice the stewardship of health.

Stewardship of health starts with the premise that we are the products of a divine creation and God declared creation good. The psalmist says that our bodies are wonderfully made. The process of being a faithful steward of our health starts as we look within ourselves and draw near to God who loves us. We then take responsibility for making the choices that lead to a full life, living toward the potential of our good creation. This is the message of Ingrid Friesen Moser’s new book, Body Talk: Speaking the Words of Health, published in time for San José 2007.

Working proactively to be faithful stewards of health at both the individual and congregational levels brings honor to God and strengthens the church. Stewardship of health is essential for healthy pastors and healthy congregations. The church is better equipped to carry out its missional purpose when congregations are on an intentional journey to be faithful stewards of health.

Invariably, sharing of concerns in our church services is dominated by physical health concerns. Through the consideration of stewardship of health, some congregations are coming to grips with a redefinition of health that includes all of health: spiritual, physical, mental and emotional. Inherent in this redefinition is the recognition that stewardship of health has implications for the individual, for the congregation as a community within a larger community, and for how the healthcare system is utilized.

This approach has led to a number of congregational-based activities such as:

a health Sunday worship service based on the story of the paralytic brought to Jesus (Mark 2:1-12);
classes on healthy choices in exercise and food (including church potluck dinners);
instruction in mental health, stress reduction and CPR;
support for end-of-life planning and decisions;
support the completion of a Living Will and Power of Attorney for Health Decisions;
a parish nurse program for routine health screenings and to help individuals gain access to healthcare;
community-wide health screening programs;
helping handicapped persons and people with disabilities to meaningfully relate and contribute to the church and community.

Resources have been developed to help individuals and congregations address the issue of stewardship of health.

Worship Resource: Carried to Jesus the Healer, was developed for use on Health Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007. Copies are available on both the Mennonite Church USA and MMA Web sites3.

Books:

Body Talk, Speaking the Words of Health, in a 12-chapter, Bible study format, explores in greater depth what it means to be a good steward of the gift of health.
Resources available from Mennonite Publishing Network include the Simply in Season cookbook and accompanying study guide, as well as a children’s version.

Congregational Health Ministries “How To” Resources:

Improving the Health of Your Congregation: A how-to guide to starting a health ministry in your church is an introductory brochure with practical tips and suggestions from MMA.Discussion
Congregational Health Ministries Network, sign up and receive ongoing support, practical tools, and a quarterly newsletter. Provided by MMA with help from Mennonite Nurses Association. (www.parishnurses.org)
Parish Nursing On-Line Courses available through Eastern Mennonite University and Mennonite Nurses Association. Designed for nurses and nursing students. Find out more from Eastern Mennonite University or Mennonite Nurses Association Web

sites.

Wellness Program: Begins with the idea that all of life is worship, including how we live in and care for our bodies This program will help individuals or congregations make critical lifestyle choices that promote healthy living. Available through MMA.

Mennonite Senior Sports Classic: Organized by Mennonite Association of Retired Persons and held biennially on the campus of one of the church colleges. Next event to be scheduled in 2008.

Additional Resources: (available through MMA)

Faithful stewardship, your health, resources and community: This DVD and discussion guide from MMA) tells the stories of three people who have demonstrated health stewardship.
Making Your Wishes Known: This resource will help one making faith-informed decisions and can help families understand the wishes of the person in a health crisis.
Your health story: Understanding your past … reshaping your future: This resource will help to reflect on your health story and how you’ve been influenced by others.

Resources from MMA are available through www.mma-online.org or by calling (800) 348-7468, Ext. 269.

What can delegates do?

Learn what stewardship of health is all about and how it may be applied in your congregation.
Learn what other congregations have done to implement stewardship of health.
Start a health ministries program in your church. Most congregations have found the necessary resources within their own church to implement a health ministries program.
Encourage your congregation to follow Jesus’ example to meet people’s needs, whether spiritual, physical or mental.

FOOTNOTES

3 Available here