To continue the whole healing ministry of Jesus Christ through health Ministry. . What is a Health Ministry? Broadly defined, a health ministry is anything a faith community is doing to promote the wholistic well-being of the people in its membership and/or in the community. There are many ways to do health ministry. Each congregation is unique and has its own set of resources and needs. Examples of health ministries could range from visitation of the sick to worship and prayer to educational programs on specific health issues. Even a food pantry or program for the homeless could be a health ministry, as adequate nutrition and housing are basic elements of health. Health ministries may be highly organized or more fluid. Congregations are almost always already engaged in health ministry, whether they call it that or not. The point of a health emphasis is to make explicit the link between the commitments of the religious tradition, the activities of the congregation and the way this relates to people's overall well-being. Why a Health Ministry? Today we see people disabled from conditions that are greatly impacted by lifestyle behaviors. In fact, 54% of our health status is a result of lifestyle choices. These conditions might be prevented or better managed if they 1) knew the risks associated with many health problems, 2) believed that healthy activities could be beneficial, and 3) could receive appropriate health care services and resources. Lifestyle changes that can improve the quality of life have been identified as engaging in consistent moderate exercise; cessation from smoking and other addictions; consuming a diet high in fiber, and low in fat and cholesterol; increasing social support; and actively managing stress. Today, several of the leading causes of death/Heart Disease, Cancers, Strokes, Injuries, Chronic Lung Disease, Pneumonia/ Influenza, Diabetes, Suicide, HIV/AIDS, Homicide, Liver Disease/are considered "lifestyle" diseases because they could be reduced through common sense changes in lifestyle. Oftentimes we speculate on or presume to know the causes of these "lifestyle" diseases and disabilities from specific behaviors exhibited by the individual at risk. For example, the person who suffers a heart attack might consume a diet high in saturated fat, engage in little or no exercise and might smoke. The person involved in a motor vehicle accident might have been speeding or consuming alcohol. Perhaps the person was not wearing a seatbelt. These are examples of things that we observe and speculate on and, when a family member, loved one or friend whose death, disease, disability is caused by a specific behavioral action, we discuss and share with one another our own need to "do better" or admit that we "need to make some changes." Sadly, the time for making needed changes in our own lives gets pushed on the back burner until a crisis hits. And then there are those diseases that often go undetected until it is too late/sadness, loneliness, hopelessness, helplessness, lovelessness, insecurities, personal guilt and persecution, abandonment, discouragement, low self-esteem and image, stress, depression, and a broken heart (to name a few). These are symptoms of pending disability and serious health change if they continue to go undetected. These are the diseases that we often cannot readily observe. They are masked. People are masking these emotions because they fear rejection if anyone really knew what they were going through/if anyone knew the "real deal". People are masking these emotions because society teaches us to be strong and to "pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps". We are taught to laugh on the outside and not to let anyone see us cry. There is so much pain. Pain so deep that we cannot pull ourselves up or call out for help to anyone. We cry out in anguish "Oh God, help me"! It is in the context of these often "undetected" diseases that the emotional, mental and spiritual dimensions of health must further emerge. It is in these three dimensions that the church must take the lead role. For many, health is narrowly defined and specifically targeted to one dimension/the physical. Health consists of five dimensions/physical, social, emotional, mental, and spiritual. An individual is considered healthy when all of these dimensions are working together in harmony. Because healing does not necessarily mean curing (as we tend to think) A Health Ministry involves emotional, mental and spiritual healing which can occur during illness even when curing of the disease is not present. Galatians 5:15 reminds us to "Love our neighbors, as ourselves". As Christians we are called to love as Jesus Christ has loved. We are called to service, as Jesus Christ served. We have the responsibility to minister to those in need.