A Health Ministry Team for
Congregational Care

Every church should do what it can to support healthy aging for all its members. CHAMPS is reaching into congregations to form health ministry teams be developing people, programs and materials to provide care within the congregation.

• A health ministry team consists of members of a congregation committed to healthy againg across the lifespan.
• This team identifies needs within the congregation and then serves the needs of the senior population while also reaching out to family, friends and service providers.
• The structure of teams is different in various settings as some start with staff and volunteers and others start with one motivated person. Whenever possible a Parish Nurse is a valuable part of the team but the majority of most teams are not health care professionals but individuals that are committed and passionate about healthy living.
• The health of a congregation is a goal that has tremendous impact on the individual, church and the community.

A Health Ministry Team can:

• Educate the members of the congregation.
• Provide support through services for life challenges and transitions.
• Support the congregation through defined programs of contact and care.
• Advocate for members who have difficulty receiving adequate health services.
• Coordinate and train volunteers in visitation, support groups, program planning and organization.
• Facilitate the use of gifts and talents of the members of the congregation to contribute to the health and healing of the church.
• Support individuals as they change through healthy lifestyle choices.
• Enlist resources of other churches and the community to support the identified need of the congregation.