LCF's Health Ministry -- a division of HELPS

Providing a program that uses all the talents of our congregation to bring restoration and healing to the body of Christ, both physically and spiritually; and to each use our skills to bring the fullest glory to God.

 

Faith Community Nursing, as it is referred to, is the practice of nursing which holds the spiritual dimension to be central to the practice.  It began in the midwest and in 1997 the American Nurses Assosication designated it as a specialty practice with scope and standards of practice developed nationally.

The Faith Community Nurse role balances knowledge & skill, science, theology, humanities, and service and worship with the nursing paradigm.

The Faith Community Nurse, in collaboration with the pastoral staff and congregational members, participates in the ongoing transformation of the faith community into a source of health and healing.  Through partnership with other community health resources this ministry fosters new and creative responses to health concerns.

Our focus is health promotion and illness prevention or "stewardship of the body".  We endeavor to reclaim the biblical understanding of the dynamic integration of body, spirit, mind, emotions, and social areas.  We desire to walk with people through the transitions of life, to help them grow spiritually, and to find a language of hope in the midst of these transitions.

The Benefits of a Faith Community Nursing Ministry...

Q: How will this new ministry serve the congregation in light of what God is already doing at LCF?
A: ...by attempting to fulfill Jesus' directive to bind up the wounds of those who are hurting and lost in more ways than just their soul, both within the congregation and outside of it.  It will facilitate those in our body who have skills and talents for health and wellness, education, and spiritual healing to begin using them.  

Q: How will this ministry assist the Pastoral Staff at LCF?
A: Just as nurses function as the eyes and ears for physicians, faith community nurses can function as the eyes and ears for the pastoral staff; they may assist families by easing the burden of caring for those with chronic health support needs; they can build a sense of community and lessen the expectation that the Pastors are the only ones who can meet their needs.

What do Faith Community Nurses do?....

As members of the ministerial team they:
 - offer spiritual care and support through prayer, Biblical references & analogies, active listening, affirmation, encouragement, reassurance, reframing, reminiscence, music, and the arts.

As teachers and health counselors they:
- help explore ways to cope more effectively with physical problems, safety concerns, emotional struggles, relationship difficulties, stressful life transitions, and day-to-day issues.

As advocates they:
- work as map readers for the health care maze, assist with end-of-life issues, help to make sense out of new diagnoses, lab results, and medications.

As referral resource persons they:
- refer people to needed sources of help when they don't know where to turn and collaborate with other members of the health care provision system.

If you are interested in serving in any capacity please contact Carrie Abbott, RN at carrie@lcfministries.org or (H)315-365-3584 or (C)315-651-2997

As this ministry grows here are a sampling of the ways we will serve our communities...

stress management

 - Unplanned Pregnancy
 - Family Issues
 - Divorce/Grief
 - Mental Health Issues
 - Disaster/Emergency Preparedness

medical

- Nutritional Counseling
- Disease Management
 - Health Counseling
 - Hospice Assistance
 - Prescription Questions
 - Medical Supply Loan Closet

spiritual health

 - Prayer Support
 - Resource Recommendations
 - Spiritual Crisis Management
 - Spiritual Healing

resource referral

- in the event that help is not currently available through the "body" we have a database of many agencies and organizations in the community we can direct you to for further assistance.

CONTACT

If you are interested in accessing any of our health resources please contact Carrie Abbott, RN at carrie@lcfministries.org or (H)315-365-3584 or (C)315-651-2997