Rediscovering a Ministry of Health: Parish Nursing as a Mission of the Local Church
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
It is not possible to look at the ministry of Jesus without noticing his concern for the poor and the sick. He not only had a huge sense of compassion for people who were suffering, but sent people out to heal the sick and tell them the Kingdom of God is near them. This concern for health and wholeness has inspired Christians through the ages as they have cared for the sick, founded hospitals, and been at the forefront of public health movements. In the nineteenth century, the church was one of the major influencers in initiating ministries of health, both through the work of its own deaconesses and the involvement of its members as they felt a sense of vocation to nursing and public health work. Florence Nightingale was a theologian and statistician as well as being a nurse leader. However, with the advent of state health provision and private health insurance schemes, the role of the local church in health has diminished. This book describes a simple way for churches to re-engage with health ministry and presents evidence that underlines not only a Biblical authenticity for its place in the mission of a local church, but also a compelling rationale for its implementation. It will be of interest to church leaders and all those involved in health care.
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”Helen Wordsworth tells an interesting story of how churches can
connect with their local communities through the medium of nursing
care, even in a context like the UK which has an effective system
of free national health care. It gives another insight into the
multi-faceted nature of holistic mission in Jesus’s name and shows
the positive effect such a ministry can have on a local
church."
--Derek Tidball, former Principal, London School of Theology,
Leicester, UK
“Helen Wordsworth is uniquely experienced in both ministry and
healthcare to offer insights on missional implications of parish
nursing. Her research demonstrates the impact this ministry has on
serving communities. She also provides an introduction to the
history, philosophy, and practice of parish nursing, explaining its
uniqueness in relation to healthcare and congregational settings in
the UK. Her significant findings and conclusions should be
considered by congregational and healthcare leaders
internationally."
--Deborah L. Patterson, former Executive Director, International
Parish Nurse Resource Center, Salem, OR
"Nobody in the UK knows more about parish nursing than Helen
Wordsworth, so I am delighted that she has written this
comprehensive account of its theological rationale; what it
involves in practice, and how it can make a significant
contribution to the holistic mission of the church. Her compelling
argument for the engagement of Christians with health care is also
a stirring challenge to any local church to consider the
appointment of a parish nurse."
--James Newcome, Lead Church of England Bishop for Health and
Social Care, Bishop of Carlisle, Keswick, UK
Product Details
- Title : Rediscovering a Ministry of Health: Parish Nursing as a Mission of the Local Church
- Author: Wordsworth, Helen A.
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Publication Date: 2015
- ISBN: 9781498205962
Helen Wordsworth is a Baptist minister with sixteen years of experience in mission enabling at regional level, alongside other denominations. She is also a Registered Nurse, Health Visitor, and Nurse Educator, and an Associate Fellow of Durham University Department of Theology. She is currently CEO of Parish Nursing Ministries UK, having introduced the concept to Britain in 2003.