WHO ARE YOU Resource Center
Step 1:
WHO ARE YOU?
What the Initiative Means to You
Step 3:
Individual/Clergy Health
Step 4:
Congregational Health
Step 2: Congregations
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WHAT THE INITIATIVE MEANS TO YOU
HEALTH AND WELLNESS MINISTRIES IN YOUR CONGREGATION
The following seventh initiative was approved at Annual Conference 2006:
TO EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF-CARE FOR CLERGY, STAFF AND LAITY AND TO FACILITATE INTENTIONAL HEALTH MINISTRIES FOR BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT IN AND THROUGH OUR CHURCHES.
As a congregation, you play a very important role in the realization of this Vision Initiative. Health and Wellness Ministries begin in the local church. HolyHealthyUMC was initially visioned to provide health and wellness resources for Arkansas Methodist clergy and their families. This program has now been expanded to encompass every Methodist in the conference.
Your task in meeting the Vision Initiative is two-fold: First, you are asked to support health and wellness for your clergy, staff and families, and the members of your congregation. Secondly, you are tasked with determining the "health" of your congregation as a whole, and to look closely at the unique needs of your membership. There is no one-size-fits-all program. Is your membership made up largely of retirees, or young families? Are there environmental or social conditions that exist in your area that affect your membership? These are the kinds of questions that must be addressed to assess your congregation's health needs.
Does your church have a Health and Wellness Committee? If so, is the committee fully addressing the health needs of your congregation? This area will provide you a step-by-step guide for beginning or growing a thriving health ministry in your church.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS COMMITTEE: GUIDELINES
The General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church provides all of the information local congregations need to build and grow health and wellness resources in the local church. From information on becoming a "Model" congregation to ideas for activities in your church and community and more, the GBGM provides the building blocks for your health ministries.
INSPIRATION CORNER
Did you know that, according to a 2003 Pulpit and Pew survey, over 76% of Protestant ministers are either overweight or obese (compared to 61% of the general population)? Or that 40% of pastors indicate that they are at times depressed, or worn out “some or most of the time?” The reasons for this trend are debatable. The results, however, are frighteningly clear.
Two major studies found that Protestant clergy had the highest overall work-related stress of religious professionals, and (even more frighteningly), the highest death rates from heart disease of any occupation.