1. Why does The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada use the term Parish Nurse rather than Congregational or Pastoral Care Nurse?

While it is true that most evangelical churches refer to their collective church as a congregation rather than a parish, the term Parish Nurse arises from an established program that originated with mainline churches. It originated in much the same way that Stephen?s Ministry or Alpha programs originated within the mainline churches, and yet both these programs have become accepted across denominations. These types of programs that address the deep physical, mental and spiritual needs of our culture have been widely embraced by the evangelical as well as mainline denominations. Dr. Franklin Pyles has done much to extend the Alliance understanding of "parish? ? really, the community in which God has placed us and in which we are called to serve.

The term Parish Nurse has also been accepted as a professional designation within the nursing profession as evidenced by the training programs for Parish Nurses and the bulk of the published professional literature. Being consistent in the terminology enables Parish Nurses to gain understanding and acceptance with our professional colleagues as health care systems increasingly recognize the importance of integrating a spiritual component into physical and mental health.

An unforeseen advantage is that the term Parish is recognized as a Christian term ? this movement delights in being a Christian movement first and foremost. Today, Parish Nursing is an international, interdenominational movement of Christian nurses who share the belief that, in the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, we have a unique responsibility and contribution to make in the physical, mental and spiritual health of our communities. Within The Christian and Missionary Alliance, this is reflected as Parish Nurses link faith and health and become "Hands of Prayer and Care?.

As a Registered Nurse (someone who holds a valid registration with their local professional organization), the Parish Nurse is appropriately educated and professionally qualified to assess needs, support, educate and refer individuals to the most appropriate health information and health providers. Being a Registered Nurse, accountable to a licensing body for training and continuing education - that is what makes Parish Nurse Ministry safe and workable for the church.

There is training for Parish Nurses ? they are viewed by their licensing bodies as Nurses in Independent practice? and there are nursing standards and core competencies that need to be adhered to. From a spiritual aspect, Parish Nurse education enables the trained Parish Nurse to assess and address the spiritual needs of individuals and groups.

In addition, the mature and personal faith of the Parish Nurse puts her/him in a unique position to promote the understanding of the vital connection between health and faith and of how a healthy physical and emotional life can enhance a person?s spiritual life.

The Parish Nurse seeks to promote health and nurture a ministry of healing to those who seek to be whole in body, mind and spirit. The Parish Nurse does this through health-focused spiritual (pastoral) care, health education, health counseling, referral, advocacy and, in many cases, by recruiting, training and supporting lay volunteers to complement the existing health services.

Parish Nursing is a ministry ? a calling. When Parish Nurses tell their stories about what attracted them to Parish Nurse Ministry it is because it integrates both their professional nursing skill with their life of faith and service ? ministry. And this is what Parish Nurse Ministry aims to do for the Church ? it aims to link faith and health.

Ideally, yes. In most cases, volunteering only goes so far. Some of that may depend on the model of parish nurse ministry that is used. I would encourage the church to contact myself or our western point person to discuss the different models of parish nurse ministry. I, myself, am considered part of the pastoral staff. One of our western churches has a team of registered nurses that volunteer 4 hours a week to coordinate a parish nurse ministry that centers around a program called Church Serve? where local community health agencies call the church for help in getting seniors to doctor?s appointments and other health needs that the community health cannot address. This is an example of how Parish Nurse Ministry is truly a wholistic ministry. But whether a member of the pastoral or lay ministry team, the role of the Parish Nurse is to strengthen the current ministries of the local church and to support the abilities of individuals, families and congregations in dealing with health care challenges.

6. How can your local church develop a Parish Nurse Ministry?

Pray. Then plan. Then pray some more!

Pray:

? That God will bring the right person, the right registered nurse who has felt the call of God on their life to share their gifts, skills & faith.

? That God would reveal His perfect will as to how this ministry is to be founded and funded.

? That this will be a good match for the needs of the congregation

? That others of like-minded interest will support this initiative for health & healing ministries

? That there would be good communication between the pastoral staff, the Board of Elders and the potential parish nurse.

Plan:

? To form a small committee around the ministry ? it could be called Health Ministries, Health & Wellness, Parish Nurse Ministry, Compassion & Care Ministries

? To assess the health needs of the congregation ? this should include body, mind & spirit.

7. How can we as a church support the parish nurses in our congregations?

• Pray for your parish nurse ? because of the confidentiality around health and its management, their work is often done quietly ? out of the spotlight. Sometimes, it cannot be shared openly. The Parish Nurse often works with individuals who are going through their "dark night of the soul? ? perhaps it is a journey of some type of chronic illness, or a depression, situations of physical or emotional abuse?. These are burdens we cannot bear alone, the Parish Nurse is called to lay her burdens into the hands of Jesus ? but like all of us, sometimes that is easier said than done. So Pray for your Parish Nurse as you would pray for your other pastoral staff. Pray of wisdom, godly understanding, a deep spiritual walk, for the physical and emotional strength to accompany others on their journey ? not the one mile, but the two. Pray for the marriages & families of the Parish Nurse?. Again, just like you pray for others on your pastoral staff.
• Support the Parish Nurse outreaches ? bring a non-churched friend to a health seminar ? health topics, and support groups are easy bridges to build from the community/parish to the church
• Volunteer your own skills to the ministry ? from hospitality, administration to gifts of mercy and compassion ? these can all be used in Parish Nurse Ministry.
• Ensure that your Parish Nurse, like your other pastors, get sufficient Sabbath rest ? your Parish Nurse wants to be able to hear the voice of God?s Spirit even when church life and ministry is very active.