6 Ways Your Church Can Minister To The Chronically Ill
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by: LisaCopen
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1 in 3 people in the U.S. have a chronic condition. If it's not you, it's someone sitting next to you or a friend who has yet to reveal her greatest personal struggle.
Chronic illnesses are often invisible. In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 96% of the people who have an illness do not use an assistive device, like a wheelchair or cane, and may not show any effects of the illness. Pain from a car accident, or the pain and fatigue from an illness such as lupus or fibromyalgia, is nearly always undetectable. But many of these people who suffer still get up and get to church, despite the chronic pain because they desire to stay a part of the church body.
I distinctly remember trying to make it through a service. My rheumatoid arthritis was flaring a great deal. I stood up during worship when they announced, "Please stand," but I had to grab onto the pew in front of me just to balance. With knees that need join replacement and feet that are deformed and breaking down, I nearly laughed as the worship song lyrics were, "I will stand in spite of pain."
Surrounded by people who care about me, a church I love, I still felt lonely and misunderstood. How must those with illness who also deal with deep depression cope when they feel even their own church doesn't understand the magnitude of their illness?
It's obvious that churches already have an overwhelming amount of needs that must be fulfilled. Some of these needs are obvious and they often rise to the top of the priority list. So when people don't even verbalize about their pain level or illness symptoms that change their lifestyle, it's hard to understand where a church could begin to help. Pastors ask, "If they aren't speaking up, then doesn't that mean they are coping with it fine? They believe in God and we have a healing service every six months. Isn't that enough?"
Let's look at some stunning statistics:
- Despite what we are led to believe by our media, 60% of the people who suffer with daily pain or illness are between the ages of 18 and 64. - 75 percent of marriages that have at least one person with a chronic illness end in divorce. - Depression has been found to be 15-20% higher for the chronically ill than it is for the average person. - Various studies have discovered that physical illness (not mental illness) or uncontrollable physical pain are major factors in up to 70% of suicides.*
Whether the need is obvious or not, we should be concerned because our churches are filled with many people who are living with chronic pain. And when chronic pain exists, broken spirits are also there. People are hurting silently and need help and encouragement. These are the broken-hearted that Jesus says he will give comfort.
But the question is, if people aren't talking about their pain, how do you know how to reach out to them? How can you understand their needs?
(1) First, do a survey in your church to find out what some of the needs are that people may not be talking out loud about. This is particularly important if you are in a large church; this is because a recent Barna group study discovered that larger churches were the least likely to mention congregational care ministries as a priority (Church Priorities for 2005 Vary Considerably). When people don't feel a personal connection to the church staff or others, they are less likely to share their vulnerabilities. Too frequently, they are given a list of healing scriptures and sent on their way.
Ask questions on a survey such as, "If we provided transportation, such as a van ride, would it increase your ability to attend church? If you were too ill to attend church, would you listen to the service on the internet? Do you know who to call at the church if you occasionally need personal assistance (especially when the illness is chronic and not acute)? Are you able to see the worship song lyrics on the overhead, or would having them available on paper also be helpful? Please rate the comfort level of our seats." Sit down with a group of people who live with chronic pain and brainstorm ideas with them about what would increase their church attendance or connection with the church and then prioritize what they say.
(2) Organize a care group, similar to other small groups your church has, for the chronically ill. For example, Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization for those who live with chronic illness, has a small group program, HopeKeepers. They have a great selection of resource materials, Bible studies and support for group leaders. A group like this can be a turning point for people who really need the hands on support and understanding. Talking and praying about one's illness week after week in a regular small group can feel like you are a burden to others. But having a small group environment that is a "safe place" where everyone "speaks the same language" and even laughs at the same silly stories can be refreshing. The group doesn't need to be large. Even just having the chance to hand out with one other person can be life-changing. Be a church that recognizes the struggles of chronic illness and provide an oasis for people.
(3) Invite guest speakers who have physical disabilities or live with chronic illness. There are amazing people that speak at churches, sharing their testimony and a wonderful message. By letting them be on stage and reveal what God has done in their lives, despite physical challenges, lets people in your church who are ill see that you do in fact recognize their needs. It reminds them that you care, and perhaps most importantly of all, that you believe that people with physical challenges are still worthy to be used by God (a message few hear from their church). Speakers such as Dave Dravecky, Lisa Copen, Joni Eareckson Tada, Nick Vujicic, and many others, minister to the masses, not just those with disabilities.
(4) Consider adding a parish nurse to your staff, especially if your church body has a lot of seniors. According to the Marquette University College of Nursing, the number of parish nurses in United States is estimated to be about 6000. Many retired nurses are finding this area of ministry appealing and parish nurse certification can be found at most hospitals. The parish nurse position description can include anything from going to homes to monitor diabetes or high blood pressure of church members to organizing health fairs, screenings, and walking groups. The role of the parish nurse may cover the needs of your illness and disability ministries, depending on the demographics of your church. A parish nurse would also work closely with the congregational care pastor.
(5) Have your church library be the source for all materials related to health, illness, caregiving, and Christian ministries. A large percentage of people with chronic illness are on a fixed-income and yet they really want encouragement. So fill up your library with items like books on living with chronic illness such as "Why Can't I Make People Understand?" or "Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend," by Lisa Copen or Joni Eareckson Tada's remarkable book on suffering, "When God Weeps." Subscribe to a few magazine subscriptions like "HopeKeepers", "Guideposts" or even "Arthritis Today." Don't forget books on tape, audio presentations and large-print items when they are available. Be a part of creating awareness in the church by posting flyers or having brochures available about chronic illness or disability ministries, such as Joni and Friends "Wheels for the World" program or Rest Ministries' annual outreach, "National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week." A volunteer could also put together a binder of local and national ministry resources.
(6) Finally, and this is an important point, recognize that people who live with illness want to serve others. Not just be served. Proverbs 11:25 tells us that "He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." So when a woman tells you that she must resign from the church choir because she can no longer make rehearsals, make sure that she understands that your church body will miss her in that area, but that there are other areas you will welcome her service when she is ready and able. For example, she may find that writing notes of encouragement to members of the church who live with illness and feel alone, may be a way to share her gifts on her own schedule. A man who can no longer commit to leading a weekly small group may find that he enjoys mentor another man one-on-one, perhaps even one who lives with illness and feels there is no one to be authentic with. People in the church need to know that the church body values wounded healers and that the church believes that God comforts us "so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God" (2 Corinthians 1:4).
Nearly twice per month someone tells me that after much prayer and consideration they went to their pastor with a request to start a chronic illness HopeKeepers ministry. And his response was "When you are healed, then you can minister to others. Until then you need to focus on yourself." I've seen so many broken spirits because people are told, in so many words, that until God heals them, they are no longer useful to the Lord or the church body.
Luke 14:21 tells us that Jesus shares a parable of a great banquet. When the host's friends all turned down his hospitality he instructs, "Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame." This is still a commandment to our churches today. First, we must work on providing a setting where we offer unconditional hospitality. We need to first "go out" into our own congregation and provide a place of refuge; then the people who have experienced the comfort in our church will be available to walk alongside the rest of the neighborhood with open arms of understanding.
About the Author
Get a free download of 200 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend from "Beyond Casseroles" by Lisa Copen when you subscribe to HopeNotes invisible illness ezine at Rest Ministries. Lisa founded of Invisible Illness Week
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