Religious Health Assets...

I've been delving into the program called the Congregational Health Network in Memphis, Tennessee. A wonderful program through Methodist LeBonheur Health System and their partners. One really intriguing aspect is the process of mapping religious health assets in Memphis. This mapping is a process of looking at neighborhoods within greater Memphis and identifying those places where people receive life information.

Surprising places were identified such as laundromats, beauty parlors and barber shops, grocery stores, etc. Places that were key structures within the life of the community and where people frequently went. Kind of like the "Cheers" bar "where everybody knows your name", these are places that people went to and felt a sense of belonging (coherence). They were connected to each other and to each other's lives, and not surprisingly, they shared health information with each other.

Religious health mapping includes faith-based organizations (FBO) that consider themselves to be a health asset. Interestingly, not a lot of FBO's in the U.S. consider themselves to be this. This is not surprising when one looks at how religion has been pushed aside by Medicine - only being asked back in to the party once "everything has been done". Re-integrating FBO's into the public health system will mean rekindling of the spark that says that spiritual health is every bit as important as physical health.

How does your FBO see itself in relation to health, wellness and wholeness? Is there a formal ministry of health that seeks to improve the lives of the congregation and local community? Are there health professionals who routinely come to your FBO? Would they be interested in working on this type of ministry?

Many questions, but I suspect few answers. Much to be in discernment about, however. I wish you peace as you explore this possibility for improved health, wellness and wholeness.

Peace,
Dan