1. ENGAGING THE CHURCH IN HEALTH MINISTRY
BY SHARON PLATT-MCDONALD ©
BUC HEALTH MINISTRIES DIRECTOR
& SPECIAL NEEDS COORDINATOR

2. JESUS’ MINISTRY MATTHEW 9:35 NKJ
“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people”.

3. INSPIRED DIRECTIVES
“Again and again I have been instructed that the medical missionary work is to bear the same relation to the work of the third angel’s message that the arm and hand bear to the body…..”
Ellen G. White, Testimonies, vol. 6, page 288.

4. INSPIRED DIRECTIVES
Medical missionary work is to be closely connected with the ministry of the Word, bound up with the third angel’s message, the last message of mercy and warning to be given to a guilty world. The work of health reform is to be bound up with the gospel. These cannot be separated; for God has united them. When these parts of the work are carried forward on correct lines, the third angel’s message will be given in accordance with God’s purpose.” – Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 5, page 134.

5. FUNCTION OF HEALTH MINISTRY
Health Ministries is believed to be the right hand of the gospel. It works in collaboration with other ministries within the church, to effectively herald the 3-Angel’s message and the message of health.

6. KEY OBJECTIVES
To make Christ known by ministering to the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of the church and the community.
Our goal for each member and for the community is to be HEALTHY, HAPPY, AND HOLY,
This echoes the message of 3 John 2, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

7. MISSION
Health Ministry is committed to promoting optimal levels of health to men, women, and children in our church and the surrounding community; by educating them on ways to prevent disease and ways to effectively manage existing health conditions.  It is dedicated to fulfilling the commission of Christ in Matthew 28:20, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” 

8. GOAL
Health Ministry offers a variety of wellness programs/activities that promote abundant health. 
The study of the Biblical principles and Spirit of Prophecy counsels on health and temperance are encouraged, as well as, the practice of principles in healthful living.
The programs are an ongoing witness of the benefits of making healthy lifestyle choices. 
The effectiveness of Health Ministries is measured from personal testimonials of changes in lifestyle and improved quality of life, as a result of healthy choices.

9. HEALTH EVANGELISM The ‘Right Arm of the Gospel’
“Gospel workers should be able to give instruction
in the principles of healthful living. There is
sickness everywhere, and, most of it might be
prevented by attention to the laws of health”

10. HEALTH EVANGELISM (continued)
The Bible
The Ministry of Healing
Counsels on Diet and Food
Mind, Personality and Character

11. ADVENTIST AND HEALTH
Seventh-day Adventists have been involved in health ministries since the 1860s. Today these ministries range from the large clinical institutions associated with our churches to the simple cooking school or smoking cessation class offered in many local churches

12. WHY HEALTH MINISTRY?
Inspire a healthy and spiritually balanced lifestyle (3 John 2)
Restore our bodies, to become a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1)
Motivate taking care of mind, body, and spirit, as God's temple
(1 Corinthians 3:16)
Incorporate a variety of healthy activities and principles to achieve optimal health (1 Corinthians 10:31)

13. MOTIVATION FOR HEALTH MINISTRY
To give new life to the sick complements the gospel presentation theologically and practically.
The counsel of Ellen White mandates health education and a healing ministry as an essential partner with the three angels’ messages.
Churches which offer need-based health ministries as part of a well-rounded church growth program do grow (see Christian Schwarz, Natural Church Development).
Churches which offer health ministries are themselves healthier physically and spiritually (providing they avoid the pitfall of fanaticism).

14. DEALING WITH CONFLICT AREAS
What are the current issues or challenges you face within your churches in regards to the health message?
What dietary principles do you see exhibited in your churches?
How closely does your church follow the inspired writings given to us in regards to our health and wellbeing?
Where conflict arises in these areas ensure there is adequate prayer cover, counselling and seeking God’s directive to deal with these issues

15. ENGAGING THE CHURCH Community based initiatives
Government funded programs
Regeneration grants
NHS targets ( How can your health department contribute?)
PCT and Health Authority programs (Dunstable health projects)
Annual national events (Vitality show – London)
Annual health fairs
Local community events (seasonal programs)
Community needs assessments

16. BE A SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST
Seventh Day Adventists live on average four more years than the rest of us, says Dr Pramil Singh of Loma Linda University in California.
Analysing data obtained about the diets of Seventh Day Adventists, who are strict vegetarians, and other long-term studies, Dr Singh said that "long-term vegetarians have a 3.6-year survival advantage" and lived to around 86.5 years of age.
Even just cutting down on meat could extend your lifespan.
German researchers found that people who eat meat infrequently times a month - have "significantly longer lives".

17. NATURAL THERAPIES
“Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power—these are the true remedies. Every person should have a knowledge of nature’s remedial agencies and how to apply them. It is essential both to understand the principles involved in the treatment of the sick and to have a practical training that will enable one rightly to use this knowledge.” – Ellen G. White, Ministry of Healing, page 127

18. WHOLISTIC HEALTH N.E.W.S.T.A.R.T C.E.L.E.B.R.A.T.I.O.N.S
NUTRITION, EXERCISE, WATER, SUNLIGHT, TEMPERANCE, AIR, REST & TRUST IN GOD
C.E.L.E.B.R.A.T.I.O.N.S
CHOICE, EXERCISE, LIQUIDS, ENVIRONMENT, BELIEF, REST, AIR, TEMPERANCE, INTEGRITY, OPTIMISM, NUTRITION, SOCIAL SUPPORT AND SERVICE
C.R.E.A.T.I.O.N HEALTH
CHOICES, REST, ENVIRONMENT, ACTIVITY, TRUST, INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS,
OUTLOOK, NUTRITION
M.E.E.T MINISTRY MISSIONARY EDUCATION AND EVANGELISTIC TRAINING
GODS PLAN
GODLY TRUST, OPEN AIR, DAILY EXERCISE, SUNSHINE, PLENTY OF REST, LOTS OF WATER, ALWAYS TEMPERATE, NUTRITION

19. CHIP MISSION Bring healing to the whole person - body, mind and spirit
Create lasting friendships for the church
Stimulate interest in the larger picture of Bible truth

20. Sharon Platt-McDonald ©
WHAT IS CHIP?
LIFESTYLE CHANGE PROGRAM
COMMUNITY BASED / FOCUSED
30 DAY PROGRAM
PARTICIPATIVE / DEMONSTRATIVE
SCIENTIFICALLY VALIDATED / PEER REVIEWED
DEVELOPED IN 1988 BY DR HANS DIEHL
50,000 GRADUATES WORLD WIDE
Sharon Platt-McDonald ©

21. CHIP IMPACT REVERSES CHRONIC LIFESTYLE ILLNESSES TYPE 2 DIABETES
HYPERTENSION
ATHEROSCELROSIS
DEPRESSION
OBESITY

22. NEC INVOLVEMENT IN MICROCHIP
PARTICIPATING CHURCHES:
BREATH OF LIFE
COMMUNITYOF HOPE
DUDLEY
LEAMINGTON SPA
NORTHAMPTON
WORCESTER

23. NEC CHIP PARTICIPANTS EVALUATION RESULTS
Weight loss
Lowered / stable blood glucose
Decreased Blood Pressure
More energy
Better sleep for longer hours
Cessation of medication on
Dr’s advice

24. NEC CHIP PARTICIPANTS EVALUATION RESULTS
Improvement of chronic health
condition – ulcerative colitis
Improved mental wellbeing
Lifting of depression and
cessation of anti-depressant
medication
The two non-SDA participants
maintained regular church
attendance:
Community of Hope –
(now baptised)
b) Worchester health programs

25. Marilyn Saddler Attended MicroCHIP program November / December 2007
Subsequently commenced
bible studies
Baptised into SDA Church
at Pavilion of Hope Campaign on 24th May 2008
Testified that “…the Health Message was largely responsible for me becoming a Seventh-day Adventist”

26. Health institutions
“Sanitariums and treatment-rooms should be established in many places. These will open doors for the entrance of Bible truth” (Review and Herald, March 23, 1905).

27. Food preparation
“Where ever the truth is proclaimed, instruction should be given in the preparation of healthful foods”
(Counsels on Diet & Foods p273 Ellen G. White)

28. MAKING MAN WHOLE Obeying biblical principles
Obeying the laws of health
Trust in God
Strong prayer life
Forgiveness
Witnessing of God’s love
Christian fellowship

29. ABUNDANT LIFE
Jesus said “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10)

30. Sharon Platt-McDonald
Health Ministries Director/Special Needs Co-ordinator
British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Stanborough Park, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD25 9JZ
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