Principles & Practice of Health Evangelism
Chapter 13
Finding the Right Personnel
Textbook pages 107-121
Who are the people who should be conducting health evangelism programs? What is the personnel mix you need for a successful program? The 5-Day Plan to Stop Smoking was designed to be conducted by a doctor and minister team. In some places these programs were conducted by other health professionals and even by laymen. Let’s look at personnel issues in conducting health evangelism programs.
The Minister
It is natural to assume that a health evangelism program conducted in the local church would utilize the services of the local pastor. There is a role for your pastor in health evangelism, but I believe the pastor’s role should not be central to the program.
The pastor is a busy person. It is not necessary or desirable for the pastor to personally conduct every program at the church. Health evangelism programs should be conducted by church members. Pastors have many responsibilities that occupy their time. If your pastor is particularly busy, but still generally supportive of health evangelism programs, give your pastor a break and structure your health evangelism program so the pastor has only a small but important involvement.
Over the course of years, pastors tend to come and go. If health evangelism programs are too dependent on the pastor, an established program might die if the pastor moves away. It is better to have health evangelism programs established, conducted, and maintained by church members. In this way there will be more stability of your programs if the pastor moves on to other assignments.
Then again, some pastors do not live the health message. Pastors, who are overweight, do not exercise regularly, openly drink coffee or tea will tend to have a negative influence on health evangelism programs. Under these circumstances, it might be wise not to conduct any health evangelism programs in your church until the situation is more favorable.
At times, pastors become jealous of the success church members are having in doing health evangelism programs. When this occurs, a subtle antagonism will develop toward you, your committee, or the health evangelism program itself. The pastor may consistently come to your program late or boycott a meeting or two.
The pastor may suggest interrupting an established cycle of health evangelism programs so he may conduct some other program he is more interested in. If this should happen to you, it will be better for you to quit doing health evangelism for a while. If the problem persists and health evangelism activities are suppressed for a prolonged period, you might consider transferring your health evangelism activities to another church that will be more receptive.
Under no circumstances should you insist on conducting health evangelism in your church if you sense any negativity on the part of the pastor. I learned this lesson the hard way. I was a full-time health evangelist for a local Seventh-day Adventist Church in Maryland. The pastor of the church, with whom I thought I was going to work, was transferred to another Conference the same week I arrived at the church.
The conference assigned a newly baptized, and not yet ordained pastor, to work with me in the church. This was this pastor’s very first church assignment and it was my first church as well. We attempted to blend our ministries in that little church, but it didn’t really work out well at all. I tried to schedule times for the pastor and me to study and to pray together but the appointments weren’t kept. There were many excuses.
I had an office and medical examination room at the church. I am a medical doctor and spent my days working at the church. The pastor spent his days visiting the sick in the hospital. It was role reversal.
We conducted a variety of health evangelism activities in the church on a continuous basis. I planned a speaking part for the pastor in every 5-Day Plan, every cooking school, every weight control program and every exercise program I conducted.
The pastor failed to see the evangelistic potential of these health evangelism programs. He just wasn’t interested in what I was trying to do in our church. After a couple of months, the pastor excused himself from participation in health evangelism and from then on boycotted every program I conducted. He never showed his face again in anything I did in that church.
We had up to 100 non-Adventist participants at every program and the popularity of the Seventh-day Adventist church was growing. The church members were excited and were involved with every program we did. I am sorry to report that attendance at prayer meeting dwindled. The pastor’s influence with his members was falling off.
In my youthful inexperience I went and discussed this with the Conference president. He was fully sympathetic with my plight and appreciated the work I was doing in the church. He called the pastor in and read him the riot act. The pastor knew that I was the one who turned him in. He was very resentful. We never spoke to one another again except on Sabbaths when we were in church.
I didn’t know how to remedy this situation until I was instructed by God as to what to do. I was reading the Desire of Ages and came to the chapter “He Must Increase” that begins on page 178. This chapter describes the conflict that developed between the disciples of John the Baptist and Christ’s disciples over the form of the words to be used when conducting a baptismal service. Additionally, John’s disciples were concerned with John’s decreasing popularity and Christ’s increasing popularity.
The agenda of the King of the Universe was altered because of a quibble between the disciples of John and Christ. I would think that Christ’s response would mirror that of John the Baptist. Christ could well have said. “John must decrease, and I must increase.” It didn’t happen this way. John said the right thing, but it didn’t solve the problem. The problem was only solved when Jesus and His disciples packed up and moved to Galilee.
When the possibility of conflict arises between you and your pastor and it doesn’t appear that harmony can be established, you are advised to do as Christ did when controversy threatened His ministry.
At this point I reluctantly terminated what I was doing and rapidly transferred my membership to another church about 20 miles away and began health evangelism activities there. The conference terminated its financial support of my health evangelism activities, and I began a very limited practice of medicine to support myself. My work was arranged so I had every evening and every weekend free to conduct health evangelism activities in my new church location.
My leaving one church for another almost resulted in serious controversy. The head elder, who was a strong supporter of health evangelism, came to me privately and said. “I know why you are leaving. You and the pastor do not get along. Well, that’s too bad. We like what you are doing in our church, and we are prepared to fight to keep you here.” It was only with considerable effort on my part that we were able to keep the lid on dissension.
Of course, it was natural and vindictive for me to wish the pastor’s efforts to languish once I left that church. I was humbled when God richly blessed that small church once I left it. The pastor had record baptisms the next year and the church prospered. Eventually, I came to rejoice in this. Harmony in the local church is more important than any program you conduct within its walls.
In summary, health evangelism needs to be conducted with the blessing, understanding and cooperation of your local pastor. Do not make the pastor’s role in health evangelism too big. Respect that pastors are busy people with many burdens. If the pastor is against health evangelism, do not attempt to do it in his church.
The pastor is a busy person. It is not necessary or desirable for the pastor to personally conduct every program at the church. Health evangelism programs should be conducted by church members. Pastors have many responsibilities that occupy their time. If your pastor is particularly busy, but still generally supportive of health evangelism programs, give your pastor a break and structure your health evangelism program so the pastor has only a small but important involvement.
Over the course of years, pastors tend to come and go. If health evangelism programs are too dependent on the pastor, an established program might die if the pastor moves away. It is better to have health evangelism programs established, conducted, and maintained by church members. In this way there will be more stability of your programs if the pastor moves on to other assignments.
Then again, some pastors do not live the health message. Pastors, who are overweight, do not exercise regularly, openly drink coffee or tea will tend to have a negative influence on health evangelism programs. Under these circumstances, it might be wise not to conduct any health evangelism programs in your church until the situation is more favorable.
At times, pastors become jealous of the success church members are having in doing health evangelism programs. When this occurs, a subtle antagonism will develop toward you, your committee, or the health evangelism program itself. The pastor may consistently come to your program late or boycott a meeting or two.
The pastor may suggest interrupting an established cycle of health evangelism programs so he may conduct some other program he is more interested in. If this should happen to you, it will be better for you to quit doing health evangelism for a while. If the problem persists and health evangelism activities are suppressed for a prolonged period, you might consider transferring your health evangelism activities to another church that will be more receptive.
Under no circumstances should you insist on conducting health evangelism in your church if you sense any negativity on the part of the pastor. I learned this lesson the hard way. I was a full-time health evangelist for a local Seventh-day Adventist Church in Maryland. The pastor of the church, with whom I thought I was going to work, was transferred to another Conference the same week I arrived at the church.
The conference assigned a newly baptized, and not yet ordained pastor, to work with me in the church. This was this pastor’s very first church assignment and it was my first church as well. We attempted to blend our ministries in that little church, but it didn’t really work out well at all. I tried to schedule times for the pastor and me to study and to pray together but the appointments weren’t kept. There were many excuses.
I had an office and medical examination room at the church. I am a medical doctor and spent my days working at the church. The pastor spent his days visiting the sick in the hospital. It was role reversal.
We conducted a variety of health evangelism activities in the church on a continuous basis. I planned a speaking part for the pastor in every 5-Day Plan, every cooking school, every weight control program and every exercise program I conducted.
The pastor failed to see the evangelistic potential of these health evangelism programs. He just wasn’t interested in what I was trying to do in our church. After a couple of months, the pastor excused himself from participation in health evangelism and from then on boycotted every program I conducted. He never showed his face again in anything I did in that church.
We had up to 100 non-Adventist participants at every program and the popularity of the Seventh-day Adventist church was growing. The church members were excited and were involved with every program we did. I am sorry to report that attendance at prayer meeting dwindled. The pastor’s influence with his members was falling off.
In my youthful inexperience I went and discussed this with the Conference president. He was fully sympathetic with my plight and appreciated the work I was doing in the church. He called the pastor in and read him the riot act. The pastor knew that I was the one who turned him in. He was very resentful. We never spoke to one another again except on Sabbaths when we were in church.
I didn’t know how to remedy this situation until I was instructed by God as to what to do. I was reading the Desire of Ages and came to the chapter “He Must Increase” that begins on page 178. This chapter describes the conflict that developed between the disciples of John the Baptist and Christ’s disciples over the form of the words to be used when conducting a baptismal service. Additionally, John’s disciples were concerned with John’s decreasing popularity and Christ’s increasing popularity.
- When John’s disciples presented their concerns to John the Baptist his reply was “He must increase, but I must decrease” John 3:30. These were certainly the right words, but John did not respond with the correct action and so Jesus did. “Wishing to avoid all occasion for misunderstanding or dissension, He quietly ceased His labors, and withdrew to Galilee.” Desire of Ages, 181.
The agenda of the King of the Universe was altered because of a quibble between the disciples of John and Christ. I would think that Christ’s response would mirror that of John the Baptist. Christ could well have said. “John must decrease, and I must increase.” It didn’t happen this way. John said the right thing, but it didn’t solve the problem. The problem was only solved when Jesus and His disciples packed up and moved to Galilee.
When the possibility of conflict arises between you and your pastor and it doesn’t appear that harmony can be established, you are advised to do as Christ did when controversy threatened His ministry.
- “We also, while loyal to truth, should try to avoid all that may lead to discord and misapprehension. For whenever these arise, they result in the loss of souls. Whenever circumstances occur that threaten to cause division, we should follow the example of Jesus and of John the Baptist.” Desire of Ages, 181.
At this point I reluctantly terminated what I was doing and rapidly transferred my membership to another church about 20 miles away and began health evangelism activities there. The conference terminated its financial support of my health evangelism activities, and I began a very limited practice of medicine to support myself. My work was arranged so I had every evening and every weekend free to conduct health evangelism activities in my new church location.
My leaving one church for another almost resulted in serious controversy. The head elder, who was a strong supporter of health evangelism, came to me privately and said. “I know why you are leaving. You and the pastor do not get along. Well, that’s too bad. We like what you are doing in our church, and we are prepared to fight to keep you here.” It was only with considerable effort on my part that we were able to keep the lid on dissension.
Of course, it was natural and vindictive for me to wish the pastor’s efforts to languish once I left that church. I was humbled when God richly blessed that small church once I left it. The pastor had record baptisms the next year and the church prospered. Eventually, I came to rejoice in this. Harmony in the local church is more important than any program you conduct within its walls.
In summary, health evangelism needs to be conducted with the blessing, understanding and cooperation of your local pastor. Do not make the pastor’s role in health evangelism too big. Respect that pastors are busy people with many burdens. If the pastor is against health evangelism, do not attempt to do it in his church.
Church Members
Health evangelism activities should largely be conducted by church members. There are many roles for church members in doing medical missionary work. Perhaps the most obvious reason to use church members in conducting health evangelism is their sheer numbers. At this writing the church has about 22 million members. There are less than 10,000 doctors, less than 30,000 nurses, and less than 10,000 dentists.
There is an important role for health professionals in conducting health evangelism programs if they are available in your community. The role of health professionals will be discussed in the next section. If you just look at the numbers, the largest pool of prospective workers is found among ordinary church members who sit in the pew from week to week.
Here is the gold mine of health evangelism personnel. The local church will always have more members than pastors or health professionals. If you want to have an effective program, plan on filling most of your personnel needs with church members.
There is an important role for health professionals in conducting health evangelism programs if they are available in your community. The role of health professionals will be discussed in the next section. If you just look at the numbers, the largest pool of prospective workers is found among ordinary church members who sit in the pew from week to week.
Here is the gold mine of health evangelism personnel. The local church will always have more members than pastors or health professionals. If you want to have an effective program, plan on filling most of your personnel needs with church members.
Problems with Church Members
There are certain drawbacks in using church members in conducting health evangelism programs. These shortcomings should be recognized up front. It takes time to adequately develop this resource.
Most church members are not well educated in health lines. This is not a major problem. The church members will learn just what they need to know during the first program you conduct. Church members will be able to handle most questions and situations by their second or third program.
A bigger problem with church members is their lack of interest in health evangelism. Too many members are seemingly indifferent as to what is going on in the church. They may not be living up to the light on healthful living that has been shown them in the past. Some church members need health reform just as badly as the community they are asked to help.
Some of the most sincere and enthusiastic but potentially detrimental volunteers will be church members who have a line of “health products” to promote or sell. They would like to integrate their product line into your health evangelism program. Do not sell, distribute, or give away vitamins, potions, protein powders, nutritional supplements, etc. at a health evangelism program. Do not allow a church member with a private agenda push some product in their small group.
And then there are church members who hold some currently popular but scientifically unsound health information which they will want to share with their small group members. Church members should limit the information they discuss in small groups to that which is part of the program. Only qualified health experts should expand or enhance the prepared lecture materials.
This timely advice from Ellen White is applicable to these wrongly educated church members:
Most church members are not well educated in health lines. This is not a major problem. The church members will learn just what they need to know during the first program you conduct. Church members will be able to handle most questions and situations by their second or third program.
A bigger problem with church members is their lack of interest in health evangelism. Too many members are seemingly indifferent as to what is going on in the church. They may not be living up to the light on healthful living that has been shown them in the past. Some church members need health reform just as badly as the community they are asked to help.
Some of the most sincere and enthusiastic but potentially detrimental volunteers will be church members who have a line of “health products” to promote or sell. They would like to integrate their product line into your health evangelism program. Do not sell, distribute, or give away vitamins, potions, protein powders, nutritional supplements, etc. at a health evangelism program. Do not allow a church member with a private agenda push some product in their small group.
And then there are church members who hold some currently popular but scientifically unsound health information which they will want to share with their small group members. Church members should limit the information they discuss in small groups to that which is part of the program. Only qualified health experts should expand or enhance the prepared lecture materials.
This timely advice from Ellen White is applicable to these wrongly educated church members:
- "It is time that something was done, that novices may not be allowed to take the field, and advocate health reform. Their works and words can be spared; for they do more injury than the most wise and intelligent men, with the best influence they can exert, can counteract. It is impossible for the best qualified advocates of health reform to fully relieve the minds of the public from the prejudice received through the wrong course of these extremists, and to place the great subject of health reform upon the right basis in the community where these men have figured. The door is also closed in a great measure, so that unbelievers cannot be reached by the present truth upon the Sabbath, and the soon coming of our Saviour. The most precious truths are cast aside by the people as unworthy of a hearing. These men are referred to as representatives of health reformers and Sabbath-keepers in general. A great responsibility rests upon those who have thus proved a stumbling block to unbelievers." Pamphlet 101, 21
Preparing Church Members
When you first start to conduct health evangelism programs, your personnel will consist of church members who are largely unskilled recruits. This situation requires a considerable amount of preparation time. Take several weeks to organize and train your church members before you launch into your program.
The time taken in preparation will weed out church members who, after looking at the details of the program, will decide that they cannot commit to the time it is going to take to do the program. It is sad to see helpers pull out of a program even before it starts, but these are the very church members who would likely be pulling out of your program in the middle, leaving you high and dry anyway. It is better to lose helpers before the program begins than to lose them during a great work.
This was a truth that Gideon learned in Old Testament times, and it is just as true today. Going through a process to remove those who are not dedicated, ill prepared, and halfhearted in service will help ensure success once your program begins.
It is best to conduct your training program for church members on the same nights of the week that you intend to conduct your health evangelism program. If members can come out to training meetings, they will be able to come out to the program as well. If you conduct your training over a weekend or two, yet your program will be on Tuesday nights, you will find that several who can attend training on the weekend will find that they do not have time to do the program on Tuesday nights.
The importance of using church members in conducting health evangelism programs is stressed repeatedly in Spirit of Prophecy writings. Some counsel to consider along these lines is found in the following passages:
There is a sad situation described in the following passage. Church members have had much education and are knowledgeable regarding healthful living. Unfortunately, many, if not most, have not made any significant effort to reform their lives. In doing this they are deliberately choosing evil instead of righteousness. Church members who are not living health reform become agents of Satan and further his cause.
To live the life that Christ lived means to do the work he did. This is a work for every member of the church. We are to carry forward the healing and health educational work that He did when he was here.
What fascinates me most about this next passage is that it specifies who the church members are. Businessmen, farmers, mechanics, merchants, lawyers, and others are singled out here. Each is to advance the cause of Christ by personal effort. Oh, yes, money is mentioned but not as a substitute for personal effort and only after personal effort is mentioned.
Next, we see that the local church is to be organized in such a manner that every member has a work to do. None are to lead an aimless Christian life. All are to be active according to their abilities. This organization is to be accomplished by the church elders and those who have “leading places” in the church.
Church members are able to provide the one-on-one interface that changes lives. Church members can provide the personal labor for souls that is required for success in God’s work.
Church members are to make personal efforts to help those in need. This is accomplished in a health evangelism program by church members providing this personal effort in small groups. Every church member needs to be involved in some type of work. For many this can be through involvement in health evangelism activities.
Giving money to the cause of God is not a substitute for personal labor on behalf of those who need our help in overcoming bad habits in their lives.
The work may be small to start with, but it should be designed to create a one-on-one contact between church members and the public. This personal influence is powerful. The Holy Spirit is present to convict and change minds and lives.
While church members do health evangelism, they should do so with kindness and politeness. They should be empathetic. This will result in a hundred-fold increase in conversions to the church.
Finally, an emphatic statement of urgency. Church members need to get to work now!
The time taken in preparation will weed out church members who, after looking at the details of the program, will decide that they cannot commit to the time it is going to take to do the program. It is sad to see helpers pull out of a program even before it starts, but these are the very church members who would likely be pulling out of your program in the middle, leaving you high and dry anyway. It is better to lose helpers before the program begins than to lose them during a great work.
This was a truth that Gideon learned in Old Testament times, and it is just as true today. Going through a process to remove those who are not dedicated, ill prepared, and halfhearted in service will help ensure success once your program begins.
It is best to conduct your training program for church members on the same nights of the week that you intend to conduct your health evangelism program. If members can come out to training meetings, they will be able to come out to the program as well. If you conduct your training over a weekend or two, yet your program will be on Tuesday nights, you will find that several who can attend training on the weekend will find that they do not have time to do the program on Tuesday nights.
The importance of using church members in conducting health evangelism programs is stressed repeatedly in Spirit of Prophecy writings. Some counsel to consider along these lines is found in the following passages:
- “We have come to a time when every member of the church should take hold of medical missionary work. The world is a lazar house filled with victims of both physical and spiritual disease. Everywhere people are perishing for lack of a knowledge of the truths that have been committed to us. The members of the church are in need of an awakening, that they may realize their responsibility to impart these truths. Those who have been enlightened by the truth are to be light bearers to the world. To hide our light at this time is to make a terrible mistake. The message to God's people today is: "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee."” Vol. 7 Testimonies for the Church, p. 62.
There is a sad situation described in the following passage. Church members have had much education and are knowledgeable regarding healthful living. Unfortunately, many, if not most, have not made any significant effort to reform their lives. In doing this they are deliberately choosing evil instead of righteousness. Church members who are not living health reform become agents of Satan and further his cause.
- “We have come to a time when every member of the church needs to take hold of medical missionary work. On every hand we see those who have had much light and knowledge and all the advantages that could be given them, deliberately choosing evil in the place of righteousness, mercy, and the love of God. Making no attempt to reform, they are becoming agents of Satan, and are continually growing worse and worse.” Vol. 16 Manuscript Releases p. 145.
To live the life that Christ lived means to do the work he did. This is a work for every member of the church. We are to carry forward the healing and health educational work that He did when he was here.
- “We have come to a time when every member of the church should take hold of medical missionary work. Christ is no longer in this world in person, to go through our cities and towns and villages, healing the sick. He has commissioned us to carry forward the medical missionary work that He began." Testimonies and Experiences Connected with the Loma Linda Sanitarium and College of Medical Evangelists, p. 7.
What fascinates me most about this next passage is that it specifies who the church members are. Businessmen, farmers, mechanics, merchants, lawyers, and others are singled out here. Each is to advance the cause of Christ by personal effort. Oh, yes, money is mentioned but not as a substitute for personal effort and only after personal effort is mentioned.
- “When men of business, farmers, mechanics, merchants, lawyers, etc., become members of the church, they become servants of Christ; and although their talents may be entirely different, their responsibility to advance the cause of God by personal effort, and with their means, is no less than that which rests upon the minister. The woe which will fall upon the minister if he preach not the gospel, will just as surely fall upon the businessman, if he, with his different talents, will not be a co-worker with Christ in accomplishing the same results. When this is brought home to the individual, some will say, "This is an hard saying;" nevertheless it is true, although continually contradicted by the practice of men who profess to be followers of Christ.” Vol. 4 Testimonies for the Church Volume, p. 469.
Next, we see that the local church is to be organized in such a manner that every member has a work to do. None are to lead an aimless Christian life. All are to be active according to their abilities. This organization is to be accomplished by the church elders and those who have “leading places” in the church.
- “The elders and those who have leading places in the church should give more thought to their plans for conducting the work. They should arrange matters so that every member of the church shall have a part to act, that none may lead an aimless life, but that all may accomplish what they can according to their several ability. . . . It is very essential that such an education should be given to the members of the church that they will become unselfish, devoted, efficient workers for God; and it is only through such a course that the church can be prevented from becoming fruitless and dead. . . . Let every member of the church become an active worker -- a living stone, emitting light in God's temple.” Christian Service, p. 62.
Church members are able to provide the one-on-one interface that changes lives. Church members can provide the personal labor for souls that is required for success in God’s work.
- “The Lord desires that His word of grace shall be brought home to every soul. To a great degree this must be accomplished by personal labor. This was Christ’s method. His work was largely made up of personal interviews. He had a faithful regard for the one-soul audience. Through that one soul the message was often extended to thousands.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 229.
Church members are to make personal efforts to help those in need. This is accomplished in a health evangelism program by church members providing this personal effort in small groups. Every church member needs to be involved in some type of work. For many this can be through involvement in health evangelism activities.
- “Service to God includes personal ministry. By personal effort we are to co-operate with Him for the saving of the world. Christ's commission, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature," is spoken to every one of His followers. (Mark 16:15.) All who are ordained unto the life of Christ are ordained to work for the salvation of their fellow men. Their hearts will throb in unison with the heart of Christ. The same longing for souls that He has felt will be manifest in them. Not all can fill the same place in the work, but there is a place and a work for all.” Christ's Object Lessons, 300-301.
Giving money to the cause of God is not a substitute for personal labor on behalf of those who need our help in overcoming bad habits in their lives.
- “Now is our time to labor for the salvation of our fellow men. There are some who think that if they give money to the cause of Christ, this is all they are required to do; the precious time in which they might do personal service for Him passes unimproved. But it is the privilege and duty of all who have health and strength to render to God active service. All are to labor in winning souls to Christ. Donations of money cannot take the place of this. Christ's Object Lessons, 343
The work may be small to start with, but it should be designed to create a one-on-one contact between church members and the public. This personal influence is powerful. The Holy Spirit is present to convict and change minds and lives.
- “In every new field, patience and perseverance must be exercised. Be not disheartened at small beginnings. It is often the humblest work that yields the greatest results. The more direct our labor for our fellow-men, the greater good will be accomplished. Personal influence is a power. The minds of those with whom we are closely associated, are impressed through unseen influences. One cannot speak to a multitude and move them as he could if he were brought into closer relationship with them. Jesus left heaven, and came to our world to save souls. You must come close to those for whom you labor, that they may not only hear your voice, but shake your hand, learn your principles, feel your sympathy. Gospel Workers, 340.
While church members do health evangelism, they should do so with kindness and politeness. They should be empathetic. This will result in a hundred-fold increase in conversions to the church.
- “If we would humble ourselves before God, and be kind and courteous and tenderhearted and pitiful (sympathetic), there would be one hundred conversions to the truth where now there is only one.” Vol. 9 Testimonies for the Church, 189
Finally, an emphatic statement of urgency. Church members need to get to work now!
- “The world needs laborers now. From every direction is heard the Macedonian cry, "Come over and help us." Our success consists in reaching common minds. Plain, pointed arguments, standing out as mile-posts, will do more toward convincing people than will a large array of arguments which none but investigating minds will have interest to follow. And if the laborers are pure in heart and life, if they use to the glory of God the talents that he has committed to their keeping, they will have God on their side and heavenly angels to work with their efforts.” The Signs of the Times 10-28-1886
Health Professionals
It seems only natural that a health evangelism program would require the services of health professionals. While this is ideal, it is not always possible. Health evangelism programs in your church should not be delayed or postponed if you do not have any health professionals among your members.
It is better to utilize the services of health professionals who are members of your own local church than to bring in some specialist from the community or from some long distance. A guest health professional will divert the ownership and authority of the program away from the local church.
A lecture or even just the presence of a health practitioner of any level of education who is a practicing member of your church will be more effective than some highly educated specialist brought in from the outside. It is not so much the quality or quantity of health information that is needed in a health program so much as a clear identification with the local church and involvement of local church members.
Health professionals supply information and recommendations about your participant’s lifestyle. In a smoking cessation program, the information will relate to the health problems associated with smoking and the benefits of quitting. In an exercise program the information will focus on the benefits of exercise. In a nutrition program, foods that are healthful and foods that are unsafe will be reviewed.
If the health professional is well trained and makes a good presentation, not only will the participants be educated, but the church members who are small group leaders will be educated at the same time. The people who meet in small groups will have a chance to discuss the health information that was presented and to personalize it to their own lives.
This work cannot be accomplished by the health professional by saying. “Well, that is about it for tonight. Go home and put this into practice.” The health recommendations need to be discussed and digested in small groups. Group leaders will ask for commitments to specific behavior changes from each group member.
I ask the health professional who spoke for the evening to remain during the small group sessions. They should move around from group to group answering questions that come up. This takes the pressure off the small group leaders. If a small group leader does not know the answer to some technical question he or she can say, “I do not know, but I will try to get an answer by next week.”
The health professionals you work with do not have to be an expert on the topic that is being presented. Any health professional will do. A physical therapist, nurse, dentist, dietician, dental hygienist, health educator or nursing home administrator can present information on the harmful effects of smoking. You do not have to have a board-certified oncologist to talk about smoking and lung cancer. You do not need a pulmonary specialist to talk about emphysema.
It may take a health professional who works on the periphery of an issue a bit more time to study up on a given topic, but they will do just fine. If you do not have any health professionals in your church, let a layperson give the health lecture. You do not have to be a health professional to know that smoking is bad for you and that you ought to eat right and exercise on a regular basis.
If you use a lay person to make the health presentation, it should be acknowledged that he or she is not a trained health professional but keep the apology to a minimum. A layperson that goes to the trouble to learn something about a topic is still more knowledgeable than most of those who are coming for help.
One final word of caution. If you are going to conduct a health evangelism program without the services of a health professional, the layperson presenting the health information should stick with the basic facts included in the materials of your health program.
Do not present any new material you download from the Internet unless it is reviewed and approved by a knowledgeable health professional. Do not present any material you get from lay magazines. This especially applies to lay health magazines. There is a lot of true and useful information available on health topics from these sources, but it is often mixed with so much erroneous material that it is better to stay away from such information unless it can be screened by someone who is skilled in separating truth from error.
It is better to utilize the services of health professionals who are members of your own local church than to bring in some specialist from the community or from some long distance. A guest health professional will divert the ownership and authority of the program away from the local church.
A lecture or even just the presence of a health practitioner of any level of education who is a practicing member of your church will be more effective than some highly educated specialist brought in from the outside. It is not so much the quality or quantity of health information that is needed in a health program so much as a clear identification with the local church and involvement of local church members.
Health professionals supply information and recommendations about your participant’s lifestyle. In a smoking cessation program, the information will relate to the health problems associated with smoking and the benefits of quitting. In an exercise program the information will focus on the benefits of exercise. In a nutrition program, foods that are healthful and foods that are unsafe will be reviewed.
If the health professional is well trained and makes a good presentation, not only will the participants be educated, but the church members who are small group leaders will be educated at the same time. The people who meet in small groups will have a chance to discuss the health information that was presented and to personalize it to their own lives.
This work cannot be accomplished by the health professional by saying. “Well, that is about it for tonight. Go home and put this into practice.” The health recommendations need to be discussed and digested in small groups. Group leaders will ask for commitments to specific behavior changes from each group member.
I ask the health professional who spoke for the evening to remain during the small group sessions. They should move around from group to group answering questions that come up. This takes the pressure off the small group leaders. If a small group leader does not know the answer to some technical question he or she can say, “I do not know, but I will try to get an answer by next week.”
The health professionals you work with do not have to be an expert on the topic that is being presented. Any health professional will do. A physical therapist, nurse, dentist, dietician, dental hygienist, health educator or nursing home administrator can present information on the harmful effects of smoking. You do not have to have a board-certified oncologist to talk about smoking and lung cancer. You do not need a pulmonary specialist to talk about emphysema.
It may take a health professional who works on the periphery of an issue a bit more time to study up on a given topic, but they will do just fine. If you do not have any health professionals in your church, let a layperson give the health lecture. You do not have to be a health professional to know that smoking is bad for you and that you ought to eat right and exercise on a regular basis.
If you use a lay person to make the health presentation, it should be acknowledged that he or she is not a trained health professional but keep the apology to a minimum. A layperson that goes to the trouble to learn something about a topic is still more knowledgeable than most of those who are coming for help.
One final word of caution. If you are going to conduct a health evangelism program without the services of a health professional, the layperson presenting the health information should stick with the basic facts included in the materials of your health program.
Do not present any new material you download from the Internet unless it is reviewed and approved by a knowledgeable health professional. Do not present any material you get from lay magazines. This especially applies to lay health magazines. There is a lot of true and useful information available on health topics from these sources, but it is often mixed with so much erroneous material that it is better to stay away from such information unless it can be screened by someone who is skilled in separating truth from error.