6 Ways Your Church Can Minister To The Chronically Ill

Over 100 million people in the USA, about 1 in 2, have a chronic illness. That means, if you are not the one suffering from chronic pain, chances are someone you care about is dealing with it silently.

Oftentimes a chronic illness, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, or chronic pain like migraines or back pain, is undetectable to those around them. It may surprise you to know that, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 96% of the people who have an illness do not use an assistive device, like a cane or a wheelchair. Pain is nearly always invisible. Those that are ill usually do everything that they can to get to church. They want to be part of the church community and they appear to be healthy. Still, just sitting through the service can be extremely difficult.

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."

I was surrounded by people who cared about me, in a church I love, and yet I still felt lonely and as though no one had an idea of what my life was truly like.

It's no secret that churches feel responsible for the many needs that already must be fulfilled in their church body and when someone shares another need it can be seen as an inconvenience. And these needs are visible ones. So the question from pastors is often, "If people aren't saying anything about their pain, then that means they are dealing with it fine? Right? We tell them to send in prayer requests or let us know if they need anything and they don't speak up, so evidently they are doing okay with it? Their faith should sustain them during those valleys."

Let's take a glimpse at some astonishing 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.*

There is cause for great concern. Despite whether you can see the illnesses that are impacting people's lives or not, your church body has many ailing bodies. And those who are hurting physically are often hurting emotionally and spiritually too. When Jesus speaks of the broken-hearted, I believe the chronically ill are a great portion of those who have fragile spirits.

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, "If a van was provided, would you be able to get to church more easily? Would you listen to church on the internet if you were too ill to attend? Do you feel you can call and ask for occasional personal assistance (especially if the illness is chronic and not acute)? Do you know who to call? Would you like the worship song lyrics in the bulletin and not just on an overhead? Are the seats comfortable or would you prefer a few rows be saved for you with cushions?" Brainstorm with a group of people who have a chronic illness and ask them for a wish list. Then sit down and prioritize.

(2) Start a small group/Bible study for people who cope with illness. Rest Ministries is the largest Christian organization for the chronically ill and they have a program called HopeKeepers. You can find resource materials, group studies, leader support, and books, CDs and more for training. Though a church may assume their current small groups are meeting this needs, people with illness grow weary of talking and praying about their illness week after week with people who don't understand the daily-ness of illness. When there is a place where everyone can "speak the same language" and even laugh at the same tales can be reviving. Even if just two people show p, it can be life-changing for those two. Be a church that recognizes chronic illness is difficult to live with and provide an oasis from it.

(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. Marquette University College of Nursing, which has an excellent parish nursing program, reports there are about 6000 parish nurses in United States. Many retired nurses are finding this area of ministry appealing and most parish nurse certification can be given by many hospitals. The parish nurse position description depends on your church's needs and goals. For example, they may go to homes to monitor diabetes or high blood pressure of church members, organize walking groups, health fairs and screenings, and even help out with the chronic illness small group. The role of the parish nurse may be a better choice than a disabilities coordinator, depending on your church's demographics. This person would help cover the disability ministry needs and work closely with the congregational care pastor.

(5) Be a clearinghouse of helpful resources for the ill that are available for borrowing. Many people with chronic illness are on a fixed-income and yet they are trying to find encouragement. Stock your church library with 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 the exceptional book on suffering, "When God Weeps" by Joni Eareckson Tada. Buy a few subscriptions to magazines such as "HopeKeepers", "Guideposts" and even "Arthritis Today." Remember to have books on tape, audio presentations and large-print materials whenever they are available. Post flyers or have brochures available about chronic illness or disability ministries, such as Joni's "Wheels for the World" program or Rest Ministries' annual outreach, "National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week." A volunteer could collect materials of local and national ministry resources for a binder; items could include lists of local resources and national ministries and put them in binder; lists of organizations, magazines and newsletters on topics for Christian seniors, those with disabilities, caregivers, and assisted living to name a few.

(6) Lastly, and most importantly, remember people with illness want to serve. Not just be served. This is because "He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed" (Proverbs 11:25). For example, when a woman tells you she is resigning from working in the nursery, let her know that she is welcome to serve in other ways when she is ready. She may find she enjoys writing encouragement notes to people who have an illness. A man may find he can mentor another man with a chronic illness one-on-one rather than leading a Bible study. Let them know that you value wounded healers and believe 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.

Article Source: http://www.aword2thewise.com

Get a free list of 200 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend from "Beyond Casseroles" by Lisa Copen, just signup for to HopeNotes invisible illness ezine at Rest Ministries. Lisa is the founder of Invisible Illness Week

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