PERSPECTIVES ON THE PRACTICE OF ADVENTIST HEALTH MINISTRY

PERSPECTIVES ON THE PRACTICE OF ADVENTIST HEALTH MINISTRY ALLAN R. HANDYSIDES M. B. Ch. B. . FRCPC, FRCSC, FACOG. DIRECTOR HEALTH MINISTRIES GENERAL CONFERENCE OF SDA’S

HEALTH MINISTRY NOT UNIQUE TO ADVENTISTS • The National Council of Churches in the USA in 2007 reported that 70 -80% of congregations in the USA have some sort of Health Ministry

CHURCH HEALTH CENTER MEMPHIS • DR SCOTT MORRIS • THE CHURCH HEALTH CENTERFROM 12 PATIENTS THE FIRST DAY TO SERVING 50. 000 PEOPLE • “WHAT GOOD IS GOD” by Philip Yancey

YET SDA’S ARE DISTINCTIVE • HISTORICALLY • THEOLOGICALLY • ETHICALLY • SCIENTIFICALLY

REVIEW OF SDA ATTITUDES WE FIND NOT A SINGLE ATTITUDE BUT MANY VALUES AND CONCEPTS AMONG BOTH MEMBERSHIP AND LEADERS

ADVENTIST HEALTH MINISTRY HAS TWO MAIN STREAMS • LIFESTYLE COMPONENTS • HEALTH CARE MINISTRIES

GENERAL CONFERENCE POLICY OUTLINES THREE FOUNDATIONAL PLATFORMS WHICH SHOULD BE APPLIED TO THE HEALTH MINISTRY PROVIDED BY ANY ADVENTIST INSTITUTION ( INCLUDES A LOCAL CHURCH)

PHILOSOPHICAL BASE MUST BE • a) Bible based • b) Spirit of Prophecy based • c) Scientific evidence based

Historical Perspectives • The great disappointment October 22 1844 came at a time of great need. Sickness , pain and suffering, were rampant. • Surgery was done without anesthesia • Infections ran their course • Epidemics swept like storms through populations • Tuberculosis was a scourge

Medical training minimal • Doctors trained in as little as 4 -8 months and for the most part were what we would call charlatans. • Into this abyss of ignorance, dirt, disease and pseudo science, stormed the “Health Reformers”

They imported and modified ideas from England • A vegetarian diet, light on fats, rich in fruit and vegetables whole grains legumes was recommended by these men, leaders were, Sylvester Graham, Russel Trall, and Dr. Jackson and they began publishing in the 1830’s before our church even existed

According to Mrs. White they tended to be Extreme EGW had to steer a course of moderation especially in controversial areas

June 6 1863 • Ellen white received a vision of which she wrote; “I saw that now we should take special care of the health that God has given us for our work was not yet done…I saw we should encourage a cheerful hopeful peaceful frame of mind for our health depends on our doing this…the more perfect our health the more perfect will be our labor…. we have a duty to come out against intemperance of every kindintemperance in working, in eating, in drugging and then point them to Gods great medicine water, pure soft water, for diseases, for health, for cleanliness, and for luxury (MSI/1863)

Note the Purpose Preservation of Health God has given To permit a more “perfect work” some have placed more of an emphasis on “perfect people”

CONTEXT SO IMPORTANT • LIFE EXPECTANCY; 30 yrs, in 1800, 41 yrs. by 1850, 50 yrs. by 1900, and 67 yrs. by 1950. A starling need for better health if the little band of Adventists were to achieve their goal

The second Health vision Dec 25 1865 To use health to diffuse prejudice “by thus being placed under the influence of truth some will not only obtain relief from bodily infirmities but find a balm for their sin sick souls” (1 T 403)

Theological Perspectives Nowhere in Adventist Theology does the practice of health principles or lifestyle qualify one as a more worthy candidate for heaven. Salvation is in Jesus and HIM alone.

Some over emphasize lifestyle Would teach health as though it possessed “salvific” properties, their emphasis makes for controversy and bitterness within congregations. Grace is the only means of salvation and other emphasis creates debate of dubious merit.

Ethical Perspectives IN KEEPING TO THE “MIDDLE” PATH AND IN BALANCE THERE INEVITABLY WILL ARISE ETHICAL QUESTIONS WHICH WOULD NOT BE RAISED IF THE ANSWER WAS SELF-EVIDENT

SOME ASK; IS IT APPROPRIATE TO USE HEALTH CARE IN AN EFFORT TO WIN PEOPLE TO THE CHURCH? RICHARD P. SLOAN THE AUTHOR OF THE BOOK “BLIND FAITH” CALLS SUCH ACTIVITY “an unholy alliance of religion and medicine”

WHAT DO WE IMPLY WHEN WE USE THE TERM HEALTH EVANGELISM ? IT IS THE MOTIVE THAT VALIDATES OR CONDEMNS THE ACTION HERE. THE METHODOLOGY ALSO NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED.

A “NO STRINGS ATTACHED” MINISTRY ESPECIALLY IN THE WORK OF OUR INSTITUTIONS

A MINISTRY SOLEY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE RECIPIENT COERCION AND PRESSURE TO BE REMOVED FROM OUR MINISTRY

Scientific Perspectives Physical Health; The importance of the content and scientific validity of our messages. AH Studies confirm the core teachings

Adventist Health Study 2 Too early to be conclusive but is suggesting, Total Plant Based diet (TPB) plus supplemental B 12 results in lower body mass, cholesterols, and therefore may be cardio protective. Lacto ovo vegetarian diet (LOV) may be associated with decreased overall mortality

Evidence Supports A well balanced Vegetarian diet Regular exercise Lots of liquids Adequate rest Temperance in all things Abstinence from things harmful A positive outlook Strong social support Integrity in our dealings

Scientific Perspectives Mental Health; The brains capacity for change! Plasticity. Rewiring can take place, this has great implications for mental health and our emphasis on Spiritual values.

Plasticity explains the dangers of addictive behaviors Pornography; Leads to sexual degradation with at times brutal, abusive sexual practices, a caricature of desirable sexuality Drugs; Alter neuronal pathways warping capacity to judge. Need to be alert for mental pollutants

Scientific Perspectives Spiritual health; Dangers of “wolves in sheep's clothing” New Age thinking Excessive selfishness in Health Ministry Remunerative practices

Ministry of Healing “The unwearied servant of man’s necessity”

PHILOSOPHY? OUR MOTIVES METHODOLOGIES PRACTICE ALL A DEMONSTRATION OF OUR APPRECIATION OF THE GRACE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS

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