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By Tom Pruski*

As the Affordable Care Act has rolled out, we have seen the impact of the new healthcare legislation on hospitals, communities and congregations. The new law is moving the previous healthcare system from a focus on fee-based patient services to a population-based care delivery model. With this legislation, healthcare providers, congregations and individuals are trying to figure out what their roles are. There are new opportunities for partnership and collaboration.

For congregations, health ministry can play a key role in helping them navigate the new Affordable Care Act. Health ministry refers not only to home and hospital visitations, but also includes social justice, religious education, youth, and caring and concern ministries. 

Health ministry builds on the foundation that sees faith communities as natural places where people seek holistic health and healing. Health ministries help congregations develop and sustain lasting support for whole person health which includes mental, spiritual and physical well-being.

There are numerous models of health ministry. Every congregation implements health ministry in a mold that fits their congregation. Congregations may have health ministers and faith community nurses (formerly called parish nurses), who can play a critical role in educating congregants and the community about how to access the right health care at the right time and the right place.

Health ministers and faith community nurses can assist with support groups, visitation ministries and bringing in speakers on issues or health topics. The work of these leaders is mainly pastoral in nature. Yet, they provide a key connection for congregations to appropriate resources. 

Healthcare providers are looking to build relationships within the community, especially faith communities who are natural partners in coordinating care. Health ministries do not replicate services already provided. The new healthcare system is looking to improve the coordination of care and not duplicate services. 

In September 2012, Wesley Seminary created a new program called “Heal the Sick” to work with congregations, nonprofits, government, hospitals and primary care providers from Baltimore to Northern Virginia, to prepare lay leaders and clergy in navigating this new healthcare environment based on a successful model in Memphis, Tenn. Working with leaders from various institutions to promote health and healing, the Heal the Sick program is adapting the Memphis model to assist congregations to develop and sustain health ministries.

The Heal the Sick program helps congregations to connect to community and hospital-based networks where congregations can share and collaborate on health and wellness activities, access and connect to hospital resources, and advocate for resources their congregations need.  Congregational networks help faith communities connect to each other and to receive support for their health ministries. Existing congregational networks have provided educational opportunities for congregations to be advocates and live out their faith.

Wesley Seminary’s Heal the Sick program has created an informative website, www.wesleyhts.org, that has numerous resources and links to organizations that support health ministry development.

Additionally, the program’s website has information about its new certificate programs, Faith Community Nurse and Health Minister, to help clergy and lay leaders develop basic, foundational ministerial skills to engage in whole person care through organized health ministries. After congregational members attend the certificate programs, they are supported through congregational networks in their geographic area.

If you would like more information about Wesley Seminary’s Heal the Sick program, its certificate programs, work with congregations and congregational networks, please contact Wesley Downtown at (202) 706-6838 or e-mail us at

*Tom Pruski, RN, MAPS, is Wesley Seminary’s ‘Heal the Sick’ Program Director.