When people face very real needs, especially those that are critical or chronic physical or mental health needs, how does the church respond in loving care? Nurturing a ministry of wholeness and healing and expressing compassion, care and hope for the future through all stages of life is what Parish Nursing is about.
So whether the Parish Nurse is involved in assessing the health, emotional and practical needs of new moms, promoting general health through health education seminars, organizing a flu vaccine clinic for the community or providing blood pressure screening and referrals for seniors, Alliance Parish Nurse Ministries are at the forefront of creating a sustainable response in rebuilding and revitalizing our traditions of healing ministries and practical care, giving in a way that is culturally relevant, safe and workable for today's church.
I also believe a very significant part of our outreach in days to come will be ministry to newcomers to Canada, many of whom come as refugees. They may be given basic medical care from government services, but few find appropriate or timely help because of lack of information on how to access the systems, a generalized lack of trust in the government, non-existent or poor English language skills, or even the lack of ongoing community support. This will present a huge door of opportunity to serve others in the name of Jesus.
The challenging truth for Parish Nurse Ministries is that without senior pastors or Boards of Elders catching a vision for the potential of Parish Nurse Ministry, whether volunteer or paid staff, Parish Nursing will continue to be one of the things that is often viewed as 'nice to have' but 'not necessary' to the fulfillment of the mission of the local church. And in so doing, they will miss the opportunity to do what Jesus did. It is from Jesus' words and works that we understand his full plan for redemption and his proclamation for the Kingdom of God.
The gospels portray the ministry of Jesus as being threefold - preaching, teaching and healing (see Matthew 9:35). One-third of the ministry of Jesus was about healing. It is time for the Alliance to coordinate our theology of Jesus as Healer with a practical means and method of Parish Nurse Ministry in order to build and strengthen healing ministries into the everyday life of the local church. This is an essential part of the Gospel that we are commanded to preach, a part of 'the faith . . . once delivered unto the saints' (see Jude 3).
Ruth Ann Fraser is National Coordinator of Alliance Parish Nurse Ministries and can be reached at rafraser@sympatico.ca 
