1 in 3 people in the U.S. have a chronic condition. If it's not you, it's someone sitting next to you or a friend who has yet to reveal her greatest personal struggle.
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 remember one specific day that I tried to make it through a church service. My rheumatoid arthritis was flaring badly, but since I had gotten there, I was determined to stay. "Please stand" they announced during worship and I took a deep breath and carefully pulled myself up, using the pew in front of me for leverage and balance. At the age of 24, fifteen years of living with this disease has left my feet deformed and painful, and my knees need joint replacements as soon as possible. I rolled my eyes as they sang a worship song and the lyrics declared, "I will stand in spite of pain."
Even as I was surrounded by people in a church I loved, I still felt as though no one understood what I was going through-physically or emotionally.
Churches already feel pushed to the brink, trying to fulfill all the needs that are obvious. Even large churches lack the amount of volunteers they need to rock babies in the nurseries or visit the elderly who are unable to attend the weekly service. So, if the people who have a chronic illness aren't even speaking up about their needs, then that must evidently mean that they are having all of them met, right? Pastors often ask, "If they don't ask for what they need, how can we even know what it is? It sounds to me as though they must be coping perfectly fine if they aren't calling us or asking for more prayer. They have their faith and that should be enough during the dark moments to carry them through."
Let's look at some stunning statistics:
- Despite what we may assume, 60% of those who live with daily illness or pain are between the ages of 18 and 64. - The divorce rate among the chronically ill is over 75 percent. - Depression is 15-20% higher for the chronically ill than for the average person. - Various studies have reported that physical illness or uncontrollable physical pain is major factors in up to 70% of suicides.*
Whether the need is obvious or not, we should be concerned because our churches are filled with many people who are living with chronic pain. And when chronic pain exists, broken spirits are also there. People are hurting silently and need help and encouragement. These are the broken-hearted that Jesus says he will give comfort.
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) Perform a survey about what people may desire that they are not mentioning to the church leadership. This is especially vital if you belong to a large church. People are less likely to ask for help when they don't know the church staff intimately and reluctant to mention their illness. They are afraid they will be bombarded with all the scriptures about healing. A recent Barna group study discovered that larger churches were the least likely to have congregational care ministries listed as a priority (Church Priorities for 2005 Vary Considerably).
Ask questions on a survey such as, "If we provided transportation, such as a van ride, would it increase your ability to attend church? If you were too ill to attend church, would you listen to the service on the internet? Do you know who to call at the church if you occasionally need personal assistance (especially when the illness is chronic and not acute)? Are you able to see the worship song lyrics on the overhead, or would having them available on paper also be helpful? Please rate the comfort level of our seats." Sit down with a group of people who live with chronic pain and brainstorm ideas with them about what would increase their church attendance or connection with the church and then prioritize what they say.
(2) Provide a small group/Bible study setting for those with illness. For example, Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization for the chronically ill, has a small group program called HopeKeepers which provides a wide variety of resources, Bible studies, and leader support for this purpose. You may find that although people enjoy the small groups they are in, they can start to feel that talking and praying about their illness week after week is a burden to others in the group. They often enjoy having a specific place where everyone "speaks the same language" and even giggles at the same jokes. It can be invigorating. And if only a few people come, that's okay. It brings people comfort to know the church has this oasis when they need it.
(3) Have special guest speakers encourage your church body. There are dozens of people who have physical disabilities that go to churches and share their testimony about what God has done in their life. Allowing them to be at the pulpit and share what God has done in their lives, despite physical challenges and set backs, sends a message to those that are ill that you recognize their needs, you care, and most of all, that you believe they are still worthy to be used by God. People such as Dave Dravecky, Renee Bondi, Joni Eareckson Tada, 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. According to the Marquette University College of Nursing, the number of parish nurses in United States is estimated to be about 6000. Many retired nurses are finding this area of ministry appealing and parish nurse certification can be found at most hospitals. The parish nurse position description can include anything from going to homes to monitor diabetes or high blood pressure of church members to organizing health fairs, screenings, and walking groups. The role of the parish nurse may cover the needs of your illness and disability ministries, depending on the demographics of your church. A parish nurse would also work closely with the congregational care pastor.
(5) Stock up on caring resources that are available for people to borrow. Lots of people with chronic illness are on a fixed-income but they truly want the encouragement. Your church library should carry your many 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 Joni Eareckson Tada's amazing book, "When God Weeps." Purchase a few subscriptions to magazines such as "HopeKeepers", "Guideposts" and even "Fibromyalgia Aware." Don't forget books on tape, audio presentations and large-print materials whenever they are available. Put up flyers or have brochures available about chronic illness or disability ministries. These include Joni and Friend's "Wheels for the World" program or Rest Ministries' annual outreach, "National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week." Recruit a volunteer to assemble binders of information about national ministries and local resources. Also include Christian organizations, magazines and newsletters on topics of interest to Christian seniors, those who live with disabilities and illness, and caregivers.
(6) Finally, and this is an important point, recognize that people who live with illness want to serve others. Not just be served. Proverbs 11:25 tells us that "He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." So when a woman tells you that she must resign from the church choir because she can no longer make rehearsals, make sure that she understands that your church body will miss her in that area, but that there are other areas you will welcome her service when she is ready and able. For example, she may find that writing notes of encouragement to members of the church who live with illness and feel alone, may be a way to share her gifts on her own schedule. A man who can no longer commit to leading a weekly small group may find that he enjoys mentor another man one-on-one, perhaps even one who lives with illness and feels there is no one to be authentic with. People in the church need to know that the church body values wounded healers and that the church believes 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).
About twice a month someone tells me that they went to their pastor with a request to start a chronic illness HopeKeepers ministry and they were told, "Come back when you are healed and then we will talk. You can't very well minister to others with illness when you aren't even healed yourself." The broken hearts that arise from these comments is unbearable. It's devastating to feel like God is using your illness for His glory and then be told you are no longer useful to the church-or even to God-until you are healed.
In Luke 14:21 Jesus shares a parable of a great banquet. When the host's hospitality is turned down by his friends he responds by commanding, "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 mandate to us today, but we must remember that to provide a place where we offer hospitality, we must first "go out" into our own pews and provide a place of refuge; as we make small changes in our church to create that oasis for people with illness, then these people in our church will naturally be comforted. And then they will go out into the community with open arms of understanding and minister to others along this journey.
Get a free download of 200 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend from "Beyond Casseroles" by Lisa Copen when you signup for to HopeNotes invisible illness ezine at Rest Ministries. Lisa founded of Invisible Illness Week
Additional Articles From -
Home |
Health & Fitness
