The Ministerial and Health leaders from the unions, missions, and attached conference met February 25-26, 2015 to discuss and plan for comprehensive health ministry in the Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD). Division administration and many departmental directors joined us in our presentations and discussions. We prayed and planned for the future where all Adventist congregations will have this as part of the ministry they do and who they are as Seventh-day Christians.
Comprehensive health ministry is an initiative we have been asked to be involved in by the General Conference. Our meeting was to help us understand how it could be used in our field to move our mission forward. It is not a new approach to mission, but one that was important to the Adventist Church from its very early days of existence.
Sometimes the title is not clearly understood, so let’s take a few lines to help you understand the name.
Comprehensive – This means that we seek to look at all possibilities to help people’s lives to be better. It involves a wide range and variety of approaches. It is broad spectrum addressing felt needs in mental, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of peoples’ lives.
Health – This is likely the least understood part of the title of the initiative. When people see the word “health” most immediately say to themselves, “I am not a medically trained person, so not for me!” Please do not misunderstand. Comprehensive means that it is a wide range of outreach ministries that will better the lives of the people in the community in a way that will be perceived as beneficial. It develops a positive attitude and awareness in the minds and hearts of the community for the local Adventist church as it works to accomplish its God given mission.
Ministry – This is the activities of the congregations as they seek to accomplish their God given mission, a compelling focus on ministry that invites all members of the congregation to be involved.
During our two-day planning session we heard presentations by Dr. Jairyong Lee, Dr. Barbara Choi, Dr. Young Il Choi, Pastor Lynn Ripley, and Dr. David Ripley. We also heard a report from each union, Mission, attached Conference on what is happening now in comprehensive health ministry. After the presentations we broke into small groups and discussed different aspects and ideas of comprehensive health ministry.
In some of our break out sessions we also spent time exploring the concept of what a local church may look like in its community when it truly understands the concept of comprehensive health ministry and its ability to enlarge our ability for mission for God.
Comprehensive health ministry is important for large churches and our health institutions and it is important for small churches of just a handful of people. Because of the nature of the initiative it will provide important ministry opportunities for all Seventh-day Adventist congregations.
Jesus himself modeled for us what comprehensive ministry is. It is about alleviating peoples’ pain and suffering, it is about changing the community around our church into a better place to live, it is about making friends for heaven, and eventually spending eternity with the people who choose to follow Jesus.
“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.’” Ministry of Healing p. 143
Article by Dr. David Ripley, NSD Ministerial Association Secretary