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Church and Health Grafisk/Trykk: BK.No • Foto: Shutterstock • Papir: Galeriepapir: Art Silk • Shutterstock Foto: Grafisk/Trykk: • BK.No CHURCH and HEALTH

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Church and Health Grafisk/Trykk: BK.No • Foto: Shutterstock • Papir: Galeriepapir: Art Silk • Shutterstock Foto: Grafisk/Trykk: • BK.No CHURCH and HEALTH XXX ChurCh and health Grafisk/trykk: BK.no • Foto: Shutterstock • Papir: GaleriePapir: Art Silk • Shutterstock Foto: Grafisk/trykk: • BK.no CHURCH AND HEALTH Contents 1. Introduction . .5 1.1 Background for the document presented at the General Synod 2015 .............................................................5 1.2 Overview of the content of the document ...........................................................................................................7 1.3 What do we understand by health?.......................................................................................................................8 2. 2. Theological Perspectives on Health and the Health Mission of the Church . 10. 2.1 Health in a biblical perspective............................................................................................................................10 2.2 Healing in a biblical perspective..........................................................................................................................12 2.3 The mission of the disciples . .15 2.4 The healing ministry of the Church....................................................................................................................16 3. Todays Situation as Context for the Health Mission of the Church . 19. 3.1 The welfare state as frame for the health mission of the Church ....................................................................19 3.2 Health- and care services under pressure ..........................................................................................................21 3.3 National health policy reforms ............................................................................................................................22 3.4 The concept of health under discussion .............................................................................................................25 3.5 Alternative treatment ............................................................................................................................................28 3.6 Religious faith as health asset . 30 3.7 Spiritual care ..........................................................................................................................................................31 3.8 Global health ..........................................................................................................................................................32 4. The Health Mission of the Church today . 34. 4.1 Health related assets of the Church . 34 4.2 Preaching and teaching ........................................................................................................................................35 4.3 Health related activities in the local Church......................................................................................................37 4.4 Diaconal institutions.............................................................................................................................................39 4.5 Pastors and deacons in public institutions.........................................................................................................42 4.6 Focal areas for the health mission of the Church..............................................................................................43 4.7 Church in the public debate about health ..........................................................................................................48 5. Attachment . 51. References ..........................................................................................................................................................................51 Comments from Committee ..........................................................................................................................................52 2 PREFACE PrefaCe National Church, Institution and Congregation The Church of Norway has a varied and qualified engagement in the area of health. Through a wide variety of diaconal institutions and through the activities of local Churches, an extensive range of services related to health and care assistance is made available. The community-building work of local Churches can contribute to strengthening public health and can provide the experience of belonging- ness and can enhance the meaning of life. The diaconal institutions represent one of the most impor- tant expressions of the Church in the public arena. Their health and care services provide a broad contact net with the population at large. These institutions have and will continue to have a central role in realizing the Church´s mission in the world. This same mission is pursued through the health- related work of local congregations on a health promotion level, through care giving and pastoral counseling, and through conversations, rituals and community and culture-building activities. Changes in both Church and society create a need for more attention to the subject of Church and health. The changes that take place at a time when the Church of Norway is reorganized also make it important for the Church to clarify its mission and role in society. On all levels, questions regarding health play an important role for the Church: - Every living person has a body and a state of health. Disease and changes in the body and health situations affect us continuously. This actualizes the need for good health services and good communities that provide assistance and care for one another and that meet the need for inter- preting one´s own life according to worldview and faith. - The preaching of the Church is often based on texts that center on healing and stewardship. How do we understand these texts theologically and how do these texts challenge us to take responsibility? - Many congregations provide extensive diaconal and health-promoting activities. How can this be developed further within a framework that boosts new boldness and creativity? - We live in a society where questions of health dominate in the media and in heated political debates. For the Church, it is important to participate in these difficult conversations with wisdom and professional knowledge. - The large diaconal institutions must constantly redefine their role, strategy and self-understanding in relation to changes in society, economic constraints and national health policies. How can the Church of Norway support and help in these processes? The General Synod of 2015 was challenged to think through and clarify the health related work of the Church in all of these areas. 3 CHURCH AND HEALTH A Broad Perspective This document is a slightly revised edition of the agenda paper presented to the General Synod for consideration. It explores the Church´s health related services from a broad perspective: as health promotion, as help in coping with life, as medical treatment and as care for the sick. In the document, the concept of health is discussed in relation to contemporary perspectives and understanding of health issues. The intention is to establish a deeper and more affirmative understanding that we as a Church share the vision of providing this important service to the world. The study brings forward theological insights and takes up professional health-related challenges. In this way it can serve as a common reference for the different aspects of the Church’s health work. The study serves as a resource that can contribute to increasing the cohesion between the different types of work and to give inspiration to the work. The document has been developed through a work process that has included several seminars, consultation with different specialists and dialogue in the Contact Forum for Health and Church. Many thanks to Kjell Nordstokke who has been the primary author. Jens-Petter Johnsen Director of the Church of Norway National Council 4 1. INTRODUCTION 1. IntroduCtIon 1.1 Background for the Document How can this «cantus firmus» be played in the realiza- presented at the General Synod 2015 tion of the Church’s mission in today’s society? In the development of the Church of Norway as a «folk In this introduction, we will present the goal for the Church», it is important to direct focus to the Church’s document and explain some of the reasons that Church role in society that in a way will renew the commitment and Health was chosen as a theme for the General and shared responsibility for appropriate services in the Synod meeting. public arena. There are valid theological arguments for the Church to take on such a role and to become what, 2 The question of the health mission of the Church is in some places, is called public Church . From the actualized both through the context of the society and perspective of the First Article of Faith, this could be the context of the Church1, of which we are a part. The understood as God’s caring for all that is created. first relates to the understanding of this mission today Further, it calls upon all of us to serve wherever we and to the kind of health services and activities for meet our fellow man. In the perspective of the Second which the Church should have a shared responsibility. Article of Faith, we are challenged by the stories about Is this kind of engagement relevant within the frame- Jesus: He served in the public arena, in everyday life, work of our welfare state? Shouldn´t treatment of the and there he healed the sick and practiced care. Even sick and needy primarily be a task for the state? Or is the Third Article of Faith points in this
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