Faith-Based Health Ministries
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Churches are filled with caring, dedicated and concerned members. This regard has largely been focused on spirituality or faith, sharing goods with others, reaching out to meet the cares of others, and helping those with social needs. As important as all of these things are, an important part of church ministries is sometimes over-looked. While churches often focus on care for others, they less often think about promoting their own health. Health is important to individuals, families, groups, and communities.
Health is a broad term that can be viewed in different ways. Sometimes, when people hear the word health, they think about the opposites, illness and disease. For example, things like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure or one of many other threats come to mind if health is mentioned. Some think about the ways we manage an illness, visits to the doctor, or the ways we care for each other. Some might think about wellness or health promotion. Other people might consider stress, risk factors, mental illness, abusive behaviors, or other things. Still others might think about things like being overweight or obese, tobacco use, or physical inactivity.
Family health has to do with the routines and behaviors family members form that can threaten or improve individual health. Families teach their children ways to take care for themselves. These things can improve the quality of health for each person and for the family as a whole. Families often share facts and the things they need. It can be hard to balance needs of many family members. Sometimes one or more members have special needs that take extra treatment. Learning ways to care for health and some sickness is not always easy. Giving care for children, a person with a disability or chronic illness, or an aging member are hard tasks.
Health is also about the ways we get along, how we work with each other to get things done, and the ways we tackle problems. Health is also the ways we relate and work to get things done. Health has to do with the ways we talk about our needs and offer to assist each other when times are hard.
Health can sometimes have an even bigger picture. We might think about the health of a church and its members. A church family helps take care of each other. Often, the church reaches out to the sick and needy in a close by neighborhood or the village, town or city where it is near. Church health can be about the networks formed with people that are inside and outside the church doors. A church group can work to increase the health of its members. Giving support, learning together, and doing things that help the person be whole in every way are prized things.
Faith Based Health Ministries are ways pastors, church boards, elders, deacons, and church members can work together to improve everyone's health. A Church Health Team can help the church find programs, events, activities, and screenings that can improve the health of you and old. Taking care of physical and mental health can help us be more able to do the faith work that is important.
Things to Help
Protect Your Heart: Check Food Labels to Make Heart-Healthy Choices (PDF)
You can make heart-healthy choices by checking food labels.
10 tips Nutrition Education Series: Choose MyPlate (PDF)
Making food choices for a healthy lifestyle can be as simple as using these 10 Tips. Use the ideas in this list to balance your calories, to choose foods to eat more often, and to cut back on foods to eat less often.
10 tips Nutrition Education Series: Add More Vegetables to Your Day (PDF)
It's easy to eat more vegetables! Eating vegetables is important because they provide vitamins and minerals and most are low in calories. To fit more vegetables in your meals, follow these simple tips. It is easier than you may think.
10 tips Nutrition Education Series: Focus on Fruits (PDF)
Eating fruit provides health benefits. People who eat more vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases. Fruits provide nutrients vital for health, such as potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin C, and folate (folic acid). Most fruits are naturally low in fat, sodium, and calories. None have cholesterol. Any fruit or 100% fruit juice counts as a part of the Fruit Group. Fruits may be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried, and may be whole, cut-up, or pureed.
10 tips Nutrition Education Series: Make Half Your Grains Whole (PDF)
Any food made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, or another cereal grain is a grain product. Bread, pasta, oatmeal, breakfast cereals, tortillas, and grits are examples. Grains are divided into two subgroups, whole grains and refined grains. Whole grains contain the entire grain kernel—the bran, germ, and endosperm. People who eat whole grains as part of a healthy diet have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases.
10 tips Nutrition Education Series: Smart Shopping for Veggies and Fruits (PDF)
It is possible to fit vegetables and fruits into any budget. Making nutritious choices does not have to hurt your wallet. Getting enough of these foods promotes health and can reduce your risk of certain diseases. There are many low-cost ways to meet your fruit and vegetable needs.
10 tips Nutrition Education Series: Liven Up Your Meals with Vegetables and Fruits (PDF)
Discover the many benefits of adding vegetables and fruits to your meals. They are low in fat and calories, while providing fiber and other key nutrients. Most Americans should eat more than 3 cups—and for some, up to 6 cups—of vegetables and fruits each day. Vegetables and fruits don't just add nutrition to meals. They can also add color, flavor, and texture. Explore these creative ways to bring healthy foods to your table.
10 tips Nutrition Education Series: Cut Back on Your Kid's Sweet Treats (PDF)
Limit the amount of foods and beverages with added sugars your kids eat and drink. If you don't buy them, your kids won't get them very often. Sweet treats and sugary drinks have a lot of calories but few nutrients. Most added sugars come from sodas, sports drinks, energy drinks, juice drinks, cakes, cookies, ice cream, candy, and other desserts.
10 tips Nutrition Education Series: Eating Better on a Budget (PDF)
Get the most for your food budget! There are many ways to save money on the foods that you eat. The three main steps are planning before you shop, purchasing the items at the best price, and preparing meals that stretch your food dollars.
10 tips Nutrition Education Series: Make Celebrations Fun, Healthy & Active (PDF)
Eating healthy and being physically active can be a fun part of parties and events. Great gatherings are easy to do when tasty, healthy foods from all the food groups are offered in a fun, active environment. Above all, focus on enjoying friends and family.
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