What is Parish Nursing?

The parish nurse is a registered nurse who is committed to—and, on a broad level, is an integral part of—this concept of Health Ministries.  He/she works with the members of the health ministries committee or health cabinet, helping and enabling people of the congregation and the community attain, maintain, and/or regain optimal health.

Parish Nursing is a unique blending of professional nursing and spiritual caregiving.  We recommend that the parish nurse attend a special preparation program for parish nursing. Opportunities for basic preparation and continuing education are available within the LCMS.

Philosophy of Parish Nursing

Parish nursing is a specialty practice and professional model of health ministry distinguished by the following beliefs:

The parish nurse role reclaims the historic roots of health and healing found in many religious traditions. Parish nurses live out the      early work of monks, nuns, deacons and deaconesses, church nurses, traditional healers and the nursing profession itself.

The spiritual dimension is central to parish nursing practice. Personal spiritual formation is essential for the parish nurse. The practice holds that all persons are sacred and must be treated with respect and dignity. Compelled by these beliefs the parish nurse serves, advocating with compassion, mercy and justice. The parish nurse assists and supports individuals, families, and communities in becoming more active partners in the stewardship of personal and communal health resources.

The parish nurse understands health to be a dynamic process, which embodies the spiritual, psychological, physical, and social dimensions of the person. Spiritual health is central to well being and influences a person's entire being. A sense of well being can exist in the presence of disease, and healing can exist in absence of cure.

The focus of practice is the faith community and its ministry. The parish nurse, in collaboration with the pastoral staff and congregants, participates in the ongoing transformation of the faith community into a source of health and healing. Through partnership with other community health resources, parish nursing fosters new and creative responses to health and wellness concerns.

A Parish Nurse is Not Just a Nurse in the Parish

By Marcia A. Schnorr, R.N., Ed.D., LCMS Coordinator for Parish Nursing

History (His-story)

The Gospel includes numerous examples of Jesus' healing ministry. Dr. Granger Westbeg initiated the concept of Wholistic Health Centers where the team of patient, nurse, physician, and pastor worked together to develop a plan for wholistic health and wellness. In time the concept of Wholistic Health Centers was replaced by parish nursing.

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has endorsed parish nursing.  The LCMS Health Ministries calls parish nursing "a visible expression of Christ's healing ministry." Parish nurses serve in a team ministry with the pastor to care for the whole person—promoting physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual wellness

Two frequently cited "theme verses" by parish nurses are:

• "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10b)

• "...and He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick." (Luke 9:2)