Nothing new about 'Evidence-based Healthcare'

On the 18th October the church traditionally celebrates the Feast of St Luke. As Luke was a physician, church and health communities use this anniversary to celebrate the work of healing. In a book called ‘Pills for the Poor’ Samuel Rogal explores Wesley’s contribution to the physical well-being of his followers.
‘Wesley's campaign to relieve the physical suffering of the poor began in 1744-the same year in which he instituted the lending-stock at the Foundery to ease the financial burdens of his London converts. Armed with a generous supply of pills, nostrums, and elixirs-in addition to £30 with which to replenish his inventory-Wesley proceeded to dispense, free of charge to those who came to the Foundery, both remedies and medical advice. "I found," he noted in his journal for 6 June 1747, "there had been about six hundred in about six months. More than three hundred of these came twice or thrice, and we saw no more of them. About twenty of those who had constantly attended did not seem to be either better or worse. Above two hundred were sensibly better, and fifty-one thoroughly cured"’
We are now a nation of specialists and no one dares encroach on another persons business. This is an acceptable consequence of an ever increasing technological world. The danger inherent in such a system is that we operate in silos with a very blinkered perspective. This presents a problem when individuals with very complex needs ranging over several major specialisms find their care compromised.
I remind medical staff that spiritual healthcare is not just the responsibility of the Chaplain. When we respond to need with compassion we are engaged in a ministry of care which includes a spiritual element. Research has shown that this contributes to the healing process and promotes a faster recovery.
To come back to Wesley, he distilled the wisdom of his age with his own experience and belief in a benevolent God to encourage faith and well being in his followers. May we be inspired to do the same.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Taylor talks (and writes)

I found the post on Steve Taylor’s website on 18th April very helpful today. It reminded me of a remark that Martin Atkins made at the beginning of the MEC 1 lecture last October. When being thanked for coming to give the lecture he dismissed the thanks saying that to do so was cathartic for him. At the time I didn’t understand what he meant by that remark, but thinking about it now in the light of Taylor’s blog I think I see what he means - you can only take in if you are also giving out. I have struggled with this year out of ministry, because I have not found an outlet (other than writing assignments!) for all that I am learning through it. I have preached once in 10 months, through my own choice, because I needed to stand back in order to evaluate. I have also been thinking that preaching is a non-productive environment in which to communicate. It is so easy for those who listen to disengage – a habit that I have found myself falling into during my 10 months of pew-sitting . Perha...
Read more

Chronos and Kairos

Don't normally refer to Greek in sermons, but I made an exception this Sunday. Tom Stuckey's book, commented on in my last blog, has a really helpful distinction between these two Greek words. Used it as the base for a chapel anniversary service here at Wirksworth on Sunday evening. You can see the power point presentation to go with the sermon based on Acts 10. If you want to download it click here . The church is at a kairos moment as it emerges from Christendom, facing highly vocal sceptics like Richard Dawkins, yet there is a hunger for meaning in a world full of superficiality. May God give us the wisdom and hope to use this moment.
Read more

Statistics for Mission

At the Methodist Conference in a couple of weeks time there will be a debate around the Statistics for Mission report, which looks at returns churches have made with regard to activity associated with their congregation. find the report here These statistics are then compared over a ten year period to examine trends and on an annual basis to see how things have changed over the year. The report makes for uncomfortable reading. The reason I refer to the report is the way it reflects what is happening at my local Methodist church. I should add that I do not have pastoral charge of the congregation as I have full-time responsibilities as a hospital Chaplain. However, I am committed to its future as it seeks to serve God in this village. Overton is a chapel built 177 years ago with a current worshipping congregation between 18 and 25 adults, of which up to 5 are under 60. A new family came to the village last September and have started worshipping at the chapel with their 5 year old daug...
Read more