PERSPECTIVES ON THE PRACTICE OF

ADVENTIST HEALTH MINISTRY

ALLAN R. HANDYSIDES M.B.Ch.B.. FRCPC, FRCSC, FACOG.

DIRECTOR HEALTH MINISTRIES

GENERAL CONFERENCE OF SDA’S

HEALTH MINISTRY NOT UNIQUE TO ADVENTISTS

• The National Council of Churches in

the USA in 2007 reported that 70-

80% of congregations in the USA

have some sort of Health Ministry

CHURCH HEALTH CENTERMEMPHIS

• DR SCOTT MORRIS

• THE CHURCH HEALTH CENTERFROM

12 PATIENTS THE FIRST DAY TO

SERVING 50.000 PEOPLE

• “WHAT GOOD IS GOD” by Philip Yancey

YET SDA’S ARE DISTINCTIVE

• HISTORICALLY

• THEOLOGICALLY

• ETHICALLY

• SCIENTIFICALLY

REVIEW OF SDA ATTITUDES

WE FIND

NOT A SINGLE ATTITUDE BUT

MANY VALUES AND CONCEPTS AMONG

BOTH MEMBERSHIP AND LEADERS

ADVENTIST HEALTH MINISTRY HAS TWO MAIN

STREAMS

• LIFESTYLE COMPONENTS

• HEALTH CARE MINISTRIES

GENERAL CONFERENCE POLICY OUTLINES THREE

FOUNDATIONAL PLATFORMS

WHICH SHOULD BE APPLIED TO THE HEALTH

MINISTRY PROVIDED BY ANY ADVENTIST

INSTITUTION ( INCLUDES A LOCAL CHURCH)

PHILOSOPHICAL BASE MUST BE

• a) Bible based

• b) Spirit of Prophecy based

• c) Scientific evidence based

Historical Perspectives

• The great disappointment October 22 1844

came at a time of great need. Sickness , pain

and suffering, were rampant.

• Surgery was done without anesthesia

• Infections ran their course

• Epidemics swept like storms through

populations

• Tuberculosis was a scourge

Medical training minimal

• Doctors trained in as little as 4-8

months and for the most part were

what we would call charlatans.

• Into this abyss of ignorance, dirt,

disease and pseudo science, stormed

the “Health Reformers”

They imported and modified ideas from

England• A vegetarian diet, light on fats, rich in

fruit and vegetables whole grains

legumes was recommended by these

men, leaders were, Sylvester Graham,

Russel Trall, and Dr. Jackson and they

began publishing in the 1830’s before

our church even existed

According to Mrs. White they tended to be

ExtremeEGW had to steer a course of

moderation especially in controversial

areas

June 6 1863• Ellen white received a vision of which she wrote;

“I saw that now we should take special care of the health

that God has given us for our work was not yet done…I

saw we should encourage a cheerful hopeful peaceful

frame of mind for our health depends on our doing

this…the more perfect our health the more perfect will

be our labor….we have a duty to come out against

intemperance of every kind- intemperance in working,

in eating, in drugging and then point them to Gods

great medicine water, pure soft water, for diseases, for

health, for cleanliness, and for luxury (MSI/1863)

Note the Purpose

Preservation of Health God has given

To permit a more “perfect work” some

have placed more of an emphasis on

“perfect people”

CONTEXT SO IMPORTANT

• LIFE EXPECTANCY;

30yrs, in 1800,

41yrs. by 1850,

50yrs. by 1900, and

67yrs. by 1950.

A starling need for better health if the little

band of Adventists were to achieve their goal

The second Health vision Dec 25 1865

To use health to diffuse prejudice

“by thus being placed under the

influence of truth some will not only

obtain relief from from bodily infirmities

but find a balm for their sin sick souls”

(1T403)

Theological Perspectives

Nowhere in Adventist Theology does

the practice of health principles or

lifestyle qualify one as a more worthy

candidate for heaven.

Salvation is in Jesus and HIM alone.

Some over emphasize lifestyle

Would teach health as though it

possessed “salvific” properties, their

emphasis makes for controversy and

bitterness within congregations.

Grace is the only means of salvation and

other emphasis creates debate of dubious

merit.

Ethical Perspectives

IN KEEPING TO THE “MIDDLE” PATH

AND IN BALANCE THERE INEVITABLY

WILL ARISE ETHICAL QUESTIONS

WHICH WOULD NOT BE RAISED IF THE

ANSWER WAS SELF-EVIDENT

SOME ASK; IS IT APPROPRIATE TO USE HEALTH CARE IN AN

EFFORT TO WIN PEOPLE TO THE CHURCH?RICHARD P. SLOAN

THE AUTHOR OF THE BOOK “BLIND

FAITH” CALLS SUCH ACTIVITY

“an unholy alliance of religion and

medicine”

WHAT DO WE IMPLY WHEN WE USE THE TERM HEALTH

EVANGELISM ?

IT IS THE MOTIVE THAT VALIDATES OR

CONDEMNS THE ACTION HERE.

THE METHODOLOGY ALSO NEEDS TO BE

CONSIDERED.

A “NO STRINGS ATTACHED” MINISTRY

ESPECIALLY IN THE WORK OF OUR

INSTITUTIONS

A MINISTRY SOLEY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE RECIPIENT

COERCION AND PRESSURE TO BE

REMOVED FROM OUR MINISTRY

Scientific Perspectives

Physical Health;

The importance of the content and

scientific validity of our messages. AH

Studies confirm the core teachings

Adventist Health Study 2

Too early to be conclusive but is suggesting,

Total Plant Based diet (TPB) plus supplemental

B12 results in lower body mass, cholesterols,

and therefore may be cardio protective.

Lacto ovo vegetarian diet (LOV) may be

associated with decreased overall mortality

Evidence SupportsA well balanced Vegetarian diet

Regular exercise

Lots of liquids

Adequate rest

Temperance in all things

Abstinence from things harmful

A positive outlook

Strong social support

Integrity in our dealings

Scientific Perspectives

Mental Health;

The brains capacity for change!

Plasticity. Rewiring can take place, this

has great implications for mental

health and our emphasis on Spiritual

values.

Plasticity explains the dangers of addictive

behaviorsPornography;

Leads to sexual degradation with at times

brutal, abusive sexual practices, a caricature

of desirable sexuality

Drugs;

Alter neuronal pathways warping capacity to

judge . Need to be alert for mental pollutants

Scientific Perspectives

Spiritual health;

Dangers of “wolves in sheep's clothing”

New Age thinking

Excessive selfishness in Health Ministry

Remunerative practices

Ministry of Healing

“The unwearied servant of man’s

necessity”

PHILOSOPHY?

OUR MOTIVES

METHODOLOGIES

PRACTICE

ALL A DEMONSTRATION OF OUR

APPRECIATION OF THE GRACE OF OUR

LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS

THANK YOU