Nearly 1 in 2 people in the United State of American have a chronic condition, which means, that if you're not suffering, it's likely someone you love who is silently enduring great hardships. Oftentimes a chronic illness, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, or chronic pain like migraines or back pain, is undetectable to those around them. It may surprise you to know that, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 96% of the people who have an illness do not use an assistive device, like a cane or a wheelchair. Pain is nearly always invisible. Those that are ill usually do everything that they can to get to church. They want to be part of the church community and they appear to be healthy. Still, just sitting through the service can be extremely difficult. I distinctly remember trying to make it through a service. My rheumatoid arthritis was flaring a great deal. I stood up during worship when they announced, "Please stand," but I had to grab onto the pew in front of me just to balance. With knees that need join replacement and feet that are deformed and breaking down, I nearly laughed as the worship song lyrics were, "I will stand in spite of pain." Even as I was surrounded by people in a church I loved, I still felt as though no one understood what I was going through-physically or emotionally. It's no secret that churches feel responsible for the many needs that already must be fulfilled in their church body and when someone shares another need it can be seen as an inconvenience. And these needs are visible ones. So the question from pastors is often, "If people aren't saying anything about their pain, then that means they are dealing with it fine? Right? We tell them to send in prayer requests or let us know if they need anything and they don't speak up, so evidently they are doing okay with it? Their faith should sustain them during those valleys." Let's look at some staggering statistics: - Despite what we are led to believe by our media, 60% of the people who suffer with daily pain or illness are between the ages of 18 and 64. - 75 percent of marriages that have at least one person with a chronic illness end in divorce. - Depression has been found to be 15-20% higher for the chronically ill than it is for the average person. - Various studies have discovered that physical illness (not mental illness) or uncontrollable physical pain are major factors in up to 70% of suicides.* Whether the need is obvious or not, we should be concerned because our churches are filled with many people who are living with chronic pain. And when chronic pain exists, broken spirits are also there. People are hurting silently and need help and encouragement. These are the broken-hearted that Jesus says he will give comfort. So the question remains, if people don't talk about their pain, but they still have a need to learn how to cope with it and find hope, how does a church reach out to them most effectively? 1) First, take the time to conduct a survey about the needs people may have that they are not vocalizing, especially if you are a large church where people may be more reluctant to talk about their illnesses (or lack of healing thus far). In a recent Barna group study, it was found that larger churches were the least likely to mention congregational care ministries as a priority (Church Priorities for 2005 Vary Considerably). Ask, "If a van was provided, would you be able to get to church more easily? Would you listen to church on the internet if you were too ill to attend? Do you feel you can call and ask for occasional personal assistance (especially if the illness is chronic and not acute)? Do you know who to call? Would you like the worship song lyrics in the bulletin and not just on an overhead? Are the seats comfortable or would you prefer a few rows be saved for you with cushions?" Brainstorm with a group of people who have a chronic illness and ask them for a wish list. Then sit down and prioritize. (2) Organize a care group, similar to other small groups your church has, for the chronically ill. For example, Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization for those who live with chronic illness, has a small group program, HopeKeepers. They have a great selection of resource materials, Bible studies and support for group leaders. A group like this can be a turning point for people who really need the hands on support and understanding. Talking and praying about one's illness week after week in a regular small group can feel like you are a burden to others. But having a small group environment that is a "safe place" where everyone "speaks the same language" and even laughs at the same silly stories can be refreshing. The group doesn't need to be large. Even just having the chance to hand out with one other person can be life-changing. Be a church that recognizes the struggles of chronic illness and provide an oasis for people. (3) Have special guest speakers encourage your church body. There are dozens of people who have physical disabilities that go to churches and share their testimony about what God has done in their life. Allowing them to be at the pulpit and share what God has done in their lives, despite physical challenges and set backs, sends a message to those that are ill that you recognize their needs, you care, and most of all, that you believe they are still worthy to be used by God. People such as Dave Dravecky, Renee Bondi, Joni Eareckson Tada, and many others, minister to the masses, not just those with disabilities. (4) Consider adding a parish nurse to your staff, especially if your church body has a lot of seniors. Marquette University College of Nursing, which has an excellent parish nursing program, reports there are about 6000 parish nurses in United States. Many retired nurses are finding this area of ministry appealing and most parish nurse certification can be given by many hospitals. The parish nurse position description depends on your church's needs and goals. For example, they may go to homes to monitor diabetes or high blood pressure of church members, organize walking groups, health fairs and screenings, and even help out with the chronic illness small group. The role of the parish nurse may be a better choice than a disabilities coordinator, depending on your church's demographics. This person would help cover the disability ministry needs and work closely with the congregational care pastor. (5) Stock up on caring resources that are available for people to borrow. Lots of people with chronic illness are on a fixed-income but they truly want the encouragement. Your church library should carry your many books on living with chronic illness such as "Why Can't I Make People Understand?" or "Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend," by Lisa Copen or Joni Eareckson Tada's amazing book, "When God Weeps." Purchase a few subscriptions to magazines such as "HopeKeepers", "Guideposts" and even "Fibromyalgia Aware." Don't forget books on tape, audio presentations and large-print materials whenever they are available. Put up flyers or have brochures available about chronic illness or disability ministries. These include Joni and Friend's "Wheels for the World" program or Rest Ministries' annual outreach, "National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week." Recruit a volunteer to assemble binders of information about national ministries and local resources. Also include Christian organizations, magazines and newsletters on topics of interest to Christian seniors, those who live with disabilities and illness, and caregivers. (6) Finally, and perhaps most importantly, keep in mind that people with illness want to help serve. Not just be served. Proverbs 11:25 says, "He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." For example, if a woman with a chronic illness explains that she must resign from teaching Sunday school, make sure she knows that she is welcome to serve in other ways when she is ready. Though she no longer is physically able to teach four-year-olds, she may discover that she loves writing notes to people who have just been diagnosed with a chronic illness. A man may discover that he prefers mentoring another man with a chronic illness one-on-one, instead of leading a weekly Bible study. Let people know that you value wounded healers and that your church believes that God comforts us "so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God" (2 Corinthians 1:4). About twice a month someone tells me that they went to their pastor with a request to start a chronic illness HopeKeepers ministry and they were told, "Come back when you are healed and then we will talk. You can't very well minister to others with illness when you aren't even healed yourself." The broken hearts that arise from these comments is unbearable. It's devastating to feel like God is using your illness for His glory and then be told you are no longer useful to the church-or even to God-until you are healed. In the parable Jesus shares in Luke 14:21, a man asks his friends to come to a great banquet he has prepared. But his friends turn him down. Upset with their lack of graciousness he orders, "Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame." This is still a directive to us today. Too few of our churches have recognized the needs of the chronically ill in their own church, much less their community. We must focus on providing a place where we offer unconditional hospitality. We need to "go out" into our own pews and ask the chronically ill to help us provide a place of refuge. And then these people will become the comforters, who, with the support of their church, will be able to go out into the community and offer to walk alongside the hurting with understanding.
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