IBMS IMSIM LAUNCHES THE COLLEGE OF HEALTH PASTORING IN 2022
Introduction :
Disability and Death are Increasing in our Churches Today many parishioners and pastors alike die and are disabled from health conditions that are greatly impacted by lifestyle behaviors. In fact, 60% of our health status is a result of lifestyle choices (WHO). As Millions of people follow an unhealthy lifestyle, the servants of the Lord must follow health-promoting diet and lifestyles.
Do we need Health Pastors in our churches? IBMS IMSIM envision a time when health pastoring will be part of the nature of work of Christian leaders, aside from spiritual shepherding.
What then is a Health Pastor?
Definition: Health Pastors are church leaders whose model of pastoral care embraces a whole-person view of mind-body-spirt spiritual care and align his pastoral ministry to cater these vital domains.
The field of Health Pastoring entails a type of pastoral care which views man as a composite whole, not as separate units. It is a whole-person approach that specializes in individualized-counseling and care-focused Christian Education that aims on attaining healthier and biblically-relevant behavioral change*: good dietary choices, health-promoting lifestyles and positive mental-emotional attitude of which the sum total (of all components) contributes to a person's general health & spiritual wellbeing.
III John 1:2 is a model of whole-person ministry which takes account of several factors: material, physical, and spiritual. The tasks of Health Pastors requires a comprehensive pastoral care that oversees spiritual vitality, including (not neglecting) physical and mental-emotional health and must include them in Christian Education programs.
Health Pastors Work Towards Achieving the Four Cornerstones of Biblically-Relevant Spiritual Health Through Christian Education
1. A Dynamic Spiritual Attitude (adhering to prayer therapy) 2. Positive Mental & Emotional Attitude 3.Health-promoting Lifestyle 4.Health-promoting Diet
Biblical Foundation 1.Old Testament Teachings
The book of Genesis has taught the adamic generations of a thousand year subsistence on a plant-based diet (Gen.2.16) up to the days of Noah before granting permission to include animal meats in the human diet (Gen.9.4) has given rise to the theological view that a plant-based diet is man's priority. Current research demonstrated the importance of a plant-based diet for health and wellness as well as longevity.
As Dietary Laws remains the core teachings of the Levitical law (Lev.11), and taught for centuries demonstrated that eating and choices of food is a part of God's Lordship over man.
2. New Testament Teachings
The Lord Jesus as our God Shepperd cared for both the body, mind and spirit (Luke 4.16-20). The Gospel shows the Lord proclaiming salvation, but also healing (Luke 7.22). The Apostle Paul discussed our duties involving mind-healing using biblical-relevant spoken WORD.
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor.10.3-5)
The Body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit and Must be Healthy Likewise, the Apostle Paul has pointed it out clearly "whatsoever you eat or drink, do it all for the glory of GOD" (1 Cor.10.31). In 1 Corinthians 6.19-20, he has laid down a divine principles which should govern what we do with our physical body " Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?" thus, it does matter for the Bible-believer, that maintaining our in health and wellness is part of the Biblical mandate.
St. Luke, the Beloved Physician On the other hand, Paul in the Bible has shown us the integral role played by Luke the beloved physician (Col.4.14). St Luke was not just Paul's companion he has aided him in his health as well as as a medical help to others.
St Paul also, out of concern for pastor Timothy states "drink no longer water but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your often infirmities (1 Tim.5.23)
THE CHURCH AND HEALTH MINISTRY
The Doctoral program is offered for both LOCAL AND OVERSEAS PASTORS WHO WISH TO INCLUDE CHRISTIAN HEALTH EDUCATION as part of their mission.
The IBMS IMSIM academic program will equip doctoral students as spiritual counselor, lifestyle counselor, capable to administer Divine healing to the sick and spearhead a Natural Health Education programs as part of C.E. department in the church or denomination.
DOCTOR OF HEALTH PASTORING (DHP) IN HEALTH THEOLOGY AND NATURAL HEALTH SCIENCE (Non-Medical program, 6 Modules, 72 Units)
DOCTOR OF HEALTH PASTORING (DHP) IN HEALTH THEOLOGY AND LIFESTYLE COUNSELING (Non-Medical program, 6 Modules, 72 Units)
DOCTOR OF MINISTRY (DMIN) IN HEALTH PASTORING (Non-Medical program, 6 Modules, 72 Units)