5 More Reasons to Start a Health and Wellness Ministry at Your Church

Here is the next installment in the series of articles about church Health and Wellness ministries. Please read and consider starting one, even if only on a small scale, where you worship.

1. Teaching healthy habits should start early.

Instruction about healthy lifestyle choices would greatly benefit the children in any church. Studies support the fact that children adopt their good or bad health behaviors and attitudes very early on. This is information most public schools may not deliver effectively, if at all.

Does your Sunday school program serve breakfast? If not, why? Such a program would serve as a teaching opportunity about nutrition and boost attendance. I remember looking forward to a hot breakfast after Sunday school on Sunday morning at my church growing up. Serve them a simple, nutritious breakfast and help them seal in those good habits. Make the investment in their health because they are the future of your church.

2. Fellowship.

Your ministry activities would serve as a wonderful fellowship opportunity for members. Some possibilities include walking groups, healthy dinners, indoor exercise groups and much more. Consider the fellowship opportunity ministry meetings, events, and activities could present for other churches you worship with.

3. Opportunity for use of gifts and talents.

How many of your members are not actively participating in a ministry? This type of endeavor would present a wonderful opportunity for members of all ages to serve and participate in a unique ministry. You may very well have members in your congregation right now whose gifts and talents are perfect for this type of work. Serving in this way would allow them to further develop their spiritual gifts which will bless them, the other members, and community members in the process. Speaking of community members...

4. Outreach.

A Health and Wellness ministry could easily work in tandem with your local outreach ministry. You can open your events to the community. Use health and wellness activities as an opportunity to witness to them about Christ and invite them to be a part of your congregation.

5. Enhance other church activities.

If your church is like most, you probably have an annual outing or cookout. Why not use this event as a chance to promote physical activity? Consider setting up several games for adults and children similar to what you would find at a school field day. How much fun would it be to put a new spin on an old tradition?