Churches Together for Healing
and its work

The healing ministry of the Church is a Gospel imperative. Jesus commissioned his disciples to heal the sick on two occasions: (Matthew 10.5-15, Mark 6.7-13; Luke 9.1-5; 10.9). He explicitly linked healing the sick with going out into the community to proclaim the coming of the Kingdom (Mark 6:13; Matthew 4.23, 9.35-10.8). Consequently the response of Christian communities to people’s needs for healing is one of the most important ways in which the Gospel is proclaimed to contemporary society.

Clear indications of the practical expression of the healing ministry are provided through St Paul’s reference to the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12.9) and in James 5.13-17, one of the strongest exhortations to heal in the New Testament:

‘ Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. 14 Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.’

These references provide important theological foundations for contemporary expressions of this ministry, emphasizing communal response, anointing with oil, confession and reconciliation, powerful prayer for healing in the name of the Lord and proclamation of the coming of the kingdom. The healing ministry is part of Jesus’ continuing work through the Church and of the pascal mystery towards which we, as individuals and as ecumenical partners, are being drawn.

Churches Together for Healing (CTH) came into being in June 2000 following discussions with Churches Together in England (CTE) involving people from several denominations who believed in the ecumenical support and development of the healing ministry. Previously, a national group, the Methodist-URC Joint Health and Healing Development Group had met for several years, sharing a common data base of appointed healing ministry advisers across these two denominations and organising regular meetings and conferences. Following the publication in 2000 of ‘A Time to Heal’: a report for the House of Bishops of the Church of England on the healing ministry, this Joint Group offered to broaden its membership to include representation on behalf of other denominations within CTE, which wished ecumenically to support and develop this ministry. In 2003 CTH became a coordinating body within Churches Together in England.

Consequently, eleven denominations have taken part through appointed representatives during the first seven years of CTH. The contact details of current respresentives of denominations involved in CTH is available. Enquiries about CTH and ecumenical issues in relation to the healing ministry can also be made through denominational headquarters, through Churches Together in England or to the Chairman or Secretary of CTH.

The terms of reference for CTH were agreed by the representatives on CTH during its initial formation. These terms summarise the guiding principles, including aims, areas of activity, funding and denominational representation. The representatives (up to two per denomination involved) have met approximately three times a year to develop a shared understanding of the healing ministry, to learn from each other about the factors which affect this ministry within and across the denominations, in order to discern the priorities for ecumenical cooperation in the future. Through this process, CTH has produced an initial set of study papers on which ecumenical cooperation can be explored and developed.



Ecumenical guidelines for good practice in the healing ministry
One of the foundation stones of ecumenical cooperation in this ministry is a shared understanding of good practice. CTH has developed ecumenical guidelines for good practice in the healing ministry. Twelve important guidelines for good practice, covering a broad range of issues, including prayer and preparation, safety, accountability and regulation, training and supervision, competency and boundaries, personal conduct, confidentiality and the relationship between the Church and professional and voluntary healthcare.

Discussion within CTH has fostered appreciation of ways in which each denomination has its own interpretation of this ministry and good ministerial practice. Nevertheless, people seeking healing often move across denominational boundaries. Furthermore, healing ministry teams increasingly involve people, lay and ordained, from more than one denomination. Consequently, a shared understanding of good practice and commitment to it are important for everyone involved. The guiding principle is to recognise the presence of God in those receiving the healing ministry and to honour God=s presence in them.


Definitions of key terms used in the healing ministry
CTH has produced a study paper on ecumenical definitions and glossary of key terms used in the healing ministry. In the past there have been differing perceptions of what certain terms mean to individuals and within individual denominations. Encouraging a shared vocabulary helps to foster a common understanding of this ministry across denominational boundaries and increases awareness of ecumenical issues in relation to the healing ministry.


Approaches by individual denominations to the Christian healing ministry
Through discussions and reflection, CTH has developed awareness that each denomination has its own approach to the healing ministry: for example, in terms of its organisation and support, its practical expressions and underlying theology. In order to help better understanding of the differences and greater enthusiasm for those aspects of this ministry which we can share and develop, CTH has produced a study paper: approaches by some denominations to the Christian healing ministry. Contributions have been made by the following denominations, in alphabetical order:

$ The Baptist Union
$ The Church of England
$ The Church of Scotland in England
$ The Methodist Church in England and Wales
$ The Religious Society of Friends

$ The Roman Catholic Church
$ The Salvation Army
$ The United Reformed Church


Suggestions for further reading and research on the healing ministry and related areas of ministry and pastoral care
Much has been written about the healing ministry in recent years and CTH offers suggestions for further reading and research: Suggestions for further reading on the Church=s healing ministry. The CTH list of books and associated literature is offered in support of the ecumenical expression of this ministry and to help develop wider appreciation of the issues which affect its development. It is a fairly comprehensive (although not exhaustive) list of books which represent contributions from a range of traditions: nevertheless it does not attempt to be the definitive list of publications on the healing ministry. The publications have been selected and suggested by individual denominational representatives on CTH: consequently, they reflect a wide range of differences in theology, ecclesiology, practical expression and other aspects of this ministry, as well as valued shared common ground.


Ecumenical database of healing ministry advisers
CTH carries a confidential data base for contacts for advice on the healing ministry, across several denominations, including denominationally appointed healing ministry advisers in the Baptist Union, the Church of England, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church. Advisers who have been appointed by their denomination are invited to regional meetings of CTH, from time to time. For advice about your nearest appointed healing ministry adviser, or CTH region, please contact the CTH Chairman or the CTH Secretary.


Training resources for the healing ministry
CTH is currently revising its study paper which lists training resources which are currently available. Inclusion on the list does not imply that CTH recommends the resources: the list simply provides details of what is already available.


Guidelines for ecumenical cooperation in the healing ministry
A broad range of resources is available through Churches Together in England, through the Church of England's Council for Christian Unity and through the headquarters of other denominations, in support of ecumenical cooperation. Since the healing ministry is an integral part of ministry and mission within the world-wide Church of God, its expression should take into account those factors which affect ecumenical dialogue and cooperation in general, both nationally and locally. Expressing this ministry ecumenically is one of the ways in which we can facilitate reconciliation and healing between the denominations and work together towards visible unity


For the future...
CTH continues to meet approximately three times a year, in order to maintain an overview of the healing ministry across the denominations and to explore ways in which this ministry can be further supported and developed ecumenically. We encourage you to visit this site regularly in order to check for further resources which will be made available on-line from time to time. Furthermore, if you have suggestions or information you would like to share with CTH in relation to these matters, please contact the CTH Chairman or the CTH Secretary.