Healing
Welcome to this section of the website which is concerned with the ministry of healing and wholeness.
Christian healing is primarily about a relationship with Jesus in that we want people to experience not only healing but the healer. This makes it different from other types of spiritual healing which focus more on natural energy. We certainly pray that the Holy Spirit will be at work but the deepest healing comes from an encounter with Christ. At the heart of our praying for individuals through the laying on of hands or anointing with oil lies the concept that Jesus is the only person who can heal us comprehensively; body, mind and spirit. There are many examples of such healing in the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles.
Healing in our churches takes many different forms. It may occur through listening, remembering services, intercessions, ministry to people who can’t get to church as well as specific prayer with individuals, teaching, touch, anointing and Holy Communion. In these and numerous other ways, we seek to introduce or bring people closer to Jesus the healer.
Our aim as a group is to encourage our churches to be seen as places of healing and to facilitate this process. Approaches vary from the more sacramental to the overtly charismatic and this is reflected in the diversity of books and publications highlighted below. We want to offer support to parishes as they explore the various aspects of the Christian Healing Ministry in their own unique situation.
The group is currently small but we aim to build up a resource of experienced practitioners who can offer help and guidance to parishes on various healing issues. At present, we can point people in the direction of finding the following resources:-- Teaching on the healing ministry.
- Teaching and guidance on prayer ministry.
- Training and guidance on listening skills.
- Training and advice on issues of forgiveness and reconciliation.
- Healing of past memories and hurts.
- Advice regarding mental health issues.
- Biblical reflection exploring the practical expressions of this ministry.
Further information is available from Mike Hughes or Pam Thorn.
The Revd Dr Mike Hughes
Bishop’s Adviser in Healing
01353 615682
The Revd Pam Thorn
Chair of the Healing Advisory Group
01223 864262
Christian Healing Ministry Training
The Healing Advisory Group can offer a day’s training programme for deaneries or parishes on the Healing Ministry. It consists of the following:-
Session 1: The Christian Healing Ministry; an overview
Session 2: A Prayer Ministry approach
Session 3: A Health Care approach
Session 4: A Sacramental approach
Eucharist with anointing prayer/prayer for healing/short talk in summary
Please contact the Healing Adviser for further information.
Believing in a God who heals
The annual celebration of healing will take place on November 3rd 2012 at the Methodist Church in Ely. Details will follow soon.
Useful Links
- Helpful books and publications
- “Depressed, Oppressed or Possessed? Healing wounded minds.” talk given by Chris MacKenna at 2010 Healing Day
Links to Christian Healing organisations
- Acorn Christian Healing Foundation
Courses for churches are available covering both Christian listening and Christian healing. Various courses are also available at their centre at Whitehill Chase in Hampshire.
- Burrswood
An independent Christian hospital providing respite care, palliative care, counselling and Christian ministry. Quiet Days with devotional talks in the context of worship and prayer take place throughout the year.
- The Christian Healing Mission
This ecumenical organisation began life as the London Healing Mission in 1948 but after closing for several years, re-opened under its current name. The mission will respond to requests for prayer by telephone or e-mail. They also train people and churches in the Christian Healing Ministry as well as arranging study days.
- Churches Together for Healing
Go to themes; church life & evangelisation; healing to find the appropriate part of this website which provides resources and guidance from an ecumenical perspective.
- Crowhurst Healing Centre
A healing centre providing opportunities for rest, retreat, healing prayer and ministry.
- Ellel Ministries
Provides healing retreats with opportunities for personal prayer ministry.
- Freedom in Christ
Provides encouragement, advice and training in helping emotionally damaged people to experience wholeness in Christ. Also produces the Freedom in Christ Discipleship course described earlier.
- The Guild of St Raphael
Encourages churches to view the ministry of healing as a normal part of life and worship. Has a focus on the use of sacraments in healing. A number of useful articles on the website.
- New Wine
Offers one day courses on healing ministry training. Numerous publications.
- St Marylebone Healing and Counselling Centre
Healing is available through professional counselling, mental health support, spiritual direction and healing prayer.
- Wholeness through Christ
Prayer ministry courses are held in various parts of the country.