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HEALING MINISTRY

Canon Edward Probert (Wednesday 1st October 2008)

Over recent decades the ministry of healing has moved from the fringes of Church life towards the centre ground. Since the 18th century it has been viewed as the province of a few eccentrics or the delusional; healing was the work of the medical profession, and religion (if needed at all) was to deal with the ‘spiritual’ realm. But this philosophical and professional separation of mind and body has become increasingly discredited, and everyone now recognises that the mind plays an important part in physical health.

But Christians are looking deeper than this. The psychosomatic unity isn’t simply about the individual, but concerns our whole being, including our relationship with God and with others. The Christian healing ministry involves a health which is not merely focussed on an ailment (however important it may be), but attends to the well-being of the whole person in society and eternity.

This is a large remit, and vague language. But our bodies (including our mental health) confront us with problems which are specific, and can dominate our attention. The Church’s healing ministry is exercised to bring the graceful nature of God to bear on these specific needs. This does not promise dramatic curing of ills, but rather, as with all prayer, places needs before God and asks, with Jesus, ‘not my will, but yours, be done’. And because we have the assurance of God’s love, we are confident in his good purposes, that he brings good from evil, joy from pain.

For years we have held a healing service at the Cathedral, at 6.30pm on the first Thursday of each month. This month we are beginning an experiment which extends the healing ministry, and holds it within our main act of worship, the Sunday Eucharist. St Luke’s day falls on the 18th, so it is appropriate that the first of these occasions will be 19th October; thereafter it will happen monthly.

Members of the congregation can pray privately with appropriately trained people, either for their own needs or for someone else, and receive laying on of hands for either. Anointing will be available. All of this will happen after receiving communion; people will be invited to the Trinity Chapel where the ministry will take place.

However many go there, this will not be for the few, but of the many.

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