Edited by Mwai Makoka

A handbook to accompany churches in establishing and running sustainable health promotion ministries

The World Council of Churches (WCC) defines health as a dynamic state of wellbeing of the individual and society. It is a state of physical, mental, spiritual, economic, political, and social wellbeing. And it is a state of humans being in harmony with each other, with the material world, and with God.

In June 2018, the WCC central committee approved the Ecumenical Global Health Strategy, whose purpose is to support churches as healing communities. This handbook contributes to that goal by giving churches practical guidance on starting and running a congregation-based health ministry.

This handbook is expected to support local Christian congregations in starting a sustainable health ministry to ensure that:

• The church is a place of health education.
• The church is a place of practical action.
• The church is a place for advocacy and care for creation.
• The church is a place of empowerment for public witness.

This handbook begins by providing a theological and public health basis of the Health-Promoting Churches (HPC) model. Next it provides a guide on organizing the HPC programme sustainably. Work plans are then provided on seven intervention areas: diet, physical exercise, tobacco, alcohol, mental health, tuberculosis, COVID-19 and other health issues. A monitoring and evaluation framework and guidance on how to address other emerging health issues are also provided. Appendices that provide more detailed information are found at the end of the document for ease of reference.

View the handbook in the World Council of Churches webpage

Read the first volume of the handbook: Health Promoting Churches