In this chapter I would like to share briefly the reasons why I decided to initiate a healing ministry in my parish, and some of the steps that a pastor might take in initiating public healing services in his or her local church.

As pastor of a predominantly older congregation, I became increasingly concerned about the many members who were experiencing physical difficulties, many of which were related to advancing age. Furthermore, I was perplexed by the suffering, frustration and depression that accompany illness and injury in younger men and women. Having experienced an unfortunate division of the congregation over a proposed building program, I was also grieved over the many broken relationships that occurred within the faith community. These concerns prompted me to begin reading about …