9 February 2017 | Oslo, Norway [Tor Tjeransen] With a significant number of Adventist members working in the health professions, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Norway has organised a Health Association to better meet the needs of their communities.
Young adults took the lead as 150 health professionals and pastors met in Oslo over the weekend of 3 – 5 February 2017 for the Nordic Health Congress. As part of the Comprehensive Health Ministry global initiative of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Norwegian Union Health Ministries Department organised the Health Congress to inspire health professionals and pastors to unite their efforts in meeting the needs of their local communities.
Doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, dieticians and pastors were among the professionals who voted to establish the Seventh-day Adventist Health Professionals’ Association to co-ordinate their efforts to teach sound health practices and meet needs.
Dr Peter Landless, Director of the Health Ministries Department at Adventist World Church headquarters stated, “It is important that we are never unethical when we share health intervention with people who are vulnerable.” He noted the danger, that some people might feel obliged to agree with the physician, because they worry that the care might deteriorate if they do not agree.
Landless stressed that as Adventist health professionals we serve the people we meet with no strings attached. “We do what we do, because it is the right thing to do and because Jesus has told us to do it,” he reminded the congress participants.
The Norwegian Union President, Pastor Reidar Kvinge, was delighted to see the association formed, noting that it will certainly enhance the image and visibility of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Norway.
“I am really grateful for the dedication of the highly qualified health professionals in our church,” he stated. “The new association will undoubtedly help us to become more focused and efficient in serving our local communities. We want to make a difference to the people of Norway.”
Dr David Williams, a professor in the School of Public Health at Harvard University, was one of the presenters at the congress. In one of his lectures, he spoke about research on the consequences of early childhood experiences impacting health later in life.
Dr Williams also noted the positive effects of good childhood experiences. “To be loved and cared for is associated with improved biological functioning, even forty to sixty years later.”
Dr Torben Bergland, Director of the Health Ministries department of the church in the Trans-European region, was very pleased with the outcomes of the congress.
“We wanted to rekindle the passion for health ministry among health professionals, pastors and others, and inspire them to engage in it with enthusiasm. Health ministry should be guided by evidence-based research and practices, the Bible and the insights of church co-founder, Ellen White.” He added, “We are taking a comprehensive perspective that encompasses much more than just diet. What we as Adventists offer members and the public, must be balanced and make life richer.”
Pastor Vidar Hovden said the congress had been one of the most inspiring Adventist events he had attended. He particularly noted with gratitude how many young adults had been playing key roles in the congress. [tedNEWS]
More images from the Health Congress on ADAMS.
tedNEWS Staff: Victor Hulbert, editor; Esti Pujic, associate editor
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tedNEWS is an information bulletin issued by the communication department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Trans-European Division.
