Rusty Wright, author
Physician
September/October 1998
Used by Permission

"Stop right there!" the elderly patient exclaimed. "I know God hates bastards!"

The Christian medical student who was trying to communicate his faith for the first time was a bit flustered. He had just told the patient that God loved her, but his training hadn't taught him how to deal with this objection. Conceived during a rape, this woman had lived 62 years with the misconception that the Bible says, "God hates bastards."

After gathering his wits, the student continued and read her a statement written by John, a first-century believer, in the New Testament: "To all who believe Him [Jesus] and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God." The patient broke down weeping and soon placed her faith in God. "And who is your father?" the student asked at the end of the visit. With a big smile, she answered, "God is my father!"

Medical personnel, like this student, often want to render spiritual assistance to their patients but fear they might confuse or offend. Yet Christian physicians and health-care workers are discovering that they can tactfully and sensitively communicate faith to patients in their hours of deepest hurt. Led by Yang Chen, MD, and his wife, Alice, the Medical Strategic Network (MSN) has coached medical professionals worldwide to be sensitive to spiritual needs.

Solid Information

MSN's success reflects current trends. A survey of the American Academy of Family Physicians (reported in 1996) found that 99 percent of doctors believe the spirit and flesh are significantly related. Recent studies have examined possible links between workers religious practices and physical/psychological ailments and prognoses. A Time/CNN poll in June 1996 found that 64 percent of Americans "thought doctors should pray with those patients who request it." Research conducted in February 1996 for USA Weekend showed that 63 percent feel doctors should talk with patients about faith.

Through conferences called "Medical Evangelism Training and Strategies," or simply "METS," MSN offers specialized training to help health professionals address spiritual issues with skill and sensitivity. METS participants learn to take a "spiritual history" interviewing interested patients about their response to illness, feelings, fears and sources of strength. Many discussions reveal a deep hunger to know God.

"As physicians, we're trained to ask questions before we formulate our diagnoses and treatment," Dr. Chen says. "Asking the right questions is essentially the way we get at the root of a person's medical problems." MSN's emphasis is not to push but lovingly to share good news with the many who express interest.

Dr. Chen tells of one METS trainee who asked a patient, "Is there anything about your illness that has raised fears or concerns about the future?" The patient responded, "Yeah, I'm having open-heart surgery tomorrow, and I don't know if I'll spend eternity with God." The startled doctor stood, mouth gape, for a moment, then realized he had a short, written summary of the Christian message in his pocket. He used it to introduce the patient to Christ.

Dr. Chen reports that during a METS conference field practicum, up to 75 percent of patients who don't already know Christ personally (and who have the opportunity during the visit to learn how to) do indicate that they place their faith in Christ during the interview. He says the results are consistent among various types of hospitals, including veterans, county, private and university medical centers.

Lets' Talk

Not everyone accepts Christ right away of course, but trained medical professionals can sow seeds. MSN associates Bob and Diana Mason help facilitate MSN conferences and seek to spiritually build medical students and health-care professionals at Southern California's Loma Linda University. The Masons tell of Georgia, a nurse, and her husband, Bill, who encountered a skeptical patient. "What keeps you going through your illness?" asked Bill. "Good beer," the patient replied. Bill then asked the man about his relationship with God. "I have a real good relationship with God," the patient explained. "He leaves me alone, and I leave Him alone." Sensing bitterness in the man, Bill and Georgia listened to his story of war experiences and disappointments. Then Georgia said, "Do you think your mother was bitter?" "Oh, no," the patient said. "She was a believer. "Do you think your mother prayed for you?" Georgia ventured sensitively "Definitely." "Would you like this booklet?" "I'm not going to read it. It's a waste of my time." "Would you read it for your mother?" "Yeah. You can leave it." A seed was sown.

Another time, Dr. Chen accompanied a Tennessee opthalmologist who communicated his faith to a patient who had just been transferred out of the ICU after having his endotracheal tube removed. Seeing the patient's sixtyish brother sitting nearby, Dr. Chen asked if he had ever heard this message of knowing God personally.

"You know," the brother replied, "all my life I've been looking for the answer to that question. I have a brother-in-law who is a minister, and one day I asked him, 'I really want to pray and get close to God, but I don't know how?"' The minister responded, "Just keep on trying. You'll get it one of these days."

The brother continued to Dr. Chen: "I'm a truck driver. Often when I'm driving on the freeway and I see a synagogue, a church, or a mosque, I stop, get into the place of worship and contemplate for 15 minutes, hoping to get some kind of answer." That day, both brothers found the answer.

Body and Soul

Dr. Chen enthusiastically encourages his peers to consider their spheres of influence: "Medical professionals are key influences in society by virtue of their roles and relationships. We have a unique platform for ministry. The essence of this healing ministry healed both body and soul. The Greek word sozo meant both to heal and to save. In other words, in Jesus healing and salvation were inseparable.

"Healing for Christian medical professionals cannot be merely science," he continues, "or even humanitarian service in the name of Christ. To be authentic, we must integrate our Christian faith with our healing."

Dr. Chen goes on to note that many Christian medical professionals feel ill-equipped to relate the message of Christ to the concerns of their patients and colleagues. Some are intimidated by a sometimes stifling professional environment.

MSN provides training, discipleship, leadership development and opportunities to serve abroad. "Our missions emphasis includes a strong commitment to the integration of spiritual with social transformation," Dr. Chen says. "The Network seeks to work together with individuals and organizations who share the same overall vision."

MSN personnel are convinced that health-care processionals, properly equipped, can make a lasting impact by providing clear spiritual answers, one life at a time.

Yang Chen on Faith and Practice

Physician: How can a physician balance what he was told in medical school ("don't push your faith/religion on patients") with what you are encouraging-completely mixing medicine and ministry?

Yang Chen: Physicians need to realize that spiritual care is an integral part of patient care rather than something extraneous to the clinician's role. There is a sizable body of scientific literature documenting the positive impact of spiritual intervention. In fact, a growing list of medical schools are beginning to incorporate a "spiritual care curriculum" into the educational process. Multiple surveys have also shown that most patients want their doctors to consider the patient's spiritual needs. In fact, it could be argued that failure to recognize and address these aspects in a patient who wants them and could benefit from them is a form of negligence. Clinicians who want to know how to address spiritual issues can receive formal training in this area, while those who do not feel comfortable with it should at least consider referring the patient to a colleague who is competent to deal with these issues.

Physician: What can a physician do when she is reprimanded for sharing her faith, perhaps even jeopardizing her career?

Yang Chen: In my experience, if approached in a sensitive and caring manner, most patients are grateful that their own doctor is interested in their spiritual welfare. There are non-threatening ways to identify the patient's spiritual openness and obtain his permission before delving more deeply into these issues. Nevertheless, the physician who wants to provide spiritual care should be prepared for spiritual conflict. She should familiarize herself with the ethical principles and the importance of spiritual intervention and be prepared to present these arguments in a cogent and collegial manner if challenged.

Rusty Wright is an author and university lecturer. His articles have appeared in numerous newspapers and magazines, including Connecticut Medicine and Christianity Today.