Mary Chase-Ziolek Contributes to Brill’s Theology and Mission in World Christianity Series

Mary Chase-Ziolek, PhD, RN, Professor Emeritus of Health Ministries at North Park Theological Seminary recently contributed a chapter in Re-visioning the Mission of Health: A Global Invitation to Heal and Thrive in Crisis (Brill, 2026). From the publisher: This volume is a global, multidisciplinary exploration of the church’s mission of creating healthy individuals, families, communities and societies. Following the healing ministry of Jesus, Christians have assumed the availability of divine healing and spiritual well-being, internally and interpersonally. Contributors analyze diverse ministries of health and healing, from around the world and throughout the ages, through historical, theological, and practical lenses. These include desert monasteries; medieval hospices, and shrines; modern “medical missions”; “Christian health services”; contemporary psychological therapies; and Christian healers, who may use traditional medicines and reject biomedical intervention. This research shows how healing is integral to Christian faith and mission.

Entitled “Ministries of Health and Human Flourishing,” Dr. Chase-Ziolek’s contribution comes from participating in a panel on Building a Healthier World as part of Fuller Seminary’s Missiology Lectures: A New Vision of Health and Mission: A Global Invitation to Heal and Thrive in Crisis, on October 29, 2021.

She writes, “Living through a pandemic has highlighted the need to live into the church’s tradition of health and healing. We are reminded, as Isaiah 58 challenges us, that the health of each of us is related to the health of all of us. The church is the ideal place to show the world how this is done. My chapter provides insight into ways churches are engaged in ministries of health that contribute to human flourishing in congregations and communities. Ministries of health are informed by the local context and develop based on the culture, values, and needs of the congregation and surrounding community. Drawing on Scripture and tradition, as well as multiple disciplines, several perspectives shape how the church promotes health. Focus on the individual and honoring the body through self-care is one approach to ministries of health including wellness groups using the wide range of faith-based health promotion programs, community gardening or intentionally providing healthy food options at church events. The church’s health ministries of compassion and mercy involve reaching out to those dealing with health challenges through home visitation accompanying individuals and families, support groups, healing services or caregiver relief. Justice can also be the focus of the church’s ministries of health, standing together with those on the margins and addressing health disparities through advocacy or faith-based partnerships to improve community health. There are many approaches yet one result of forming healthy individuals, families, and communities.”

You can learn more about Re-visioning the Mission of Health: A Global Invitation to Heal and Thrive in Crisis and order a copy here.

Dr. Chase-Ziolek served on North Park Theological Seminary’s faculty from 1999-2021 and continues at the institution as adjunct faculty. Her work in health ministry has included: identifying the unique aspects of giving and receiving nursing care in a congregation; engaging congregations in promoting the health of their communities; spirituality and personal health; Seminary wellness, and faith and food. Her book, Health, Healing and Wholeness: Engaging Congregations in Ministries of Health, was published by Pilgrim Press in 2005. Dr. Chase-Ziolek is also an active spiritual director, having graduated from the C. John Weborg Center for Spiritual Direction in 2018.