Description
Available on Kindle!
Read the Foreword and "More About the Author"
Author, pastor, and spiritual director Michael Gemignani affirms that Jesus Christ established the church primarily as an instrument of spiritual healing. Each local congregation, as the Body of Christ on earth, should, therefore, have spiritual healing as the focus of its ministry. In this practical primer for churches, Gemignani explores these key questions:
• What is spiritual healing?
• Why is it so important?
• How can my church develop a ministry focused on spiritual healing?
• What obstacles we are likely to encounter and how might we overcome them?
The book includes questions for small-group discussion and congregational action, and concludes with examples of prayers and rituals that might be used for healing, as well as additional resources to assist churches in their healing ministries.
Click her to download the free online companion workbook.
Reviews
"Drawing upon his lengthy experience as a parish priest, spiritual director, university professor, and fellow pilgrim, Michael Gemignani has carefully crafted a straightforward guide for church ministry that is sensitive to the healing of both individual members and the congregation as a whole. He helps the reader consider what it means to be a healthy church--the loving reflection of the 'Body of Christ' we profess to be—with clear assessment tools and practical suggestions for clergy, parishioners, and welcoming visitors." —Leslie A. Hay, DMin, spiritual director and author of Hospitality: The Heart of Spiritual Direction
"This book reminded me of how rarely the subject of Spiritual Healing for a congregation is ever thoroughly addressed. I believe this is a valuable tool from which the leadership of any congregation can gain wisdom." —Joan Dalrymple, RN and a national president of the Order of the Daughters of the King
"Drawing from his decades of experience as a teacher, rector, and spiritual director, Michael Gemignani has written yet another important book. Thoroughly balanced and founded on Scripture, this timely book makes an excellent resource for any Christian who feels God's call to see his or her church become a healing center where lives are transformed by the Holy Spirit." —The Rev. John K Graham, MD, DMin, Senior Associate Rector, St. Martin's Episcopal Church, Houston, TX and author of Mold Me & Shape Me and Graham Crackers and Milk: Food for the Heart and Soul
"Making Your Church a House of Healing is a remarkable book. Rarely does a brilliant intellectual come up with a deceptively simple and user-friendly theological insight that can transform life in a local congregation. Michael Gemignani has done that...I am happy to recommend this honest and insightful book and the man who wrote it because both are realistic and Christ-centered guides for congregations and individuals looking for a new and exciting adventure with God in real-life terms." —Keith Miller, author, The Taste of New Wine, The Edge of Adventure (with Bruce Larson), A Hunger for Healing, and What to Do with the Rest of Your Life:Awakening and Achieving Your Unspoken Dreams
"Leaders of churches who are considering going deeper to make healing more available to their congregation would find reading this book to be helpful." —Dale Fletcher, Faith and Health Connection
Author Bio
Michael Gemignani, MS, PhD, JD, (1938-2024) was the associate rector at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Lamarque, Texas, and an ordained Episcopal priest for more than 30 years. He was also a long-time spiritual director with a special interest in, and experience with, healing ministry.