Hi Ahmad

I've been off for a day or so and missed the start of the thread.

God's services are similar to the NHS in that they are universal (Rev
3v20)
free at time of use (Isiah 55 v 1) but the total cost is staggering (Jn
3v16).   The advice on a healthy lifestyle (Exodus 20v1-17) is often
ignored and the administration of the system is mysterious and complex
(most of Ezekiel or Revelation) with very expensively decorated offices
(Rev 21v10-21).  Services range from antenatal (Psalm 139v13) to
Geriatrics
(Gen  5v25-27)  A good Bible dictionary can be as helpful as medline
;-)

Seriously however this individual was employed as a district nurse and
that
is the job to be done.  If a patient asks for advice on a spiritual
level
it may be appropriate to comment briefly.  In a small town most folk
are
well aware who goes to which church and whether they are a "Holy
Willie" or
genuine believer.  There are times when I have suggested to folk "Why
don't
you talk that one over with your minister".  That's not ducking out. I
don't do appendicectomies in the health centre but I may lance an
abscess. 
 As with consultants, one may recommend a particular specialist or
organisation if there is no previous arrangement :-)  

A patient asking specific questions is one thing:  ramming one's ideas
down
the throat unasked is another.   I am aware how irritated some patients
of
a colleague (elsewhere) found that  (however appropriate the advice may
have been ! )

Meetings in NHS premises in lunchtimes or other non work times have a
long
history.  The Christian Medical Fellowhip and the Christian Nurses
Fellowship have many branches but are mainly hospital based.  Most
hospitals have a chaplain or two - many were originally religious
foundations and medical missionaries from Livingstone's time till today
are
well known and accepted expressions of church work.  Many of our
hospices
have a strong religious background.  There is a prayer meeting for
those
interested within many big firms and even parliament (no rude comments
Hotch;-) 

One of the main points is sensitivity.  Sometimes one can be in just
the
right place at just the right time to give an appropriate comment but
most
of the time one tries to be the best one can be as a person and let
God's
goodness show.   It apparently trickles through me at times but I am 
seldom aware of these times till someone says so later ;-)  It never
seems
to happen at 5.59 pm :-(

Many of us will have a picture of our family on the wall or desk and a
friend of mine has a quotation from Ambrose Parry "I bound the wound
but
God healed him"  (approx quote).  If you aren't keen on a room being
labelled by a cross  or a wall being pierced perhaps the individual
could
wear a badge or brooch with a christian theme. This would make it clear
that any views were personal and not institutional and would be less
formal
anyway.

As Katie pointed out some are called to be apostles/ disciples - all
are
called to be witnesses.   There is a rather wicked wayside pulpit which
says "If you were arrested for being a Christian would there be enough
evidence for a conviction?"    We are free to express religious beliefs
in
this country.  Behind Iron or Bamboo curtains this was not so and there
are
still countries where believers end up in jail for  religious beliefs
which
would be accepted without official condemnation in most other parts of
the
world 

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest ;-)

Tom






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________________________________________

Dr Ahmad Risk
http://mednetics.org
home: +44 1273 748198
work: +44 1737 240022
fax:  +44 1737 244660




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