Salt & Light
Who you are is more important than what you do. Your nursing practice is important to you, your patients, and to God, but it does not define you. What defines you is the fact that you are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and loved by him (1 John 4:10). As a beloved child of God, you have an opportunity to serve him and care for others, to be salt and light through your nursing practice. This isn't easy. Nursing is hard work.
Where do you find support that helps your nursing practice and faith? Nurses Christian Fellowship provides a professional group of Christian nurses who value personal spiritual development and compassionate, whole-person care.
If you are a JCN subscriber through Lippincott Williams & Wilkins but not an NCF member, consider joining the NCF professional organization when your subscription is due for renewal. NCF publishes JCN, and your subscription is part of your member benefits when you join NCF. Learn more about NCF membership and other great benefits at http://www.ncf-jcn.org/membership.
Benefits of NCF Membership
Nurses Christian Fellowship is committed to helping you stay clinically up-to-date. Members receive a 20% discount on books from Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, selected just for NCF. Get special member prices on LWW's popular Nursing2017 Drug Handbook, Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests 9th Ed., or all 20 books in the Nursing Made Incredibly Easy series. Explore the entire LWW collection-with books for students, nurses, educators, specialty practice areas-and take advantage of your member benefits at http://www.ncf-jcn.org/members-only.
As a member of Nurses Christian Fellowship, you are a part of a large network of Christian nurses devoted to serving God in healthcare. By promoting a biblical worldview and holistic spiritual care, NCF membership fortifies your individual practice and the nursing profession as a whole.
Members also receive significant CE discounts covering many nursing specialties, as well as discounts on books from LWW and InterVarsity Press. For member benefits, go to http://www.ncf-jcn.org/members-only.
NCF is the publisher of the Journal of Christian Nursing, so keep JCN coming to your home by renewing your membership when you receive a renewal notice from NCF.
Intersections
Did you know that Nurses Christian Fellowship/USA is part of a global network of Christian nurses?
Nurses Christian Fellowship International (NCFI) connects Christian nurses around the world by encouraging and equipping them to live out their faith in professional nursing practice.
"We want to assist Christian nurses to integrate biblical principles and Christ-centered values within clinical practice, leadership, education and research," said Tove Giske, the new NCFI president. Tove is a professor of nursing in Bergen, Norway.
Serving on the NCFI Board from the USA are Carrie Dameron, Amy Rex Smith, Linda Rieg, and Kamalini Kumar. They are all regular contributors to JCN.
In June 2016, 300 nurse leaders from 35 countries gathered in the Philippines for the 2016 NCFI World Congress. The theme focused on Healthy Lives in a Broken World: A Christian Nursing Response.
Together these nurses explored their personal and professional responsibilities-and limitations-of serving others and living out the gospel as healthy, holy, and joyful people.
The NCFI community promotes friendship, collaboration, and connection. The next NCFI World Congress will be held in Denver, Colorado, in 2020. Find out more about NCFI at http://www.ncfi.org.
JCN Problems?
NCF members who need help with their JCN print subscription or online account should contact LWW Member Services at 866-489-0443 or mailto:[email protected]
On Campus
In nursing school, Colleen began asking, What is Christianity? She got involved in a Bible study with Nurses Christian Fellowship on her campus. Colleen was on a quest to find answers-and help.
Eventually, it became clear to Colleen that she wasn't living life in a way that was healthy or pleased God. "I needed to make the hard decision to put Jesus first, and I needed to give up an intimate relationship," Colleen admitted. "It was the first time I understood that Christianity is about Christ-the real person of Jesus!" Though painful to give up some things, Colleen knew it was the best decision she ever made.
Another school year is underway for thousands of nursing students. Like Colleen, many are seeking answers for the longing in their hearts to know God. Last year, more than 1,500 nursing students actively pursued spiritual development through NCF ministry. At least 20 students decided to place their faith in Christ.
"We're praying for more NCF groups to provide a community where nursing students can explore what the Bible has to say about following Jesus in nursing and offer his love to classmates and faculty," said Bonnie Hann, NCF Campus Liaison. "We see God working in amazing ways; it's an exciting time in student ministry!"
Find out more about what NCF offers nursing students at http://www.ncf-jcn.org.
From the Director...
I started wearing two hats when I became the national director for Nurses Christian Fellowship in July. I consider this a deep honor and privilege. I've been the editor of Journal of Christian Nursing since 2004 and will stay involved in publishing as JCN editor-in-chief.
I've been thinking a lot about where I will find the wisdom and strength to lead NCF, asking God for insight (and help me not doubt that he will give it! James 1:5-8). I've begun to actively resonate with the words of Psalm 119. Verses like these jump out at me: "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me" (vs. 18-19, NIV). God's law in its entirety is his revelation of himself to his people; his law in its various forms (i.e., commands, statutes, decrees, precepts) provides instruction for life. If I lack strength, his law revives me; if I am discouraged, his precepts give joy to my heart (Psalm 19:7-11).
Psalm 119 reveals how God's Word can lead me: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path" (vs. 105). Once, I was walking in the woods on a dark night and discovered new meaning in this verse, as a flashlight helped me know where to place my foot for the next step, as well as revealed the path ahead. How amazing that God wants to illuminate each step along the way, while revealing how to enact his long-term vision for NCF! I declare with the psalmist: "I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free" (Psalm 119:30-32, NIV).
I pray that you, too, let God's law, as revealed in his Word, guide your life and set your heart free. I am excited for the future God has for NCF!
Find free downloadable Bible studies on nursing at http://www.ncf-jcn.org/resources/bible-study-materials.