Mennonite Health Journal

Mennonite Health Journal, Vol. 15, No. 1, January 2013

Paul D. Leichty

from Mennonite Health Journal, Vol. 15, No. 1, January 2013

Welcome to the 15^th year of Mennonite Health Journal! It has been one year now since MHJ was transformed from a print publication from Mennonite Medical Association (MMA) and Mennonite Nurses Association (MNA) into an online periodical published by Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship (MHF).  During the transformation process, MHF has been pleased to offer the Journal via email at no cost to all who were on the previous mailing list and provided an email address.  During the year, you will continue to see additional transformations of MHJ.

We are particularly pleased that Mennonite Health Journal also serves Mennonite Chaplains Association (MCA) and International Mennonite Health Association (IMHA).  In this issue, representatives from those two groups add their thoughts to a rich discussion around the general theme of morality and spirituality.

Paul Leichty, MHJ editor and MHF Executive Director, begins by reflecting on the thread of spiritual themes throughout this issue in anticipation of the MHF Annual Gathering, June 21-23, 2013 in Goshen, Indiana, where we will discuss “Moral Dilemmas in Healthcare.”

In our lead article, Glen Miller reviews the 2012 book by Willard M. Swartley entitled, Health, Healing, and the Church’s Mission: Biblical Perspectives and Moral Priorities.  Swartley, retired Dean of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS), makes a significant Christian contribution to the dialogue in the United States regarding healthcare access. 

Joe Longacher, MHF Board President, asks questions about the significance and impact of our moral stance as healthcare workers. He takes particular note of how the decision of conscientious objectors in World War II to treat mentally ill patients with dignity and respect fueled a major reform in mental healthcare in the United States. 

Murray Nickel, President of IMHA, reflects on the spiritual aspects surrounding desperate physical need in developing countries.  What does it mean to offer humanitarian aid in the name of Christ and at the same time expect God to work a miracle?  

Jim Leaman, Secretary of Mennonite Chaplains Association (MCA), wraps up this issue  by encouraging us to see our work as ministry to Christ himself.  

PDF Copy of Journal: MHJ 2013-01

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About the author

Paul D. Leichty, M.Div. was the first Executive Director of Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship (MHF), serving from Sept. 2011 through May 2020.  Paul has served as a pastor, church musician, computer support person, disabilities advocate, and administrator/organizer of a number of church-related ministries. In addition to responsibilities at MHF, Paul is Executive Director of Congregational Accessibility Network and was formerly Director of User Services at Mennonite.net.  He is a member of Agape Fellowship of the Mennonite Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania where he lives with his wife, Twila Charles Leichty.