2ND DRAFT COLUMBIA CHAPTER

CHRISTIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA

OUR MISSION

TO CHANGE HEARTS IN HEALTHCARE

THIS MISSION WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS

  1. Integrate physicians/dentists into a fellowship of Christian doctors where they will be equipped to live out their faith in their homes and practices, be strengthened in their walk with Christ, and impact their profession for Christ
  2. Reach, train, and mentor USC premedical and medical students and residents to be Christian doctors and dentists and enable them to share their faith with their patients, staff, and colleagues.
  3. Provide a biblically sound Christian voice to Columbia and the Carolinas on bioethical issues and healthcare
  4. Care for the medical needs of the poor and disadvantaged in Columbia and in ThirdWorld countries.

OUR HISTORY

STUDENT MINISTRY

Dr. JIM AUGUSTINE

The Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA) was founded in 1931 by a group of medical students as a vehicle for fellowship, Bible study and prayer with other like-minded Christian medical students. Today CMDA has a membership of about 18,000 physicians and dentists. CMDA sponsors student chapters at two-thirds of the nation's medical and dental school campuses. On these campuses, CMDA provides discipleship and outreach programs and assists students in integrating Christian principles with professional practice. For many years there was an informal Christian medical fellowship on campus at the USC School of Medicine. Some seven or eight years ago that informal group began the process of formalizing its relationship with CMDA. The USC Student chapter was officially established in 1996 with Dr. Jim Augustine as the Faculty Advisor. Our goal wastwo fold: (1) to encourage those students who are already Christians to grow in their faith and (2) secondly to share the good news about Jesus Christ with those students who don’t have a personal relationship with Him.

The CMA student chapter at USC offers weekly opportunities for Christian fellowship and spiritual growth. They meet every Tuesday during the lunch hour. They have fellowship, praise music and invite speakers to come and discuss issues pertinent to medical students. It's a great break during a sometimes hectic schedule for the MI and MII students! CMA at USC also offers weekly Bible studies for men and women. The women study has been led in the past by Dr. Jenny Walsh, a female family practice physician in Columbia who is married to a physician; they have 4 small children. Dr. Jim Augustine led the men’s Bible study. Currenlty Neal Burkhalter leads a bible study. CMA at USC also has a missions emphasis – encouraging short term trips that will hopefully have a long-term impact on the lives of the CMA students. DR. Burkhalter has had the privilege to going to Haiti with our medical students.

Each year CMA undertakes a service project. One year’s project was working with the children at Epworth Children’s Home. Epworth is a ministry of the Methodist people of South Carolina who seek to serve their Lord and Master by providing, in a Christian manner child care, counseling and related services to families and children of the State of South Carolina. CMA at USC goes Christmas caroling at the VA hospital each year, sponsors Operation Christmas Child for the faculty, staff and students; hosts cookouts each month for the CMA students and serves breakfast to the first year students before their first big practical exams in the first semester. From time to time CMA at USC will have a high profile outside speaker as a means of reaching out to the non Christian faculty, staff, and students. In year’s past there has been a Christian Medical Oath Ceremony held at the end of April at Greenlawn Baptist Church. 22 medical students publicly professed their intent to practice medicine for the glory of God.

GRADUATE MINISTRY

A loose organization of Christian doctors/dentists organized in 1996 with a vision of encouraging Christian physicians in their walk and drawing other physicians to Christ. Three events were organized in 1996-2000. An evangelical breakfast featuring John Guest, with approximately 600 people, was held in the late winter of 1996. There were a number of conversions, a renewed emphasis on missions, and an outgrowth of three Bible studies at neighboring hospitals. Recently the studies have waned. The Lexington study will restart in January and we earnestly desire to restart a bible study at Palmetto Richland but we need two physicians to step forward to sponsor the study.

A Christian medical ethics conference was held at First Presbyterian Church in 1997. Critical ethics issues including the beginning of life, the end of life, and managed care were discussed by a panel of regional and national speakers including Dr. Nigel Cameron of Trinity Seminary and the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity, Dr. C. Scott Rae, Biola University; Dr. Sandy Stradtman, Dr. Mark Ross, Dr. Earle Lingle, Dr. Steve Suits, Ken Wingate JD, and others.

A third evangelical breakfast was held in 2000 when John Guest returned to Columbia.

Large numbers of physicians/dentists have worked in area free clinics, been involved in short term missions, and witnessing to colleagues and patients in their practices.

The time has come for a more organized ministry. We have tried to answer the following questions.

  1. Why have the CMA in Columbia, S.C.?
  2. What are the needs of our colleagues and students in our area?
  3. What is our responsibility as Christian doctors/dentists?
  4. What does God want us to do?

A specific plan for ministry. We have tried to answer the following specific questions regarding a plan for ministry

  1. What do we want to accomplish?
  2. Do we want to hire a full-time or part-time person?
  3. If full time, who should be the person – the search process
  4. What should the budget be?
  5. How to fund the budget?
  6. Time table?

Specifically, this vision is worked out in the following practical aspects of ministry.

  1. Discipleship of area physicians/dentists is considered a very high priority. This would be one of the primary tasks of the area director. The area director would prayerfully consider who God would be leading him to disciple. The AD (area director) must be gifted in this area and a proportionate amount of his time should be devoted to this important aspect of Christian growth.Ideally the local council members should also have accountability partners to deepen their faith. Perry Bowers of Focused Living is a great resource in this area.
  1. Weekly Bible studies on both sides of the river. Ideally the AD would organize, perhaps teach, and encourage the physicians/dentists who attend the weekly Bible studies. Strategically these studies are located at LexingtonCountyHospital and RichlandMemorialHospital. Later as the need arose, additional studies could be added at Baptist and Providence Hospitals and Parkridge. The studies should be held around 6:30 AM to allow maximum schedule flexibility for area doctors.Retired doctors could be a great resource for the studies at Baptist and ProvidenceHospitals.
  1. Annual Spring Banquet with Speaker. Each year the local council would be responsible for organizing an evangelical breakfast or dinner, with oversight from the area director. The purpose of this outreach would be to encourage those in the health care profession who are already following Christ and to draw unbelievers or nominal believers to Christ. The “net” should be broad and outreach should occur to all areas of the Health profession including physicians, dentists, nurses, administrators, practice managers, PT’s, PA’s, NP’s, insurance specialists, managed care leaders, legislators with an interest in health care, Governor, etc. The speaker should present the Gospel with power, relevance, and conviction. Follow up is important to help grow those with a first time commitment as well as those with a renewed commitment. The Bible studies should be in place prior to the evangelical outreach.
  1. Yearly ethics conference. The truth of God’s word as it applies to the ethics of health care is critical in this post modern era. This conference could be organized with local, regional, or national leaders in Christian medical ethics. There is considerable local talent that could be drawn on for this conference. Regional and national experts have been available in the past and could be expected to contribute in the future. The CMDAhas a strong emphasis in this area including its president Dr. David Stevens, position papers such as “The Standards of Life Issues” (which can be found on the national web site), as well as an Ethics Commission and an Ethics Hotline. The conference could be held in the fall so as not to conflict with the Springevangelical outreach. The Local Council would be responsible for organizing this outreach with oversight from the area director. It could be prudent to defer the ethics conference in the first year of ministry.
  1. Missions. CMDA provides more than 40 mission trips to all areas of the world on a yearly basis. Local area churches also sponsor mission trips. Short term missions are such a vital and formative experience that all physicians/dentists should be encouraged to participate in this aspect of ministry at some point in their life as the Holy Spirit provides the opportunity. There is considerable local experience in missions in Columbia.
  1. Monthly or bi-monthly or weekly email newsletter from the Area Director with updates on ministry opportunities in Columbia, mission trips, bible studies, general prayer requests, and updates on annual event planning.
  1. Quarterly fellowship opportunities to be held at local recreation sites or members homes to encourage Christian doctors/dentists and to be used as a vehicle for outreach. These fellowship gatherings are to be organized by the local Area Director.
  1. Support theCMDA Student Outreach as overseen by Dr. Bruce Esterling , and the discipleship program overseen by Dr. Neal Burkhalter. To come along side the current highly effective student ministry with prayer support, individuals willing to host monthly student gatherings, speakers, and financial support. Encourage greater cooperation between graduate doctors and students realizing that we can encourage them and they can encourage us.
  1. Local Council of 15-20 Christian physicians/dentists to meet every other monthl to oversee ministry. The Local Council should be composed of mature Christians with a vision, commitment, and a calling to this ministry. They should be willing to underwrite this ministry with their time, talents, and treasure.Ideally the local council members should also have accountability partners to deepen their faith, and be members of CMDA
  1. Expand the current infant graduate web site to its own web page address with easy access for updates from the local Area Director’s office. The web site would be the responsibility of the Area Director with appropriate expertise from those knowledgeable about information technology. There are actually 2 current web sites. The local student chapter has a web site at A local graduate web site exists at
  1. Partner with students, area churches, current health care organizations in health care outreach to surrounding impoverished areas in Columbia.
  1. Encourage membership in the National CMDA organization and attendance by a few at the national meeting of the Christian Medical and Dental Associations.
  1. Promote Healthy marriages with discipleship, accountability, local church and CMA sponsored marriage conferences.

Critical underpinnings of this ministry.

STAFF

1. Formation of a Local Council. A Local Council of 10-15 physicians and dental professionals who are mature in the faith, have a vision, and are called to this type of ministry is needed. These individuals should be willing to commit their time, talents, and treasures to this ministry as the Lord allows. Regular attendance at greater than 50% of the monthly meetings is encouraged. A mechanism to refresh the Local Council is needed. Perhaps one third of the local council would be replaced every 3 years on a voluntary basis

MEMBERSHIP COMMITMENTS FOR CMDA LOCAL COUNCIL

Christian Medical & Dental Associations

Local ministries are at the heart of what CMDA does. No one understands better the needs of local doctors than their local colleagues. But, even with that knowledge, the medical and dental communities can be difficult ones in which to minister. It takes a serious commitment to have an effective ministry.

For this reason, it is important that CMDA local council members recognize the level of commitment necessary to serve on the local council.

A commitment to Jesus Christ. Above all, CMDA is a Christian organization. Therefore, it is imperative that all local council members accept the CMDA Statement of Faith and have personally experienced the redemptive power of Jesus Christ.

A commitment to CMDA. While not all local council members may be members of CMDA, it is important that all members are in agreement with the goals of the organization. Local ministries are an extension of the organization as a whole and the two must work together as one.

A commitment to the local ministry. The local council exists because someone had a vision for ministry in the local medical/dental community. Those who join the local council must do so because their heart resonates with that vision. Local council membership is a commitment of time, talent, and treasure.

  • Time. For most people, especially doctors, time is precious. Few doctors are looking for more meetings to attend. While it may not be possible to attend all meetings of the local council, it is important to recognize the serious time commitment involved in membership.
  • Talent. Everyone has certain talents to be used in the Kingdom of God. Whatever particular talent God has given you should be exercised faithfully on the local council leadership team.
  • Treasure. Local ministries cannot function without the faithful financial support of the medical/dental community. In addition to encouraging others to support this ministry financially, it is expected that all members of the local council will participate in its financial support. Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).

If you are willing to make these commitments in order to serve on the ______

Local Council, please sign below.

______

Date Signature

2Hiring of a full time Local Area Director. Local Chapters differ in how this is carried out. Perhaps an ideal team would consist of a full time M. Div. staff person with the gifts needed to carry out the ministry plan described above. He would be surrounded by a ministry team of 4 or 5 active/retired physicians/dental professionals. This AD should sense the call of God to this ministry at this time. Ideally he would already have a level of trust among physicians because of established relationships. This would enhance access to physicians. Access would be enhanced through the ministry team approach. Early morning Bible studies lead naturally to breakfast gathering in the Doctor’s lounge. Luncheon meetings with doctors in the physicians lounge at area hospitals will increase visibility of this ministry and enhance access. A retired MD with teaching ability, a heart for this type of ministry, and a specific call could also be effective.

AREA DIRECTOR PROFILE

Christian Medical & Dental Associations

PERSPECTIVE

The Christian Medical & Dental Associations have been entrusted with the unparalleled opportunity to influence the healthcare market place for the cause of Christ. We believe God has positioned CMDA to respond to our culture by seeking to develop physicians and dentists who are committed to living out their faith in Christ through the crucible of patient care, bioethics, and technology.

CMDA began as a student movement in 1931 on the campus of NorthwesternUniversityMedicalSchool in Chicago, Illinois. As an international fellowship of Christian students and doctors, CMDA now has over 14,000 members whose desire is to glorify Christ in the professional arenas of medicine and dentistry.

As a lay movement, CMDA is led by a Board of Trustees who employ an executive director and a variety of professional and secretarial staff to carry out the ministry initiatives of the Associations. Our purpose is to help doctors practice their faith in Jesus Christ, both personally and professionally. This is not only our heritage, but it is our mandate for the future.

POSITION OVERVIEW

An area director is responsible to create initiatives which will encourage the spiritual development of medical and dental students, residents, and doctors in a city or limited area. This task is primarily accomplished through discipleship and evangelistic ministry among the medical and dental community at large and specifically among students, residents, graduate leaders, and campus advisors. The area director position will be funded by support raised through the efforts of a local council, regional director, and area director.

The area director’s responsibilities are to: