Established in 1993 at the formation of BJC HealthCare, the Spiritual Care Council's vision is to provide a coordinated system of premier services for direct spiritual care in hospitals and other clinical settings while also offering professional and community consultation and outreach activities for faith communities. The system supports a clinical pastoral educator who works with faith communities to develop needed programs and services. As part of its outreach efforts, the Spiritual Care Council pioneered two community projects:

• Partners for Health -- Hospitals are paired with area churches with the goal of improving health and wholeness for mind, body and spirit. BJC HealthCare offers educational workshops for clergy and other spiritual caregivers and works to develop health programs that integrate into a healing ministry.
• Parish Nursing -- This program organizes registered professional nurses to provide holistic nursing services to members of a congregation by addressing their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. The program, currently under way in the St. Louis region, is expected to spread to other BJC HealthCare communities.