Healing Ministry, As Then, So Now
The Order of St Luke believes that Jesus heals today. In that sense Jesus' proclamation. "My Father is working, and I am working still," is timeless. The ways in which this healing takes place vary. Prayer is basic, and Jesus and the early Christians also practised laying on of hands with prayer. The early church developed the ministry of anointing with blessed oil in accord with Jesus' calling of the disciples in Mark 6:13.

The Order of St Luke affirms that the medical profession is one of the ways God uses to bring healing to the sick and those with disabilities, and supports this with prayer.

The Order Of St Luke
The Order of St Luke the Physician exists to encourage the Church in this ministry begun by Jesus, and to equip and train those who feel called to exercise this as an aspect of their Christian life.

The Order had its beginning in 1932 as the Fellowship of St Luke. At that time, the Reverend John Gayner Banks was the rector of St Luke's Church in San Diego. For many years he and his wife Ethel Tulloch Banks met with a group every Monday for prayer. They believed in the power of Jesus Christ to heal and save. They shared that belief with others through a newsletter that later became Sharing Magazine as well as through teachings and missions.

The Order itself was founded in 1947 by the Rev John Gayner Banks, and in 1953 the Fellowship of St Luke was incorporated as the Order of St Luke the Physician under California Law. It is now an international movement, active in many countries, and is continuing to grow. It is open to people from different Christian churches who believe that the Scriptures set forth healing as a continuing and essential part of the ministry committed to the Church by Jesus Christ.

In 1954 the first known member in New Zealand of OSL International was Rev Cecil Marshall, at that time curate of Feilding. Two years later when vicar of Durie Hill parish in Wanganui he shared John Gayner Banks book "Healing Everwhere" with Chris Lethbridge, patient in Wanganui Hospital. In 1959 Chris became parish assistant to Rev David Thorpe at St John's Church, Latimer Square, Christchurch and shared his knowledge with David. This led in 1960 to David being appointed by Dr Alfred Price, Warden of OSL International, as chaplain for New Zealand, part of OSL Australasia.

In 1962 at a CFO Camp at Marton 5 clergy were inducted into membership by Rev Len Harris, of OSL Australasia, who had followed David Thorpe as Chaplain for New Zealand. A week later in Auckland four more were inducted. On his next visit in 1964 Len Harris admitted the first lay members. Later in that same year Rev Edward Winkley, an Associate Warden of the Order conducted missions in 26 centres in New Zealand during which he inducted Laurie Mulcock, founder of Wholeness, and Mrs Kathleen Cole (later to become the first Secretary-Treasurer in New Zealand) in Stratford; and in Christchurch following a week's mission at St John's Church, he established the first New Zealand Chapter with David Thorpe as its Chaplain.

In 1965 Rev Jim Chambers, who had been exercising a healing ministry since 1958, was conducting healing missions in Australia and while there attended the OSL Australasian Council where he was appointed Senior Chaplain for New Zealand. By 1971 thirteen chapters had been formed with over two hundred members throughout New Zealand and plans were made for the Order in New Zealand to become autonomous in 1972 at the New Zealand Conference and Jim Chambers became the first New Zealand Warden.

The Order Of St Luke In New Zealand
The Order exists in groups, called Chapters, comprising seven or more members. Where there is no Chapter people can become Postal Members. Both link with national officers of the Executive of OSL. In the Chapter the principal ministries are of Chaplain (ordained or lay), the Convenor and Secretary (Treasurer). Meetings are usually held monthly.
In seeking to support the Ministry of Healing as part of the mainstream of church life, the Order encourages prayer ministry opportunities in regular worship services, or public healing services.