WHAT IS HEALTHY SPIRITUALITY
In its most understandable form, spirituality is how we stay in connection and communication with God. By speaking of healthy spirituality, we recognize that there are unhealthy, even sick forms of spirituality. There are a variety of bizarre religious practices that may be attractive to individuals but do not provide healthy communication with the Divine. Sometimes religious rituals devolve into superstition, psychological manipulation, or forms of idolatry that are self-serving but ineffective in communicating with God.
BASIC ASSUMPTIONS
Healthy spirituality within the Christian faith builds on some underlying assumptions. (Many of these beliefs also are held by other faiths, especially the three major covenantal faiths of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.)
First, we believe that God exists, is the creator of all existence, and cares about creation.
Second, we believe that though God exists outside our physical creation, God is both aware and has intention and purpose for God’s creation. In Genesis 1:31, we read, “God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.” The word translated “good” carries with it the meaning of “capable of fulfilling the Divine intention.”
Third, we believe God not only cares about but is involved in a covenantal way in bringing the Divine intention to fruition.
Fourth, we believe that humans are capable of two-way communication with God. There is such a thing as a revelation—a word from outside our physical creation that communicates with humans within our time-bound physical universe. Also, we believe that through prayer and other religious acts, we can communicate with God in a way that is received. An example is an exchange between God and Moses in Exodus 3:7, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry.”
Fifth, for Christians, we believe that in Jesus, the Christ, we have seen in the flesh what God’s design is for the creation and how to be faithful to the God who has called us to participate in the fulfillment of God’s purpose in creation.
Sixth, we believe that within our time-framed material reality, the eternal God has chosen to call both communities and individuals to respond in a particular way to reveal God’s purpose. We believe that God called Abram and Sarai, Moses, and David. We also trust that Jesus, the incarnation of God, called to himself disciples and apostles. Further, we affirm that God calls individuals in our time to provide spiritual leadership to a church that itself is called to be a “light to the nations.”
CLERGY SPIRITUAL HEALTH
When we speak of the spiritual health of clergy, we are referring to a pastor’s connection and communication with God who has called the pastor to serve as a spiritual leader for a church or other intentionally religious community. How vital and intimate is that connection? What are the ways clergy can nurture and cultivate that relationship so that it continues to be vibrant and dynamic?
To speak of a healthy spirituality is not to suggest that we have developed a perfect insight into God’s will for the world. A healthy spirituality believes that God exists, cares, is involved, and calls us to a faithful response. It also trusts that our mistakes and misunderstandings do not defeat God. Therefore, we must continue to be open to God’s communication.
NOT EVERYTHING COMES UP ROSES
As Jesus demonstrated, even the most faithful person experiences pain and rejection by the world around them. Being challenged and suffering is a natural part of our journey. Like Jesus, clergy (and all who are called by God) will cry out, “why have you forsaken me?”
Being called does not include flawless insight. Jesus’ disciples frequently demonstrated resistance to the truth Jesus embodied and a misunderstanding and doubt as to the meaning of the faith and their call. Even as they doubted and misunderstood, they continued to strive to be faithful and were ready to be forgiven into greater truth and understanding.
A healthy spirituality not only rejoices in the joy of faithfulness but clings to God in times of darkness. The central truth of the cross is that even when evil has done its worst, God will not be defeated. Therefore, we are called by God to listen to God’s resurrecting truth again and again and to guide our people in finding the meaning and purpose of life in all that we experience, both good and bad.
CLERGY SPIRITUAL HEALTH (volume 8)
Clergy Spiritual Health seeks to offer you both insights and practices that will enable you to remain healthy as you attempt to stay faithful in a stressful vocation within a confusing and often paradoxical world.
Clergy Spiritual Health, volume 8 of Healthy Clergy Make Healthy Congregations. All nine volumes are available at this website. They would make an excellent gift to a clergy person that you want to support.
