Church as Healer

My book in process is called The Betrayal of Love and Wisdom. It could also be called the betrayal of Jesu and the Holy Spirit, One betrayal of love is the betrayal of the healing ministry He charged his disciples with. We focus on Jesus’ physical healings but Jesu was the pattern of the “cure of souls” in spiritual guidance, which seeks to release our bondage and baggage – which goes far beyond preaching and even prayer. The Church is here, I believe, to “set the captives free.”

Yet how many are in bondage, even daily to bouts of fear, anger, jealousy, loneliness and even the numbness of indifference. The most common psychological problem is fear and it lies at the heart of many others. Perfect love may cast out fear but love often requires action in the form of therapeutic intervention. Without such intervention, our love is held in bondage and despite good works of charity en mass, Christians are seen as hypocrites in their daily lives.

To appeal to the baser motives of the church - which is the desire to grow and be prosperous; note that the largest selling category of non-fiction books is the self-help market. Yet do some ministers look in horror that many turn to yoga or other eastern meditation and healing arts for relief they did not find in the church, Some ministers supposing this to be the betrayal of the Gospels. They remind me of the Christian Scientist that would let their child die rather than get medicine from a doctor.

Shouldn’t it be obvious then that the flock is not being tended? A church that counts among its members, those cured of PTSD and a growing list of diagnostic labels are likely to be faithful members - and generous. I can not fathom how a minister can relegate healing to non spiritually based professional disciplines with mediocre track records, or on the other hand, leave it to the miraculous power of prayer, which too often is just passing the buck.

In light of the above I do understand how the mere mention of Christianity for many of my friends is a laughing matter. That ministers may be uncomfortable with this new role of the church I have no doubt. That Jesu could want this I also have no doubt. I cry His tears when I take communion and remember His love.

I have spent the last year prayerfully trying to seed this vision in my own church. If I fail, I fear only that it will be a failure for all of us. And if my single voice is silenced now by apathy and tradition, I trust the Holy Spirit is already preparing other voices to follow. As my vision is an interfaith ministry, perhaps a grander vision is in order, of an interfaith free soul clinic. This might wake up the church, to do the right thing.

© Arjay, 2009, All rights reserved.