Spiritual Formation as it relates to family Health.

Spiritual formation ( spiritual Health)-Definition and Process

Oneness with God. Disciplines towards intimacy with God - a

means and a fruit. Spiritual health Is manifested in:

Knowing the reality of God: Psalms 27: 1; 121: 1 Longing to be in God’s presence.

Spiritual formation (Family Health)-Definition and Process

Unhealthy - broken family: Structure- less family: - no values, morals,

beliefs that hold the family members accountable.

No clear subsystems Competitiveness Triangulation - anxiety laden system.

Implications for spiritual formation & family healthA) Spiritual formation & family health

are intricately inter-related. Main objective of Pastoral counseling is to

reconnect people with God - D. Benner. family health must be viewed in the five

main areas of humanity: Spiritual, relational, psychological, emotional and physical.

Implications for spiritual formation & family healthPastoral Care - “refers, in a broad

and inclusive way, to all pastoral work concerned with the support and nurturance of persons and interpersonal relationships including everyday expressions of care and concerns that may occur in the midst of various pastoral activities and relations.” DPCC p.845

Implications for spiritual formation & family healthPastoral Counseling - Refers to “caring

ministries that are: more structured and focused specifically articulated need and concern. degree of contract in which a request for help is

articulated specific arrangements are agreed upon

concerning time and place of meeting; in extended counseling a fee may also be agreed

upon …” p.845 Pastoral counselor operates from a

theological stand point/base.- Dialogue with the faith tradition. DPCC. p.850

Implications for spiritual formation & family healthPeople come to Pastoral counseling

due to individual or family brokenness- meaning one or more of the five areas are hurting.

Yet each of these areas is related to another

Implications for spiritual formation & family health (cont’d)B) strong assumption that manifestation

of family brokenness implies disintegrating spiritual health.

Practical measures towards Spiritual formation & family HealthPrinciple of inner circleEngage spiritual disciplines as an

open means.Acknowledge that we are fallible

human beings. “ Give way but do not give up”

Pastoral role in helping congregations towards family Health through spiritual formation

Live the examplePremise all your pastoral care and

counseling on reconnecting people to God.

You are an instrument of God, not the healer.