As I am studying in a healthcare setting to become a chaplain we are presented with the issue of differentiating spiritual care and religion. Spiritual care is considered to be part of Whole Health Care; which focuses on taking care of the physical body the mental and emotional state and the spiritual self to provide quality of life not just physical health. As such spiritual care has some scientific validity and bases for its benefits in providing quality of life. The spiritual care aspect of this revolves around the idea of where we find hope in tough situations and what tools we use to maintain hope and joy in our daily lives. Three key aspects of this are connection to a higher power, close interpersonal relationships, and life-giving practices. One’s connection to and use of these three aspects gives an individual resiliency and increases their quality of life.
Religion is much more easily defined as something like this: "relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity." These activities that are set within and that validate a theological framework provide spiritual well being. Religion provides a way of understanding our higher power through what are meant to be life-giving practices. Christianity also offers community in the Church. In fact a lot of our spiritual practices are done in a setting where we join together with others, building relationships. As a local church, we can re-examine our role in light of what the secular world is saying that a healthy human being needs. We provide connection to a higher power, close interpersonal relationships, and life giving practices. As we are looking to inreach, outreach, discipleship and evangelism, (that whole making disciples of all nations thing) we should ask:
- How can we provide "quality of life" to others, so that they come to experience the new life we have in Christ?
- As a Christian how do you help others connect to a higher power?
- As a Christian how do you help others find close interpersonal relationships?
- As a Christians what are our life-giving practices that we can invite others into?
Coming Up At Mount Carmel
Missions Focus for Month of June:
Just wanted to let you know that there is a video above this text. In talking with a lot of people last week they missed the World Missions Broadcast (WMB) video. Feel free to take a few minutes (3:19 this week) and watch the video. In terms of this announcement, this week I wanted to focus on stats. I know some people like to know “statistical” information for WMB. Here are just a few statistics for us to reflect on the reality of reach that a few of WMB programs have:
- Against the Flow (ATF) is a radio program in Manila, Philippines, and has a listening audience of 15-million people. To produce and air one-minute of ATF it costs $2.19. Yes, you read that right…$2.19 for one-minute of airtime in which 15 million people could hear the gospel.
- From Kenya, Meseret Mengesha says, “Many people say they are encouraged by the messages we put on the air.” Just one of WMB’s programs in Kenya broadcasts the Gospel in six languages, reaching more than 24,000 listeners, most of them unbelievers.
- In South Africa, one-third of Johannesburg’s 4.3 million population lives in urban Soweto, a community of stark demographic differences. Streaming into the diverse area is a Nazarene radio program called Children for Jesus. On the program, a Nazarene pastor tells the children of Soweto about Christ.
Father’s Day Celebration:
This Sunday, June 17 we’ll be celebrating the Father figures in our church with a decadent cinnamon roll bar right after Sunday School. Join us!
Wednesday Food Sign up:
So let's talk about food and Bible Study, we would love for you to join us on Wednesday for dinner and Bible study. If you enjoy our time together please also consider inviting your friends. The more we have the merrier it will be. To make sure we have everything we need, here is the link for this week Wednesday, June 13th.
Wednesday Night Small Groups:
We are pleased to be offering both a Bible Study group and a topical small group. Please invite your friends to a fun night of food and study. Here is a list of what is available:
July 29th– August 2nd, $325. High School students save the date for our Senior High Camp. We would love to see you and your friends be able to go. For more information and registration, see Chelsea or you can go to our district website: socalnaz.org
Fall Festival Planning Meeting:
Wednesday, July 18. Save this date for our Fall Festival planning meeting. We want to make sure that we have all hands on deck for these outreach and discipleship events so please come and be a part of the planning meeting.
Offering:
This Sunday, June 17 we’ll be celebrating the Father figures in our church with a decadent cinnamon roll bar right after Sunday School. Join us!
Wednesday Food Sign up:
So let's talk about food and Bible Study, we would love for you to join us on Wednesday for dinner and Bible study. If you enjoy our time together please also consider inviting your friends. The more we have the merrier it will be. To make sure we have everything we need, here is the link for this week Wednesday, June 13th.
Wednesday Night Small Groups:
We are pleased to be offering both a Bible Study group and a topical small group. Please invite your friends to a fun night of food and study. Here is a list of what is available:
- Medieval Times: Ages 0-12, Led by Pastor Jeremy. Invite the little lords and ladies that you know, so they can enjoy learning about the Armor of God!
- Jesus is Greater: Ages 13+, Led by Pastor Brian. We’ll be studying what the book of Hebrews says about Jesus.
- Spiritual Disciplines: Ages 13+, Led by Pastor Chelsea. Chelsea will be leading a small group to explore and experience spiritual disciplines.
July 29th– August 2nd, $325. High School students save the date for our Senior High Camp. We would love to see you and your friends be able to go. For more information and registration, see Chelsea or you can go to our district website: socalnaz.org
Fall Festival Planning Meeting:
Wednesday, July 18. Save this date for our Fall Festival planning meeting. We want to make sure that we have all hands on deck for these outreach and discipleship events so please come and be a part of the planning meeting.
Offering:
- To all those who give during out service or online, THANK YOU!!! The money you give goes to helping our community and the global church. If you missed giving this week, just visit our giving page here and give online.
- We also are set up to receive Faith Promise through our online giving here just make sure that you select Faith Promise instead of general offering.
- Tithing is a discipline that will strengthen your faith and the church cannot function properly without your support. If you consider Mount Carmel your church home, please pray about being obedient to the Lord in this way.
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