02-10-24

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
February 10, 2024
I was moved by a story in the magazine Christian Century entitled “Teaching ministry students to ask beautiful questions” by Mary Clark Moschella (February 2024). The article was specifically speaking to an idea called Narrative Spiritual Care. The premise of this approach is that we, as human beings, are shaped by the stories we tell about ourselves and each other. She writes, “Often we hear and absorb destructive hegemonic narratives, social and cultural stories that limit and hurt us. The narrative approach to care empowers people to resist harmful discourses, to deconstruct them, and to listen instead to voices that speak wisdom and truth.” The church is one of the places, when it is at its best, that can provide a safe space for these open and needed conversations. Psalm 78:4 says, “…tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord.” Among the glorious deeds of God, at least from my perspective, are the many ways in which God says to every human being, “You are my beloved child, and let no other message define who you are.” It is good to be in a community that speaks those words and reinforces that story for every single person.

For every person who continues to struggle internally with an unhealthy story, O Merciful God, I pray to be an agent of your affirming and grace-filled message made real in the life of Jesus. Amen.