If you have ever been through a job interview you have probably been asked: “What is your greatest strength?”

But then the follow-up question, too: “How is this greatest strength your greatest weakness?” Ouch.

That followup is always hard to answer. And sadly, this is often the case with church too. For instance: Why is it that church communities that are strong in orthodoxy (healthy doctrine) are often weak in orthopathy (healthy emotional life)? 

One theologian suggests it has to do with three histories: 

1. Greek history (which distrusted emotions)
2. Gnostic history (which devalued the body)
3. Our unique church history (which intellectually defended the Christian intellect)

Head and heart

At Hope, we are all about the life of the mind. We don’t want you to check your mind at the door. But neither do we want you to check your heart at the door. We want both. And we believe that both are not only possible, but essential.

This is why one of our six values is what Peter Scazerro calls “the formation of emotionally healthy spirituality.” We want to follow Jesus with our whole self; with our head and our heart. We would love to explore this surprising vision of discipleship with you.

We’ll unpack this together more in the weeks and months ahead. For now, here are four free resources to help in your formation of emotionally healthy spirituality. 

4 free, digital resources:

1. What does our body and our emotions have to do with maturity in Christ?

Licensed clinical counselors Amanda Hullinger and Bernadette McNamara, gather with spiritual formation guide, Elisabeth Badenhop, to discuss holistic Christian maturity (the integration of head, heart, and habits).

2. Why is head knowledge (knowing facts) about God not enough?

Why is experience with God necessary for holistic Christian maturity? What are some helpful habits (or invitations) to experience the goodness of God? This is Part 2 of our conversation with Amanda Hullinger, Bernadette McNamara, and Elisabeth Badenhop on holistic Christian maturity.

3. What does it mean to be mature?

Is it just thinking correct thoughts? Or is there more to being mature in Christ?

4. What place does habit have in the Christian life?

Why do we think that paying attention to our habits is a very important part of holistic Christian maturity? 

Remember: With God, Hope is more than just wishful thinking

We hope you experience a surprising encounter with Hope in these free resources. We invite you to gather with us every Sunday morning at 10:00am, and throughout the week at our home groups as we imperfectly extend the perfect welcome of Jesus to you.