Page 107 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 5

Church Traditions for a Christian Psychology

The importance of relationship. Much of the
damage sin causes to our souls comes through
our human relationships. And much of the he-
aling God provides also comes through human
relationships. Tending well to the therapeutic
relationship is a primary task for the Christian
practitioner.
We humans are lonely because sin has separated
us from God’s Presence, and as a consequence
we have also become estranged from ourselves
and one another. As we offer ourselves as wil-
ling channels, God’s mercy shines through the
therapeutic relationship. This merciful Presence
enables our patients to begin to dare to know Sarah Groen-Colyn, PhD in Clinical
themselves. Relationship with the true self is Psychology, MA in Christian Leader-
restored and integrated as we support our pati- ship (Fuller Seminary, accredited by
ents in coming out of the bent position and let- the American Psychological Associa-
ting go of the false self that flees from the truth tion). She is the Director of Ministries
of our brokenness and our need for God. “To of Pastoral Care (http://ministriesof-
know ourselves at all is to begin to be healed of pastoralcare.com) and the founder of
the effects of the Fall.” (HP p. 58)
Sanctuary Psychological Services. She
will have the pleasure serving with the
Conclusion Ministries of Pastoral Care team in

Germany in October, 2014, when the
There are many important aspects of Leanne’s NIS Netzwerk (http://www.nis-netz-
work that shape the counseling process, which werk.de) is offering a seminar to share
I have not written about in this article (such as Leanne’s work with Christian coun-
the healing of the schism between head and selors and ministry leaders.
heart, and between the masculine and femini- sarah@ministriesofpastoralcare.com
ne virtues; forgiveness of sin, self-acceptance,
and receiving of forgiveness; renouncing false
gods; symbolic confusion and same-sex attrac-
tion; the disease of introspection; and sense of
being). My prayer is that what I have shared
here will strengthen your desire to know more
of God’s healing presence in your own life and
counseling practice. I am grateful for brothers References
and sisters around the world who are seeking a Payne, L. (1981). The broken image: restoring personal
truly Christian understanding of what it is to be wholeness through healing prayer. Westchester, Ill.: Cor-
human and how God heals our souls and rela- nerstone Books.
tionships. Praise God that, in Him, our beco- Payne, L. (1985). Crisis in masculinity. Westchester, Ill.:
ming never stops. Crossway Books.
Payne, L. (1991). Restoring the Christian soul through
healing prayer: overcoming the three great barriers to
personal and spiritual completion in Christ. Wheaton,
Ill.: Crossway Books.
Payne, L. (1995). Real presence: the glory of Christ with
us and within us. Grand Rapids, MI: Hamewith Books.
Payne, L. (1995). The healing presence: curing the soul
through Union with Christ. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker
Books.
Payne, L. (19951994). Listening prayer. Eastbourne:
Kingsway.

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