Page 125 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 5

The Society for Christian Psychology

My Hope for the Society for Christian Psychology
Jason Kanz

In 2009, I wrote a short essay that I entitled “Crisis of Faith in Psy-
chology”. At the time, I was wrestling to figure out what it meant for
me to be a Christian and a psychologist. I sought guidance from for-
mer mentors, but I was left wanting. I concluded the essay with these
words, “[I find myself] in a place of uncertainty regarding the inter-
section between my faith and my career. I pray for truth. I pray that
regardless of the counsel I receive from others, God reveals Himself.
I pray for His patience with me and patience with myself. I pray that
God provides wisdom to my unsettled soul. I pray that God helps me
to ask the right questions even if, for the rest of my life, I never come
to know the answers to them.” Jason Kanz is a board

certified neuropsy-
The following spring, I attended a conference where I met Dr Eric chologist in clinical
Johnson who introduced me to the Society for Christian Psychology. practice in northern
Since that time, I have immersed myself more and more deeply in Wisconsin. He also
the Society, and I am blessed to have met several people through this edits the newsletter,
organization. For the first time, it seemed to me that I had found a Soul & Spirit, for the
home that fits me well. Society for Christian
Psychology. In his free
Looking forward, what do I expect or hope for the Society? I have se- time, he enjoys spen-
veral personal hopes. As I continue to develop as a professional neu- ding time with his wife
ropsychologist, one of my hopes is that the Society will continue to and children, baking
serve as a catalyst for my professional development. It is my impres- bread, and reading
sion that Christians are not well represented in the neurosciences. theology.
The Society enables me to look at my professional work through the
spectacles of orthodox Christian belief and to examine how it fits
within a biblical worldview.

A second personal hope is that I want to continue to develop in my
personal ministry. The Society has equipped me to love people bet-
ter than I have before. I have met dear friends who have challenged
some of my assumptions and helped me to critically think through
what I believe about God and others. As I provide counsel to others,
whether professionally or personally, I will make use of things I have
learned through this Society.

A final personal hope is that my relationships will continue to de-
epen. As I mentioned above, I have been blessed to know Eric John-
son and I have been ministered to by him. His passion and compas-
sion are so evident. I have also met several other wonderful people
through editing the newsletter, attending conferences, and through
connection with the Society. I hope that these relationships grow, but
that I also meet new friends.

Looking more broadly, I also have hopes for the Society in gene-
ral. I expect that in the next ten years and beyond, we will continue
establish ourselves as unique from existing models of helping, even

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