Soul Care Explained
The Importance of the Soul
The word soul appears frequently in the Bible. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word primarily translated as soul, nephesh (נֶפֶשׁ), appears over 700 times. In the New Testament the Greek word psyche (ψυχή), translated as soul, life or self, appears over 100 times. The soul is obviously something important for us to understand and tend to.
Though the word “soul” is prominent in Scripture, the term “soul care” is not widely used in contemporary Christianity. It’s a practice rooted in the history of the church that has taken various forms over the course of time. This brief summary is an introduction to the shape this beautiful work takes through Deeply Formed.
What is the Soul?
In one sense, the soul or heart is the animating center of the human personality. It’s our interior life. What the Bible calls our “inner being” (Ephesians 3:16, Romans 7:22). In another sense, it is the sum total of all the aspects of what it means to be human. We are too sophisticated to be reduced to a single essential part.
Just like the physical body is a symphony of different systems (skeletal, muscular, nervous, etc) so it is with our “deeper body” composed of our mental, emotional and spiritual realities. All the capacities of the self; physiological and spiritual, are imbedded within each other. We are an integrated whole.
So the soul is our inner life while it’s also the entirety of our God-created humanity.
What is Soul Care?
Soul Care is an integrated approach for renewal and health that combines the wisdom and practices of psychology, neuroscience and Christian spiritual formation. Drawing from modern science and ancient wisdom creates a unique dynamic for change and growth.
Through it we explore the embodied and interconnected cognitive, emotional and spiritual processes that impact everyday living. It is trinitarian; seeking to encounter love from the Father, applying the redemptive work of the Son and walking in step with the Spirit.
What are the Aims of Soul Care?
At its heart, Soul Care is restorative and developmental. The aim is not only symptom alleviation and gaining tools for healthier functioning but also the deeper work of healing, formation and living a more fruitful life in Christ.
By removing barriers that interfere with our felt sense of union and communion with God we can step more fully into the divine love that reorders our disordered lives.
What Happens in a Session?
The needs and desired outcomes of the client guide the process. These emerge through active listening and timely, sensitive questions with a shared posture of compassionate curiosity.
Together we explore story, family background, developmental contributors and current life experience in the context of prayer, paying attention to God’s active loving presence and the work of his Spirit.
Who is This For?
Soul care is for anyone. As a specific service offered through Deeply Formed it is for adult men and women, individuals and couples in the Christian community, with a specialization in work with pastors, missionaries, leaders and their families.