Intellectual Well‑Being
…involves the way that we engage the world with our minds, including our learning, knowledge, ministry competences, creativity, and the practice of curiosity.
“you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12.30)
One thing that I can do right now:
What is the most important book you have read? In seminary? In church? Preparing for a sermon? If you still have a copy of it, go back and re-read it (or at least peruse any notes or underlined sections). Reflect on why this work was important for you, and what it might continue to teach you.
Spiritual practices for intellectual wellness:
Richard Foster, in his classic book Celebration of Discipline, reminds us of the importance of the spiritual practice of “study”:
- Repetition. What we repeat, we learn. Thus, think about what you ingest most frequently and ask if that is what you truly want to study.
- Concentration. Foster doubts the efficacy of multitasking, and invites us instead to practice centering our attention on the subject that we choose to study.
- Comprehension. A third element of study occurs when our repetition and our concentration lead to “eureka” moments where our understanding takes a leap.
- Reflection. Finally, Foster invites us to practice the discernment of asking how the knowledge that we receive is significant. “Reflection brings us to see things from God’s perspective.”
A few books about intellectual wellness:
- Barnes, M. Craig. The Pastor as Minor Poet: Texts and Subtexts in the Ministerial Life. Grand Rapids, Mich., William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co, 2008. Available on Amazon.
- Chanequa Walker-Barnes. Sacred Self-Care: Daily Practices for Nurturing Our Whole Selves. New York City, HarperCollins, 2023. Available on Amazon.
- Roller, Julia L. 25 Books Every Christian Should Read: A Guide to the Essential Spiritual Classics. New York City, HarperOne, C, 2011. Available on Amazon.
A person I could talk to:
Many of our partnering seminaries offer continuing education courses, as well as degrees for more intensive degree programs. You may have a seminary close to you, or might look at distance learning at one of our ABC seminaries:
A Ministers Council resource available to me:
One of the Ministers Council’s priorities is competence in ministry, so there are several examples of MC Live sessions designed to help clergy grow in wisdom and knowledge. Here are a few examples:
MCLive Webinar: Courtney Pace shares about Dr. Prathia Hall, February 2023
MCLive Webinar: How to Heal Our Divides with Brian Allain, April 2023
Visit the Ministers Council Video Archive for more intellectual well-being video resources.
Other denominational resources to explore:
ABHMS offers a wide range of educational resources through their Center for Continuous Learning. Follow this link to learn more: CCLC Resources.