A Christian Perspective

Church Assurance Package for Pastors (14MB)

Body, Mind and Spirit. This is a phrase that most people would be familiar with. They would have little trouble defining what is necessary for physical health and wellness, even if their own life may not reflect healthy lifestyle choices. A health mind or mental health is often defined as an absence of mental health issues, although this is not really accurate as everyone, at times, struggles with emotional issues.

Now, a healthy spirit is more difficult to define. We are created as spiritual beings and for those who relay on a personally relationship with Creator, this identity ultimately defines whom they should be and how their life should be lived. This faith relationship adds a rich dimension to who we are, as we grow in the process of discovering meaning and purpose in our life.

For Christians, this journey is enhanced and directed by this very personal sense of relationship and connection to God through Jesus. Just like our physical body and intellect, our spiritual wellness depends on nourishment and exercise. We must feed out faith by reading God’s word, learning and growing within our faith community. This exercise is the very real challenge if, to be blunt, walking the walk as we talk the talk in the world we live.

Our spiritual wellness is vulnerable to the predatory nature of the Enemy, which takes our personal challenges and magnifies them. This can be especially difficult when dealing with anxiety and depression. These struggles can be distorted into pounding and overwhelming lies that are aimed at undermining personal faith. This can result in a sense of failure and anxiety, leading to withdrawal from the very things that can lead to healing and restoration.

Clearly wellness is more than living to stay healthy. It is also more than dealing with illness or disease. Wellness involves a sense of personal well being that ultimately will transcend the various circumstances real life brings our way. Real life can make us feel overwhelmed, depressed, anxious and unable to cope. It can make us feel defeated and unable to grow in our faith journey. No sense of wellness in that package.

Mental wellness involves the process of using one’s mind to create a greater understanding and depth, deepening our appreciation of life and our world. There is truth to the saying “garbage in, garbage out”. This extended to the process of creating and maintaining healthy relationships through the choices we make. Toxic relationships are often the result of us feeling that we don’t “deserve” better.

Part of the journey to wellness involves intentionality in exploring the reasons for our decisions in the areas of relationships, sexuality, substance abuse and seeking professional help for healing and restoration when there are obstacles that interfere with our wellness.

At Bayridge, we recognize that a person’s wellness should be an ongoing journey which ultimately improves their quality of life. Wellness is concerned with what is necessary and desirable to be able to function at one’s best in all areas of life, spiritually, emotionally and physically. Wellness is created through the responsible choices the individual makes in seeking to take an active, positive lifestyle.

Don’t let fear, pride or shame stand in your way to wellness.

YOU CAN BE WELL…WE KNOW HOW!

Christian Perspective to Counselling

We are created as spiritual beings and for those who relay on a personally relationship with their Creator, this identity ultimately defines whom they should be and how their life should be lived. This faith relationship adds a rich dimension to who we are, as we grow in the process of discovering meaning and purpose in our life.

For those who relay on a personally relationship with Christ, this identity ultimately defines whom they should be and how their life should be lived. This faith relationship adds a rich dimension to who we are, as we grow in the process of discovering meaning and purpose in our life.

We are professionals who are Christians. As counsellors and therapists we submit ourselves to recognized professional organizations such as the College of Psychologist, College of Social Workers, Ontario Association of Marriage & Family Therapist, Certified Pastoral Counsellors and many other accountability boards.

We have chosen our counsellors because of the gifts experience and skills they can bring to the counselling session. The methods of counselling can vary with the situation. Respect is foundational for good therapy. We always encourage the client to integrate their healing process with their spiritual roots and their church. We believe the church community is often critical for optimum recovery in all issues.

Part of the journey to wellness involves intentionality in exploring our decisions in the areas of relationships, sexuality, substance abuse and seeking professional help for healing and restoration when there are obstacles that interfere with our wellness.

Pastoral Counselling

For those who have faith, clinical research studies are showing that when faith and prayer are integrated into counselling the rates of recovery are often very encouraging. By using the wisdom of scripture and the principles found there. The Bible acts as a compass to point us in the right direction.

Our therapists are very comfortable with prayer and will integrate this into the sessions, if this is important to the clients. We have built a team that is able to consider not only issues from a relational, emotional, cognitive and behavioural perspective but feel comfortable integrating spiritual and eternal values into therapy.