Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - July/80

Contributor - John Moerman

Title - Workshop: The Church's Healing Ministry

Topic - Ministries

During recent years I have become increasingly interested and involved in charismatic renewal movement and the church's healing ministry. Many books have been written on the subject of "inner healing". Confession of sin, removal of guilt, forgiveness, and reconciliation with God and men are part and parcel of our salvation and wholeness. To the degree we exemplify the life of Jesus do we experience the blessedness whereof the psalmist wrote in 32: 1-2. Sin is everything that is not perfection. Sin is where I am not like Jesus in thought, word, or deed. Lack of forgiveness is the most common obstacle toward healing, whole ness, and holiness. An unforgiving attitude undermines all of life. Life's hurts are healed when and where I allow the love of God to flood my life.

One of my RCA colleagues and myself used one week of our professional development leave to attend such . a seminar on the church's healing ministry, held at the beautiful setting of the University of Victoria Campus. Conducting the workshop were sister Jeanne Hill, fathers Matthew ana Dennis Linn, and Paul Schaaf. Until recently father Francis McNutt was the leader of this team, however, since he now has married, he and his wife are conducting their own workshops. The above-mentioned priests and nun have conducted healing workshops throughout the world for a number of years. God is using these servants of His mightily, everywhere. it was indeed a great privilege to be among the 235 attending this shop. The love and grace of God stood out in forms of pardon, peace, and power.

The week-long seminar started on Sunday evening with an acquaintance reception. Teaching sessions high lighted the morning and evening sessions, while the afternoon was devoted to the practical celebration of eucharist healing worship. Approximately 75% of those attending were members of Roman Catholic charismatic prayer groups. The next largest groups were of Anglican and United churches. A goodly number of people were of Dutch background whether Catholic, Presbyterian, United, or Pentecostal. However, in all of my life I have never experienced a greater oneness in faith, hope and love in Jesus Christ, but during this week-long healing workshop. It truly was ecumenical in the most widely, healing, practical and deepest sense. We were officially welcomed by the bishop of Victoria, Father De Roo (:of Belgium background).

Arrangements were made to celebrate mass or holy communion separately. The bishop emphasized this several times; also, that arrangement could be made for celebration of communion for those of other but Catholic and Anglican persuasion. Yet, when on Monday the first. eucharist was celebrated we evidenced such an oneness in the Holy Spirit of Father and Son that Christians from every denomination present joined the Catholics for the celebration of mass or eucharist. These afternoon celebrations were healing indeed! This was not the first time I have celebrated communion with Catholic Christians; just a month or so before we did the same at a hospital chaplain's conference. Each time I prayerfully prepared myself, I thought of what our Heidelberg Catechism states about the Catholic mass: "cursed idolatry". I firmly believe that this phrase grieves our Saviour and Lord, and the sooner our RCA removes this cursed phrase the better it is for our whole church.

We witnessed remarkable hearings of spirit, soul and/or body. These celebrations were innovative, imaginative, and creative; each time experiencing Christ's healing power through the love of forgiveness and reconciliation. At one time, we were asked to exchange shoes with the one sitting to our left. The purpose was to teach one another how it feels to "walk in someone else's shoes".We were asked to silently meditate as we placed ourselves in the situation of a person we recently had criticized.... Another time. we were given a rock, each of varying size, as we entered the auditorium. The teaching that afternoon was on "heart of stone" which God stood ready to transform into "heart of flesh.......... Thereupon as everyone came forward to receive a wafer dipped in wine, each person was offered the opportunity and privilege to leave his/her stone at the communion table, forming a cross of these stones, symbolizing that we left our stoney hearts at the cross of Jesus Christ where our old nature was crucified with Him.

During another teaching session and healing ministry arrangements were made to wash another's feet, even as Jesus said, "See, I have set you an example that you do even as I did". Team members asked for volunteers who felt they needed this experience, e.g., a father and son present, who had not fully been reconciled to one another; and/or mother and daughter; husband and wife, priest and minister, English and French Canadian (it was the week of the Quebec referendum). Words are totally inadequate to describe what healing was experienced and sensed throughout. Some spoke audible, deeply moving prayers of confession, reconciliation and healing forgiveness; others spoke just one or two words; still others shed tears of repentance and healing as they embraced one another in the love of Christ.

Each day following there were testimonies concerning remarkable hearings. This because inner healing very often precedes physical wholeness. Even as in a hospital setting we often witness the reverse: physical patching up does not last because inner healing (anger, resentment, selfrighteous and proud spirit) has not been dealt with; healing of memory has been overlooked or ignored. Very often this has triggered the initial and/or mental illness. More and more this point is supported by those of the medical profession.

It was repeatedly pointed out at the workshop that all healing begins with getting in touch with the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. The rootword in Greek of salvation and healing is very much the same. Healing is not so much a technique; it is far more learning how to truly love and reconcile in Jesus' name. When you and I go to sleep with anything less but perfect love and peace of Jesus Christ within, to that degree are we able to function the following day the way God has chosen us to function here on earth. To the degree that you and I have not received perfect love from our parents, we are "wounded". Imagine! What "wounded" or "crippled healers" everyone of us is! One of the team members asked those present to raise the hand who clearly remembered that father hugged them when very small. Hardly a hand went up of those above the 30 years ... To the degree I have the right attitude of forgiveness and love, I will be able to personally win people for Jesus and help my church grow.

It is impossible to adequately report what this workshop meant to all. At each session there was spontaneous singing in the Spirit, dancing to the Lord, embracing in Christ, and healing in answer to prayer.

For those who like to learn more about the above subject I'll mention some books I read during recent years:

Set Free, Betty Tapscoft

Inner Healing Through Healing of Memories, Betty Tapscott

Healing, Francis MacNuft

Healing Power, Francis MacNutt

Healing Life's Hurts, Dennis & Matthew Linn

Healing of Memories, Matthew & Dennis Linn

To Heal as Jesus Healed, Barbara Leahy Shlemon, Dennis & Matthew Linn

Healing Prayer, Barbara Leahy Shlemon

How to Overcome Depression, Tim Lehaye

You can be Emotionally Healed, Morris Sheats

Make Me Vaole, Joan Jones

The Gift of Inner Healing, Ruth Stapleton

The Healing Gifts of the Spirit, Ruth Stapleton

Healing Adventure, Anne White Divine Healing, Andrew Murray Deliver Us From Evil, Don Basham (Casting out evil spirits)

RELAXED READING ...

HAPPY VACATION TIME ... HEALTH BEYOND HEALING ...

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