Spiritual Health Care

Spiritual health can be as precarious as physical health. One brother or sister can suddenly become "caught in a trespass." Galatians 6:1. Another may become infected with a slow, insidious spiritual disease. See Matthew 13:22. Spiritual shepherds have a responsibility to "keep watch" over the sheep within their flock and take timely action to restore the health of the spiritually sick and injured. Hebrews 13:17.

Monitoring spiritual health can be a difficult task—at least as difficult as its physical counterpart. The basic procedure, however, is the same in both realms: examine, diagnose, and treat.

To observe the symptoms of spiritual disease, shepherds must know their flock. This is particularly true given the tendency we all have to conceal our spiritual faults and weaknesses from one another. Elders should work to foster an atmosphere of trust, concern and compassion that encourages openness. Only then will we do what James said we should do: "Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. "James 5:16.

Once a spiritual concern is identified, the elder must diagnose the nature of the problem and provide an effective treatment. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 says to "admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone." The faint-hearted need encouragement and the weak need help. The elders should see that these are provided in a timely manner. The unruly or rebellious need stronger medicine and provide an even more urgent need for intervention.

Elders have a "health plan" for their congregation that effectively treats whatever injuries or diseases may afflict the flock. Open sin within a congregation is like a sickness. Left unchecked, it will infect the entire church. 1 Corinthians 5:6. Diseases that are not treated will inevitably grow worse and ultimately result in death.

D. Runner