Incorporating Mindfulness, guided imagery, acceptance, eastern religion into coc

[l.a.providence]

With all the mental breakdown in church members, MI, SMI, and day to day stress and moodiness in living, why not incorporate some of these practices into the church. I see value in teaching our members mindfulness and even guiding the members through imagery in the pulpit or elsewhere. Many of these practices originated in eastern religions but I have no problem with that. I encourage you to read Time magazine's Mindfulness issue that is out as well. I'm not into yoga but if that's a practice that relieves stress then go for that too. I believe all of these would prepare a person to enjoy the presence of the lord as well.

[chosenone]

As a Christian I stay away from anything that has its roots in a false religion, as well as new age stuff and yoga. What helps is the peace that passes all understanding which only Jesus Christ gives.

[4WD]

With all the mental breakdown in church members, MI, SMI, and day to day stress and moodiness in living, why not incorporate some of these practices into the church. I see value in teaching our members mindfulness and even guiding the members through imagery in the pulpit or elsewhere. Many of these practices originated in eastern religions but I have no problem with that. I encourage you to read Time magazine's Mindfulness issue that is out as well. I'm not into yoga but if that's a practice that relieves stress then go for that too. I believe all of these would prepare a person to enjoy the presence of the lord as well.

Nothing is of less interest to me than having some young whippersnapper standing behind a pulpit telling me what the scriptures must mean to me in my life.  He has no experience, let alone expertise, to do such a thing, even if he is an old whippersnapper.  His duty is to help me understand what God, through the Bible, has said. Once I know and understand what God has said, then I will figure out how to apply it to my life.  Unfortunately, it is usually much easier for that whippersnapper to pontificate on my life than to teach and preach what God has said; mainly because oftentimes he understands it even less than I do, so teaching can be a real drag.

[l.a.providence]

Ok, so the bible specifically tells what to do to enter into peace and life...I agree the scriptures and preachers who preach just the straight word of God are meant to give us answers....so Christ never mentioned mental illness, rather he told us to cast out evil spirits and demons.....That's the purified word of God we should be preaching.  Unfortunately, the churches i'm in don't allow this.  Instead, our members who do have mental illness are suggested to take medications.  Medications are from doctors and i'm not against this either, but science has found the combination of medications and psychotherapy are the best duo for treating a person. Therefore, if we're only relying on science and psychotherapy since we don't cast out demons, then why not incorporate more psychotherapeutic practices, something your telling me healing only comes about by a preacher with expertise.