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Working Together: Psychology and the
Church
In 2003, the Journal of Psychology and Christianity (JPC)
completed its 22nd year of publication with “Psychology
Collaborating With the Church,” a special issue
edited by Mark R. McMinn, PhD, and Amy W. Dominguez, PsyD,
of Wheaton College. In their introduction, the editors
noted,
It is surprising and paradoxical that the Church—an
institution with a long and rich history of soul care—represents
a relatively new area of scientific and professional
interest for psychology, a discipline whose name literally
means the study of the soul (psyche). The individualist,
modernist, and anti-religious origins of psychology
may have contributed to the long-standing gulf between
psychology and the Church, as well as the anti-science
sentiments shrouding many Christian congregations since
the fundamentalist/social gospel split of the early
20th century. Undoubtedly, both psychology and the Church
have contributed to the distance between the two institutions.
Whatever the causes of the rift, it is clear that psychologists
know quite little about working with clergy and religious
institutions (Weaver et al., 1997).
But today’s psychology—with greater openness
to spirituality, multiple ways of knowing, cultural
diversity, and community emphases—provides a promising
context for studying the church. And today’s Church—with
increasing reliance on technology and science, growing
engagement with contemporary culture, and a willingness
to elevate various Christian psychologists to a near-prophetic
role—may be more open to the influence of psychology
than ever before. (p. 291)
McMinn and Dominguez have compiled more than 17 articles
highlighting the work of mental health professionals who
are actively collaborating with the Church from clinical,
research, and community perspectives. Professionals in
both fields (psychology and related disciplines as well
as theology and related disciplines) will benefit from
this invaluable information about working together to
facilitate healing and growth in the Body of Christ.
(NOTE: A subscription to JPC is
just one of the benefits of CAPS membership.)
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