No one wants to gatekeep a good resource – let’s get the word out about the hidden gems that are making a difference in our churches! In the first of the series “We Recommend”, I had a chat with Rev Tim Bustin, vicar of All Saints in Nelson.

Tim recommends a book by Peter Scazzero called Emotionally Healthy Discipleship.

What initially drew you to the Emotionally Healthy Discipleship resource and how did you come across it?

Tim: This is the culmination of Pete Scazzero’s work around “being before doing” and living within limits. None of it is rocket science, but there is a lot of gold in it. We’ve been using it with our staff team. There is some contextualisation needed as it comes from an American protestant context, but it’s been really helpful. 

Emotionally healthy discipleship cannot be merely taught as information, but is most valuable when chewed over, reflected on, and applied.

Pete Scazzero repeatedly says that the best way to approach the material is to take it slowly!

In what ways has Emotionally Healthy Discipleship impacted you personally?

Tim: I certainly underlined a lot in the book!

The convicting part was the idea that “as goes the leader, so goes the church”. We lead out of who we are more than what we say.

I had to ask myself, “What am I embodying as a leader? Am I flourishing in my emotional and spiritual health?” 

This self-reflection has been crucial for me in assessing my own health and well-being to better lead my parish.

In your opinion, why is emotional health critical in the context of Christian discipleship?

Tim: A part of it is what kind of culture do we want as the people of God at All Saints? Because that will be the thing that defines us. Are the people in our church experiencing flourishing emotional and spiritual well-being? 

It comes back to embodiment. 

I think this resource is more than just for me and my staff, but I’m grappling with how to do that. This is like yeast in the dough. I believe that God is calling us to have emotionally healthy spirituality as part of our vocabulary as a parish.

What does an emotionally healthy parish look like to you?

Tim: How do we see churches that are alive, fruitful, and also sustainable for all those in them? What does it look like to respond to God’s call with passion and obedience without feeling like we need to do everything? It’s about understanding our God given limits, and learning to serve and lead acknowledging our own weakness and vulnerability.

Ultimately, it’s about allowing Jesus to shape and change us while we follow him!

I strongly recommend Emotionally Healthy Discipleship to all church leaders. At a minimum, I would recommend church leaders read this book.

‍

You can get a copy (or several) of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship from Manna here. It's also available to borrow from Bishop Sutton Library.