Soul Care
for Church Staff and Non-Profit Teams
“On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul.” Psalm 138:3
What is it?
Soul care pays attention to the wellbeing of our souls – the goal being an ever-deepening relationship with the living God. Similar to the care of our body, we pay attention to what causes our soul to thrive and we are vigilant about what may be a danger to it. We cultivate habits that refresh and strengthen the soul by creating space for God to do His transforming work in us. This leads us to experience ever more deeply the kind of abundant life that Jesus makes possible. It also enables us to live and lead from the strength of our souls – our life with God.
Why is it needed?
Too often Christian leaders are so focused on the care of others and the importance of the mission God has given them that they fail to take care of themselves. This can be true on many levels (physically, emotionally, relationally), but it is especially true at the soul level. We tend to deceive ourselves by thinking that because we are doing work for God, then surely our souls are in good shape. Christian leaders need safe places to process what is happening at the soul level and to be given tools that will strengthen them to find a way of life that works in the midst of the inevitable challenges.
“The ‘sudden’ failures that appear in the lives of some leaders are never really sudden but are the surfacing of long-standing deficiencies in ‘the hidden person of the heart.’”
Dallas Willard
“Truly, the best thing any of us have to bring to leadership
is our own transforming selves.”
Ruth Haley Barton
Who is needed?
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The Spirit of God as our primary Teacher and Guide; in every session we trust He is in us and among us, transforming us by “the renewing of our minds,” as we offer ourselves to Him.
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Persons who are open to seeking a deeper relationship with the living God and committed to the effort required to take care of their souls – for the glory of God, for their own wellbeing, and for the sake of others. This includes a willingness to do self-examination and to surrender to the continuing transformational work of God.
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A soul care guide who has been on the journey a while, has known the realities of failure as well as growth, is well read and practiced in the area of spiritual formation, and has a passion for helping others deepen their life with God and live out their calling from that place.
How does it work?
There are several components that usually work well:
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Gather together at least once a month for approximately an hour.
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Study together from sources that inform and guide us on soul care. I usually recommend starting with Ruth Haley Barton’s book, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership.
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Listen to each other, the Spirit, and God’s Word in ways that help affirm and deepen the work the Spirit wants to do in us.
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Have intentional conversation around what God is doing in us personally as well as a team so that we might strengthen and encourage one another and be equipped to do the work God is calling us to in His power and His wisdom.
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Practice spiritual habits individually and together that create space for God to do His transforming work in us.
“We are not called
to be in the
world for God,
we are called
to be in God
for the world.”
Robert Mulholland, Jr.
"I have been privileged to know and work with Dr. Deirdre LaNoue for the last 20 years. She has been a frequent consultant with our staff on matters of discipleship and soul care, leading multiple group experiences and also doing one-on-one mentoring. I personally have benefitted from her counsel on a multitude of occasions, and consider her a cherished guide and friend.”
Dr. Larry Parsley
Senior Pastor, Valley Ranch Baptist Church