Dr. Hanson’s HEAL method raises several implications for ministry – both for practice and for self-care. As it relates to practice, this approach can be used to coach and council people towards more grateful worldviews. As described by Dr. Epperly’s article, that sense of gratitude is the essence of worshipful living. By teaching our congregations ways of recognizing and internalizing moments of gratitude, we can help strengthen their faith lives.
For self-care during ministry, this approach may help soothe the many frustrating moments by giving more weight to moments of joy. We can allow ourselves to be lifted up by the highs of baptisms and moving worship as counterweights to the many instances of discontent that church families must work through. Especially with the negative bias described during the TED talk, this approach would contribute to a more balanced view of our efforts.