Religious faith and healing
topic for Seminary's Convocation

Pastors should feel empowered to talk with doctors about their parishioners under a physician's care in hopes of strategizing more effectively about patient-care approaches.

That's the view of Dr. Paul F. Engstrom, a Lutheran who is one of the region's leading oncologists. He was one of two keynoters to address a spring convocation audience of alums, faculty, staff and friends at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia April 8. Engstrom is senior vice president at Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, and a member of Christ Lutheran Church, Oreland, PA. Also speaking was John Shea of Chicago, a faith-based health consultant and storyteller about faith and health issues. The fascinating glimpse into modern wholistic health care was made possible by a generous grant from Wheat Ridge Ministries

Engstrom said frankly that in medical school "you are taught to duck your (faith) beliefs." But he said he had no doubt that religious beliefs "influence the feelings and actions" of patients. "Illness prompts questioning, and patients frequently ask questions beyond what medical school taught us." He said patients frequently will regard doctors as "secular priests" and physicians are "under-trained in these matters." He therefore encouraged pastors to dialogue with doctors about questions their patients may raise "or invite their parishioners undergoing treatment to set up such a dialogue." Such an approach could well spearhead a more wholistic treatment approach.

"Physicians should consider the spiritual well-being of their patients," Engstrom said. "They should ask their patients what gives meaning to their life and ask them how does that help you?" They should ask about whether the patient has spiritual practices, how such practices help them to cope and how they engage in the practices. They should ask, "Would it help to talk with the person you trust about spiritual matters as a way of dealing with the issues of your treatment?" Many patients need such encouragement to connect the dots of their wholistic health picture, he said.

John Shea

Shea traced the importance of recognizing the different dimensions of personal health, including the physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects. He told many personal stories of people he had met or researched about. In one instance he recalled the case of a woman with several brain aneurysms, two of which had been surgically repaired while one remained "ticking inside of her." In dealing with post-operative family concerns, the woman told him that the illness had proved to be "a good thing" for her family. She said the family had "reconnected, said things that otherwise wouldn't have been said" without the crisis. Shea said that when a part of an individual is jeopardized – the physical by disease – other parts "may come alive. There may be a real spiritual awakening." At such a time an ailing person may become determined not to allow infirmities to "keep them from living."

With illness, Shea said "every time is the first time. Every heart attack sufferer is unique. There is no predictability. Everyone has a new path, a new sensitivity, new doors to go through with new possibilities." He said it is important to walk with each individual mindfully and with attentiveness to the uniqueness of that journey.

The convocation continued April 9 with several workshops on topics related to the theme, "The Church and Healing: Presence and Hope." The keynoters were workshop leaders in the morning and then delivered additional remarks in the afternoon. Other workshop leaders included the Rev. Dr. Pamela Cooper-White, Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology, who discussed "Pastoral Care and Involvement of the Laity," and Elaine Ramshaw, Visiting Associate Professor of Lutheran Studies at Yale Divinity School, who talked about "Liturgy of the Word for Healing."