A Whole-Person Oriented Model of Wellness
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are your works and my soul knows it very well.
Psalm 139:14
The LORD has created us as intricate and remarkable beings. He has placed us on this earth at the specific time and location He has chosen, and He has a significant plan for us to fulfill all the good works He has prepared for us. The wondrous diversity and complexity of the world around us demonstrate God’s natural order, yet we uniquely reflect His image and likeness. Consequently, when it comes to healing and caring for individuals, neither a simplistic nor an overly complex approach will be effective.
While some models attempt to overly simplify human beings, they ultimately leave them feeling unfulfilled. Conversely, when a model presents an overly complicated view of people, it can lead to confusion and overwhelming burdens of responsibility. Both of these approaches inevitably fall short. We are pleased to introduce the following wellness model, which we believe neither oversimplifies nor overcomplicates the individual, but instead addresses their needs directly and comprehensively.
GOD’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS
Our Wellness Model
Understanding and Utilizing the Model
The ordered foundational principles of our wellness model are: spiritual, relational, emotional, personal, mental, physical, and eternal. We believe that while all aspects of our being are interconnected, each aspect is uniquely distinct and carries its own set of instructions and necessities for fulfillment. We also recognize that due to the challenges we face, individuals often experience internal and relational fractures. Our approach to wellness aims to address these by solidifying, saturating, and connecting every dimension of a person’s being, ultimately building whole individuals grounded upon faith in God.
SPIRITUAL
God is spirit. At the core and foundation of every person is their spirit, which is the most critical part of us needing first and foremost to be renewed and correctly aligned with God. In one way or another everything will boil down to something spiritual, for within our spirits holds our beliefs, will, and identity. It is within our spirits that we have been given connection with God and then choose to follow the path of life or death.
RELATIONAL
The triune God has made us to be in relationship, first with Himself, and then with others. We are meant to live in community, working together to accomplish our purpose in God’s divine order. Relationships can be some of the most fulfilling aspects of our lives and some of the most challenging. The connections we have with others are invaluable and the God-given roles we play are essential.
EMOTIONAL
God cares about our hearts. In fact, He prioritizes our hearts over many other aspects of our being. For within the heart is the wellspring of life…the intentions, desires, and motivations for all that we do. Our heart drives us, so having our hearts molded like clay within the hands of the potter is an absolutely necessary step for us to be sanctified.
PERSONAL
There is One God and no one else is like Him. Every person to ever exist is a unique creation of God and there are no two people exactly alike. Understanding people’s personal make-up, strengths and weakness, and likes and dislikes allows discovery and fulfillment of an individual’s calling.
MENTAL
God plans, reasons, and remembers. Being created in His likeness, He has given us these abilities too. Our minds need to be renewed, and we must learn to take every thought captive. Helping people grow in wisdom and understanding is necessary for them to pursue God’s calling upon their life.
PHYSICAL
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Our heavenly Father has given us a body to accomplish His will. We should discipline ourselves to do all He has for us, while living in community within the Body of Christ. Taking care of our bodies and the greater Body is how we participate in God’s bigger story.
ETERNAL
God is, was, and is to come. He has set eternity within our hearts. God has a perfect plan to make new, to redeem and restore, and to resurrect all things. Whatever counsel one gives or receives should always be in light of eternity.
Equipping the Called
Training and Certification Course
