I hope that this seminar will move us a little bit forward toward the goal of learning to own, recognize, articulate, and name our emotions. Emotions are a part of the divine imprint on our lives. It is sinful and life denying to suppress our emotions. Our life and ministry are inhibited when we are out of touch with feelings. Mennonite leaders are in danger because the tradition has often taught us to suppress or deny our emotions.
Scriptures portray a full range of emotions.
The Psalms with their expressions of despair, bitterness, longing, and anger are less inhibited than we are today. Jesus expressed a wide range of emotions like compassion, love, indignation, sorrow, weeping, sighing, anger and joy. In the history of the church, the lives Luther, Wesley, and Spurgeon reveal deep emotional struggles. Reservoirs of strength. Christian leaders will understand that their physical resources deplete.