Less Darkly into the Mystery; Exploring Deeper Into Third Way
Riots in the streets, division and disunity are worse than ever, despite hopes in political change and calls for justice. The world moves further in chaos and conflict despite the call as Christians to a ministry of reconciliation. How does mental health science inform and assist us in enabling the Holy Spirit and more clearly seeing the glory of God?
Who: For the Newsong Christian community of mental health providers, addiction/recovery counselors, peer support counselors, spiritual formation counselors.
Why: To explore interest within the Newsong family for fellowship, network, community and professional/spiritual growth, presenting new Christian mental health integration concepts based on the Newsong platform of the “Third Way,” to move the Church towards unity and the ministry of reconciliation, for the glory of God.
When: Sunday afternoons at 1pm, August 3, 10, 17, 24, 2025
What: 4 “focus” sessions, 1 ½ hours each, in a series, but also ok to attend out of sequence or individually.
Structure: 15 minutes introductions, 30 minutes didactic, 45 minutes discussion
Where: Church Office, East of the sanctuary: 910 West 17th Street, suite B, Santa Ana, 92706
Focus Content Descriptions
August 3: The Fall, God’s Loving Provision of the Unconscious
A discussion of the fall and sin and the consequences of loss of attachment with God. Reframing narcissism as pride and idolatry, is the unconscious a God-designed function with complex spiritual effects? How does this perspective change everything, both in seeing sin’s effects on identity, relationships, and in seeing the redemptive power of Christ?
August 10: Relationships, Spiritual Battle of the Real vs. Unreal
A discussion of postfall relationships, as our nature tries to fill the “God shaped hole,” building towers of power, wealth, beauty and strength. How can relationships avoid narcissism and idolatry as spirituality, friendships, fellowship, work relationships, marriage and parenting are all affected by sin. How does transference and countertransference in all relationships either heal or sustain an unconscious participation in sin? How can awareness of our sin avoid self-condemnation, and how do we transcend pride and idolatry if these spiritual battles are unconscious? How does the “false self” transform to honestly “Love Others as Ourselves?”
August 17: Reconciliation, Filling the God Shaped Hole
Riots, chaos in the streets, division and disunity are worse than ever, despite hopes of political change and calls for justice. The world moves further in chaos and conflict despite the call as Christians to a ministry of reconciliation.
How do we love God and love others without acting out through an idolatrous self? How is the “God shaped hole” filled and who fills it? What are the tools and guideposts that move us towards the Spirit instead of stagnating or regressing away from God? Does this describe sanctification?
August 24: God’s Perfect Love, Deeper, Higher, Wider
Love is complex and layered. What is perfect love? How is it helpful to see love at levels of complexity just as there are levels of knowledge and wisdom? We will explore God’s defining love in His identity, action and motivation. As Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is the embodied example of perfect love, how do we define and live in perfect love in earthly life? How is God’s love our ultimate handbook in the ministry of reconciliation, expressed in all areas of life, including identity, purpose, work and meaning. How does this translate a concept of love as “mental health” informed?
Discussion led by Tom Okamoto, author, speaker, psychiatrist, adjunct professor at Biola University, assistant clinical professor, UC Irvine Medical School Dept of Psychiatry.
We hope to see you as we explore some of these and other questions to seek God through fellowship in this unique Newsong 3rd Space.