The Mystic by Church Health

Don’t know bout you, but they occupy an inordinate part of my week.   We get better at ignoring regrets! But we share our thoughts/wisdom on how to rise above those confounded, haunting things called REGRETS.  

So, in this month’s episode, the Mystics chat with Dorcas Griffin and reflect on the intentional work of increasing both spiritual and human maturity as many of us move through different seasons of life and growth. One of the areas we’re exploring together is strengthening our ability to apologize well when we’ve hurt someone — and, honestly, learning the ways not to apologize.  Too often, we can...

Special guest - Renuka Reddy, a calming and radiant light. This will be the first Mystic episode to focus on how Eastern religions and cultures—like our awesome Hindu community in Memphis—approach timely and timeless issues. A bit of meditation is involved. Enjoy!

Arguably no one tears down Memphis like people that live in Memphis. Rather than counter the negative narratives and stereotypes in this city, some Memphians seem to delight in taking shots at our beloved home, even though we only end up hurting ourselves in the process. So, my question for us at the Mystic is, "Why Memphis?" When any of us can choose to live somewhere else, and many of...

How do we understand God's mercy in a time when the issue of justice is bandied about at every turn? As we think about your own understanding of both justice and mercy, we hope to give illustrations of both. Collectively, the panel answers the question "When have you experienced mercy in your own life?"  

February Mystic for 2026. A discussion on words getting us twisted, but music can lead to truth and clarity. Let's go spelunking into the meaning of songs.

Questions being discussed are: Do you even believe that there is currently an uncivil discourse war? Am I just being too dramatic? What is even the “course” we are supposed to stay in this current environment? I have mentioned the course is love but really what does that even mean? What are your prescriptions for staying the course? So, I mentioned, I retreat and become passive aggressive in the f...

abbi Micah Greenstein hosts December's installment of The Mystic. This month's theme is "Preventing A Spiritual Deep Freeze as Winter Approaches." Stellar music with  Kirk Whalum   Ashley K. Davis   Keia Johnson , and the wisdom of Rev  G Scott Morris , Rev  Lillian Hallstrand Lammers , and  Dorcas Griffin .

The group discusses the importance and power of acknowledging and expressing gratitude, even in the midst of challenging times.   

We are blessed that Dorcus Young Griffin is our guest this month. Dorcus works in county government, and her brother is the city mayor of Memphis. She has a unique perspective on what we will discuss.  Last month, we discussed how we are called . This month we will discuss how we see the world.  How do our own biases influence the world we are interacting with. We suspect that by the 6th of Octobe...

We explore this idea of calling, vocation, purpose, and what it means to live our lives in a way that aligns with where and how we understand God to be leading us. A few questions that we'll toss around together:  We explore the experience of how you were led to your current call.   How do you know God is calling and it's not purely you wanting something different?  How do you fulfill the...

Is our free will overrated given that physiological, psychological, and behavioral factors are so strongly influenced by genetics? Looking back on your lives, are you more aware of genetic influences that explain your life journey, your likes, dislikes, behaviors, etc. (beyond your cholesterol numbers!) How “free” is free will in your thinking? For individuals raised in a violent neighborhood in t...

1. What is the role of disciplined, godly, thoughtful polemic in facing today’s unique challenges? 2. What place do the arts (drama, literature, music, etc.) and religion play in it all? The title is a wordplay on our precious civil rights anthem. The song we sing is an example of creative, righteous indignation against any injustice, led by, as usual, creators. Collaborators on the Humanité proje...

Who has been the most influential elder in your life? Think hard and please share concisely why that particular individual, whether a mentor, grandparent or other elder - living or deceased - continues to shape you.  How can the aging population of church going folk today inspire the younger among us?

This one is a nod to Ashley and Keia, and their lives in the theatre world. We wouldn’t dare recommend music knowing that this is their wheelhouse and passions! Since the 47th president’s takeover of the Kennedy Center, we have been thinking a lot about the role of the arts in our society and have particularly honed in on the theatre. While theatre productions have always offered social commentary...

What does it mean to seek genuine human connection, participate in the vulnerabilities ofrelationships, build a sense of community and belonging in a world that is increasinglydigitized and whose digitization could be leading toward folks opting out of the work ittakes to be "with" one another. The Mystic team reflects on their own relationship to technology, how it entered our livesand...

Guest speaker, William Cope Moyers of Hazelden/Betty Ford talks about his experience with addiction and recover and thoughts on how the faith community handles these issues. 

We are personally interested in your thoughts, especially this time of year and into the New Year’s resolutions, about perception & practice of Charity. What are the best ways to do it? Empty ways?  Has it become the tool of oligarchs to justify their dirt in some ways? To avoid a government that would tax them highly to do the same work with no credit? (We’d have to tread lightly on that one!...

The Mystic panel reflects on their own life experiences with Christmas, and then they discuss what Christmas means in our national context.  

Panelists react to any of the above and/or share a story of resilience in your experience as a pastor. Where did resilience come from in your hopes and dreams of election time in 2016. From where will it come no matter what the outcome in 2024?

We begin by reflecting on:  When do you find yourself feeling most nostalgic these days.  Where/when does your nostalgia take you?   What are some of the feelings and sensations that accompany that experience.   How does nostalgia help you as a pastor/leader?  How does it hinder you?  Are the laments of the declining mainline church just pining for the "good ol' days" or is there something else wi...

A Kindly Look — there is power in a glance . Try to recall one good and one bad experience you’ve had when a stranger “looked at you a certain way.”  I see you.  The importance of a look or greeting to the deeper spiritual work — even “evangelical work” — of folks who desire to represent (and perhaps manifest) the Divine.  The difference between men’s & women’s public bathroom etiquette!  Are...

We’ve been talking a lot about age in this country in the midst of this election year and ageism is one of this least talked about forms of discrimination.  What are your thoughts on age – both how you were brought up to think about age, and also how you think about age now at this moment in your life? What have you noticed about the public discourse about age recently? In sacred texts, someone li...

The Fourth of July is best known for red, white, and blue attire, drinks, fireworks, and barbecues. The holiday is revered as a summertime staple, but before we look up at fireworks, members of The Mystic panel will reflect on the meaning of The American Dream.

Using voices to speak to issues of the day, no matter what. For religious leaders there are many voices. This discussion will center on the balance between the prophetic voice and the pastoral voice.