"Troens meningsskabende funktion"

(Fra Ugeavisen Udfordringen torsdag den 10. juni 2010)
Et ph.d.-projekt på Kolding Internationale Højskole kortlægger ”troens meningsskabende funktion” for at give sundhedspersonale større indblik i åndelig omsorg.

I Danmarks velsmurte sundhedsmaskine er der grus i maskineriet, når det kommer til åndelig omsorg, siger psykolog Dorte Toudal Viftrup.

I et ph.d.-projekt kortlægger hun, hvordan troen skaber systemer af mening hos den syge. I takt med at flere patienter overlever alvorlige sygdomme, hober antallet af ellers fysisk raske patienter sig op i behandlingssystemet på grund af behov for åndelig omsorg, siger hun og fortsætter: Behovet for behandling og omsorg forsvinder ikke, når lægen erklærer patienten for rask, siger hun. Overleverne har nemlig også brug for hjælp til at finde tilbage til livet, når deres fysiske lidelser er behandlet. Ligesom mødet med psykisk lidelse kan vende op og ned på livets mening. Ph.d.-projektet er et samarbejde mellem KIH og Syddansk Universitet.

Der er brug for åndelig omsorg - også efter patienten er erklæret for rask, siger Dorte Toudal Viftrup.

Projektet undersøger en terapeutisk form for åndelig omsorg. Selvom analysen endnu ikke er færdiggjort, indikerer datamaterialet allerede nu, at terapeutens indsigt i åndslivet er skelsættende for, om klienterne får det bedre, siger Dorte Toudal Viftrup.

33.000 danskere blev i 2007 konfronteret med deres egen dødelighed, da de modtog diagnosen kræft. Men det er ikke kun fysisk sygdom, som kan få livets store spørgsmål ned i øjenhøjde. Ifølge psykiatrifonden lider mindst 700.000 danskere af en psykisk sygdom, og hveranden dansk familie kommer i kontakt med behandlingssystemet. Betegnelsen ”åndelig omsorg” dækker en bred indsats af både psykologisk, eksi- stentiel og åndelig karakter. Internationale undersøgelser har påvist, at menneskers tro fungerer som en kerne, hvorfra mennesket skaber mening med sit liv. Det er også ud fra denne kerne, at vi mennesker skaber mening på ny, når livets mening er smuldret efter et barns utidige død eller sygdommens urimelige indtræden.

Derfor kan viden om troens meningssystem bruges til at forbedre den åndelige omsorg i Danmark, konkluderer Dorte Toudal Viftrup. International religionsforskning tyder på, at det er bedst at opnå en specifik viden om enkelte trosretninger for at kunne udvikle kvalificeret åndelig omsorg. På Kolding Internationale Højskole indhentes der nu gennem projektet viden om den kristne tros meningsfunktion hos mennesker i krise. - Viden om, hvordan en kriseramt person udtrykker og benytter sin kristne tro, er yderst brugbar i vores sundhedsfaglige arbejde, fordi vi derved kan arbejde mere målrettet med klientens meningssystem, forklarer psykolog og ph.d.-studerende Dorte Toudal Viftrup, som leder undersøgelsen.

18. – 22. oktober 2010
Steve Gambill & RPM band, England Magnus Persson,Sverige

Unge fra store dele af Danmark vil sammen med højskolens elever samt Apostolsk Kirke i Kolding inspirere hinanden i dette nye ungdomsnetværk. Kom og vær med til fællesskab, radikale trosudfordringer og workshops.

Steve Gambill is the founder/director of Rocknations. Originally from the USA Steve became Youth pastor at Abundant Life Bradford in 1993 and launched the Rocknations conference in 2001. Since then, Rocknations has become one of the fastest growing conferences of its kind, impacting thousands of young people who attend; as well as reaching over 200 nations through weekly TV programmes and podcasts. Steve’s vision is to empower young people to change their culture for Christ and he is passionate about helping then reach their potential in life. He is married to Charlotte and has two children Hope Cherish and Noah Brave.

May 8 to 14, 2011
CHRISTINE OG JOHN LARKIN, UK
DAVID HUDSON, Sweden

An equipping and inspiring week where the teaching will focus in theory and practice on how to hear God's voice and use it in your everyday life.

John and Christine started their Christian life in an Elim Pentecostal Church in East London. In the 1970s they became part of the growing charismatic house church movement in Romford led by John and Christine Noble. As they began to grow in their prophetic and teaching ministries they moved to Southampton to work with Graham Cooke, supporting him in Schools of Prophecy and conference events. In 2003 Christine moved to full time ministry, developing prophetic training programmes, conference speaking and church consultancy.  John is now full time working in ministry to both Sword of Fire and Future Training Institute. John has a passion to see the full encouragement of God released through the church. He spends a great deal of time ministering to leaders and events about the nature of God. Since going on a mission trip with the Arnotts (Toronto) to the Ukraine last August John, is spending increasing time working with the leaders and networks in Eastern Europe.

David Hudson

David Hudson was born and raised in Arizona, USA, and got married to Patricia in 1975.  They have five children.  David spent 20 years in the medical world, managing hospital departments and medical supply stores.  Throughout that period he was part of the church leadership team at CLF in Kirksville, Missouri.  At the same time, he worked with churches throughout the United States to help build leadership teams and healthy families.  Today the Hudson family is living in Älmhult, Sweden.  David is now travelling extensively with church encouraging, church planting, and church building throughout Northern Europe and the Central United States.

Price for teaching, room and board (double room): 1850, - DKK

March 7 to 11, 2011

Brian and Jenn Johnson, Bethel Church, Redding, USA.

If you need new inspiration and deeper insight into praise and worship, join us for an exciting week, where we also focus on networking with other singers, musicians, sound technicians etc. from across Europe.

Brian and Jenn Johnson are the senior worship pastors at Bethel Church in Redding, California. They are also the head overseers for the Bethel School of Worship. Their musical skill, refreshing style, and anointed song writing have ministered to hundreds of thousands both in live worship settings and through their albums. Their simple approach for God and life shows in their worship and teaching. Brian and Jenn's latest project "Where you go I go" is a collection of twelve original worship songs recorded live at Bethel Church in Redding. It has a very creative and modern sound while never losing its worship soul.

Price for teaching, room and board (double room): 1550, - DKK