Theophostic Ministry: What Is It? Who Is Using It? What Does the Research Show? -- By: Fernando Garzon

Journal: Reformation and Revival
Volume: RAR 13:2 (Spring 2004)
Article: Theophostic Ministry: What Is It? Who Is Using It? What Does the Research Show?
Author: Fernando Garzon


Theophostic Ministry: What Is It?
Who Is Using It?
What Does the Research Show?

Fernando Garzon

In the last eight years, a rapidly growing inner healing prayer approach, Theophostic Prayer Ministry (TPM), has swept through the evangelical Christian Church. Theophostic Ministry (or “God’s Light” as coined from the Greek by its creator, Ed Smith) has both proponents and opponents in the Christian community.1 The prayer form has become a hot topic in many churches seeking revival and congregational transformation.

What is Theophostic? Who is using it? What does the research show? In this article I endeavor to answer the above questions, as well as to address some of the common theological questions that arise when discussing Theophostic Ministry. I do this from the perspective of a clinical researcher rather than a proponent or opponent of TPM. Such a stance can be quite challenging at times because of the strong feelings proponents and opponents of the ministry have (the stories I could tell you!). Nevertheless, whenever possible, I’ll try to give information to substantiate what I’m saying rather than making non-evidence-based statements. One final caveat, the TPM description offered here is brief and should not be construed as sufficient training to permit the reader to utilize the prayer form. Please see Ed Smith’s website (www.theophostic.com) for training materials and requirements.

What Is Theophostic Ministry?

Theophostic Ministry (TPM) is a form of inner healing prayer (sometimes known as healing of memory prayer). These prayer approaches are intended to facilitate the client’s ability to process emotionally painful memories that appear to harm the client’s present emotional and spiritual condition. In TPM’s case, a detailed basic treatment manual, an audio/video course for practitioners, an advanced training seminar, a manual written to prepare clients to receive Theophostic Ministry, and an apprenticeship training program exist to facilitate training. More than 30,000 people have taken the basic Theophostic training, and Smith estimates that more than 300,000 Christians have received some type of ministry using TPM.2 Testimonials of TPM’s efficacy abound and some psychologists and ministers have already endorsed Theophostic as a helpful therapeutic intervention.3

TPM’s primary focus involves dealing with harmful, unbiblical beliefs (“lies” as described by Smith) that produce the client’s current emotional distress.

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