Welcome to the first 2026 edition of Pastoral Vibe-ology, an imprint of Pastoral Theology with Joseph Lear.
In this unserious sub-Substack, I’ll guide you in cultivating your personal pastoral aura and collective church atmosphere.
JANUARY 2026 VIBBBBBBBBBE
We all know someone who’s made a new year’s resolution to get into physical shape. Maybe that someone is yourself. What’s often forgotten is that we also need to get our souls into shape. With that in mind, I’m declaring January’s vibe is SPIRITUAL HEALTH.
It’s time to
GIRD UP YOUR LOINS 👖
PICK UP YOUR CROSS ✝️
And RUN THE RACE SET BEFORE YOU 💨🏃♂️➡️
💪 Sounds like a great workout, doesn’t it?! 💪
It’s for your SOUL.
💥SERMON IDEAs
There’s Another in the Sauna: He’s in the room! (feat. Tasha Cobbs Leonard).
Do Not Let Your Heart Be Troubled: Cardio for the Soul
Low Carb Spirituality: Sacrificing the Fat to the Lord
There is No Health in My Bones (Psalm 38:3): Osteoporosis of the Soul and the The Rib of the Second Adam
Remember that it’s really, really, really important to SHARE the VIBE to be part of the VIBE 👇👇👇
Theological SHIFT →:
To better live into the VIBE of Spiritual Health, we’re shifting how we talk about our lives and theology to make our lives theological, and our theology lively.
→Health begins with small habits that ready the mind for action. So, this month we’re making our bed every day to fulfill the Scriptures: RISE PICK UP YOUR BED AND WALK.
→We’re calling the Lord’s Supper our spiritual SUPPLEMENT 💊💊💊
→And we’re calling the Revised Common Lectionary the healthy portions MY PLATE of the church:
SPONSOR SHOUT OUT
This month’s SPIRITUAL HEALTH vibe is sponsored by
The balm of Gilead
Got a skin disease? Leprosy? Swelling, Rash, or Discolored Skin (Lev 13)?
Try the BALM OF GILEAD
🧴The oil of gladness that heals all your diseases🧴
Your uncleanness shall be consumed and you shall be clean.*
(Side effects include angry Pharisees, Sabbath violation, and consecration to the Lord’s service)
*ineffective without faith
Finally…The SOUL HEALTH benediction
Beloved, I pray that all may go well for you and that you may be in good HEALTH, just as it goes well with your soul (3 Jn 2).
May the LORD restore you to full HEALTH on your sickbed (Ps 41:3)
And may you leap like a calf from the stall as the sun of righteousness rises with HEALING in its wings (Mal 4:2)
Stay strong. Stay soulful. Stay healthy.
KEEP SPIRITUAL HEALTH
KEEP THE VIBE