Walking the Camino and Finding Gratitude: Caring for the Soul in Ministry: Rachel Metheny on Spiritual Practices and Ministry

In this insightful episode of "To Be and Do," host Phil Amerson welcomes Dr. Rachel Metheny, pastor at Meridian Street Church, for an honest and inspiring conversation about soul care, joy, and navigating the complexities of ministry in a modern world. The episode opens with Phil Amerson asking how Rachel Metheny maintains her own spiritual energy amidst the demands of leading a wealthy, vibrant congregation. What follows is a lively exploration of hiking, gratitude, family, and the wider implications of community and belonging.

Key Takeaways:

1. Soul Care through Walking and Pilgrimage:
2. Rachel Metheny shares how walking and hiking have become vital practices for her sanity and spiritual renewal. She recounts preparing for a group pilgrimage on the El Camino in Spain, reflecting on previous hiking adventures—from Machu Picchu to a 9-day trek in the Dolomites—emphasizing the restorative power of physical challenge and nature. These activities help her get out of her head, push boundaries, and reflect on life’s beauty.
3. Sports and Joy as Spiritual Practice:
4. Rooted in Indiana culture, sports like IU football and basketball provide Rachel Metheny with a joyful respite from the negativity saturating news cycles. She describes intentionally fostering an environment of joy and gratitude within her church, recognizing the therapeutic impact of focusing on what brings happiness and what can be celebrated, especially in worship.
5. Family and Community as Anchors:
6. When asked about meaningful objects, Rachel Metheny points to her family as her true “totem.” She speaks lovingly of their unwavering support—her parents have attended every church she’s served—and how their lessons in joy and community shaped her spirit. This emphasis on connection highlights the podcast’s central theme of interdependence over mere independence.
7. Real Stories of Immigration and Resilience:
8. Drawing from time spent in Guatemala and El Salvador, Rachel Metheny offers a personal lens on the realities faced by immigrants and refugees, explaining how those experiences inform her ministry and advocacy. She describes moments of fear and hope, both among her congregants and within families the church has supported through social service initiatives.
9. Redefining Church and Community:
10. The conversation explores what church truly means, moving past mere attendance to embrace wider spiritual and communal bonds. Both Phil Amerson and Rachel Metheny argue that the heart of church is in shared experiences and relationships—not just buildings or Sunday services—invoking powerful imagery of starting afresh with “a table, a loaf of bread, and a bottle of wine.”

Summary:

This episode is a testament to the everyday practices that sustain spiritual leaders, the importance of joy and gratitude, and the power of shared journeys—literal and metaphorical. It also invites listeners to rethink church and community as vibrant, living networks of support and hope.

Tune in for inspiration, practical wisdom, and heartfelt stories that remind us to celebrate what brings us joy, lean into community, and never underestimate the healing power of a good walk.