What Neuroscience and the Gospel Have in Common
I want to address something I hear occasionally when I introduce PQ to pastors: a hesitation. “Isn’t this just psychology?” “How does this fit with faith?” “Should I be concerned that this is secular?”
It’s a fair question, and I want to answer it honestly.
Yes, Positive Intelligence is rooted in neuroscience and cognitive psychology. Shirzad Chamine drew on research from Harvard, Stanford, and positive psychology to develop the framework. It is a scientifically grounded program.
And — I have watched it deepen people’s faith, enrich their prayer life, and help them embody the gospel more fully than almost anything else I’ve encountered in ministry support.
“Be Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind”
Romans 12:2 has always been the theme verse for Clergy Life Coaching. But how, exactly, does the renewing of the mind happen? For most of us, we’ve relied on prayer, Scripture, worship, and community — all essential, all irreplaceable. PQ doesn’t replace any of these. It strengthens the inner architecture that allows them to take root.
Pastor Scott W, a pastor who went through the program, put it better than I could:
▌ “What I appreciate most is how naturally PQ integrates with Christian discipleship. It doesn’t replace prayer, Scripture, or sacrament; it strengthens the inner muscles that help me live Romans 12:2 — being transformed by the renewing of my mind. The practices are brief, sustainable, and eminently doable in a pastor’s busy schedule.” — Pastor Scott W
An Anglican priest described how PQ became woven into his spiritual life:
▌ “I started using the Positive Intelligence App as part of my daily rhythm. It has worked as a wonderful companion to my prayer life and has become an invaluable tool to enhance my mental well-being, personal spirituality, and public ministry.” — Anglican Priest
The Sage Sounds Like the Spirit
In PQ, the Sage represents the wisest, most grounded part of us — the part that responds with curiosity, empathy, creativity, and love. In the Christian tradition, we might recognize this as the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
The Saboteurs, by contrast, produce anxiety, defensiveness, judgment, and control. We are not the first generation to notice the war between our best and worst selves.
Deacon Tammy Devine, who is herself a Professional Certified Coach, described her PQ journey in explicitly spiritual terms:
▌ “As a practitioner of whole-person well-being, I value caring for my body, mind, and spirit. Positive Intelligence has provided a tool for me to practice my mental fitness. Practice, commitment, accountability, and intention builds strength and endurance.” — Deacon Tammy Devine, Professional Certified Coach
A Practice for This Month
This month, try integrating a PQ rep into an existing spiritual practice:
- Before you open your Bible in the morning, spend 60 seconds in a body-focused PQ rep. Arrive in your body before you engage your mind.
- Before you pray with someone, take three deep breaths. Let your Sage lead the prayer rather than your anxiety.
- When you feel a Saboteur voice rising during worship preparation, label it and release it with a brief PQ rep. Then return to the text.
Mental fitness and spiritual formation are not competing disciplines. They are allies. And for a pastor carrying the weight of ministry in this cultural moment, you need both.
Free Resource: Guide to the Inner Voices of Ministry — a one-page reference showing all the Saboteur voices, their impact in ministry, and the Sage shift that counters each one.
Send an email with the subject line “tell me more.” to: barbara@clergylifecoaching.com
