Spiritual Healthcare; One Extraordinary Church

CALLED A SILENT REVOLUTION IN DAVID TERESHCHUK REPORTS THAT THERE'S MORE AND MORE SPIRITUAL CARE.

>>> ALSO, LUCKY SEVERSON PROFILES A TATTOOED PASTOR IN DENVER.

SHE SAYS HER CONGREGATION IS RELIGIOUS BUT NOT SPIRITUAL.

♪ RETIREMENT COMPANY.

>>> WELCOME, I'M BOB ABERNETHY.

IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU WITH US.

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRIAL, CANDIDATES HAVE MADE SEVERAL RELIGIOUS STOPS IN RECENT DAYS, WITH MIXED RECEPTIONS.

THIS WEEK, DONALD TRUMP WENT TO A UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN FLINT, MICHIGAN, TO THANK THE PREDOMINANTLY BLACK CONGREGATION FOR HELPING PEOPLE DURING THE WATER CRISIS.

BUT THE PASTOR CUT HIM OFF WHEN HE STARTED TO CRITICIZE HILLARY CLINTON.

>> EVERYTHING SHE TOUCHED DIDN'T WORK OUT.

NOTHING.

NOW, HILLARY CLINTON -- >> MR. TRUMP, I INVITED YOU HERE TO THANK US FOR WHAT WE'VE DONE FOR FLINT, NOT TO GIVE A POLITICAL SPEECH.

>> OKAY, THAT'S GOOD.

>> LAST WEEK, TRUMP SPOKE AT THE VALUES VOTER SUMMIT IN WASHINGTON AND GOT STRONG APPLAUSE WHEN HE PROMISED TO REPEAL A MEASURE THAT BANS CLERGY FROM ENDORSING CANDIDATES FROM THE PULPIT HE JOKED THAT THAT WOULD BE THE ONLY WAY HE COULD GET INTO HEAVEN.

>>> ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE, VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TIM KAINE VISITED 16TH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA.

53 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK, 4 YOUNG GIRLS WERE KILLED WHEN THE CHURCH WAS BOMBED.

KAINE, WHO IS CATHOLIC, ALSO GENERATED SOME CONTROVERSY THIS WEEK WHEN HE PREDICTED THAT HIS CHURCH WOULD ONE DAY SUPPORT GAY MARRIAGE.

THE CHURCH HAS REMAINED ADAMANT IN ITS OPPOSITION.

>>> LATE LAST WEEK, BEFORE HER PNEUMONIA DIAGNOSIS WAS MADE PUBLIC, HILLARY CLINTON SPOKE TO THE NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION, ONE OF THE LARGEST AND OLDEST AFRICAN-AMERICAN DENOMINATIONS.

SHE TOLD THE GROUP HER METHODIST FAITH HAS HELPED HER DEAL WITH HER MISTAKES.

>> EVERYONE HERE TODAY HAS STUMBLED ON THEIR OWN STONY PATHS.

IT'S GRACE THAT LIFTS US UP, GRACE THAT LEADS US HOME.

>>> MEANWHILE, FAITH-BASED ACTIVISTS CONTINUE THEIR GRASSROOTS MOBILIZATION.

IN SOME 30 STATES THIS WEEK, RELIGIOUS MODERATES AND LIBERALS HELD RALLIES ON WHAT THEY CALLED THEIR MORAL ISSUES -- POVERTY, IMMIGRATION AND MASS INCARCERATION.

>>> AS THE UNITED NATIONS AND PRESIDENT OBAMA PREPARE TO HOST SUMMITS NEXT WEEK TO DISCUSS THE REFUGEE CRISIS, FAITH AND HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS GATHERED TO PRESS THE UNITED STATES TO DO MORE.

>> LIKE FOLLOWERS OF OTHER RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS, JEWS HAVE A SACRED OBLIGATION TO HELP THE REFUGEE.

WE READ IN LEVITICUS, "THE STRANGER WHO SOJOURNS WITH YOU SHALL BE TO YOU AS THE NATIVE AMONG YOU, FOR YOU WERE STRANGERS IN THE LAND OF EGYPT."

>> MEANWHILE, THE WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCED THAT IT WILL TRY TO TAKE IN 110,000 REFUGEES FROM AROUND THE WORLD IN THE COMING FISCAL YEAR.

THAT WOULD BE A NEARLY 30% INCREASE FROM THE 85,000 ADMITTED IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

OFFICIALS SAID THAT REFUGEES WOULD CONTINUE TO BE SUBJECT TO A RIGOROUS SCREENING PROCESS THAT TYPICALLY LASTS MORE THAN A YEAR.

>>> THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES AND, IN THE U.S., THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES CALLED THIS WEEK FOR ISRAEL TO END ITS NEARLY 50-YEAR OCCUPATION OF THE WEST BANK.

"THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE," THEY SAID, "MUST BE BROKEN."

>>> AUTHORITIES IN FLORIDA HAVE ARRESTED A MAN FOR SETTING A FIRE THAT HEAVILY DAMAGED THE MOSQUE ORLANDO GUNMAN OMAR MATEEN ATTENDED.

THE ISLAMIC CENTER OF FORT PIERCE WAS SET ON FIRE JUST AFTER THE 15th ANNIVERSARY OF THE 9/11 TERROR ATTACKS, AND AT THE START OF THE MUSLIM HOLIDAY EID AL-ADHA.

32-YEAR-OLD JOSEPH MICHAEL SCHREIBER FACES UP TO 30 YEARS IN PRISON IF CONVICTED.

INVESTIGATORS SAID HE POSTED ANTI-ISLAMIC COMMENTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

>>> MUSLIMS HAVE SURPASSED ATHEISTS AS THE MOST UNPOPULAR GROUP IN THE U.S.

ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, AMERICANS' DISAPPROVAL OF MUSLIMS JUMPED TO 45.5% FROM JUST OVER 26% 10 YEARS AGO.

ALMOST HALF OF THOSE SURVEYED SAID THEY WOULD DISAPPROVE OF THEIR CHILD MARRYING A MUSLIM.

THE STUDY ALSO FOUND ABOUT 40% OF AMERICANS SAY ATHEISTS "DO NOT AT ALL AGREE" WITH THEIR VISION OF AMERICA.

THE RESEARCHERS FOUND THAT MANY ASSOCIATE ATHEISTS WITH "CRIMINALITY."

>>> WE HAVE A SPECIAL REPORT TODAY ON WHAT SOME HAVE CALLED A SILENT REVOLUTION GOING ON IN HOSPITALS -- MORE AND MORE SPIRITUAL CARE FOR PATIENTS ALONG WITH THE MEDICAL.

THE MOVEMENT IS SAID TO BE IMPROVING HEALTH CARE AND PATIENT SATISFACTION, AS DAVID TERESHCHUK REPORTS.

>> Reporter: BEING ADMITTED TO A MODERN AMERICAN HOSPITAL CAN BE A SOUL-LESS EXPERIENCE.

YOU'LL ENCOUNTER A WORLD OF MACHINES AND ELECTRONICS, AND SOMETIMES DOCTORS WHO POSSESS LIFE-SAVING SKILLS BUT WHO CAN APPEAR IMPERSONAL.

SOME OF THEM THESE DAYS HAVE EVEN BEEN TRAINED, IN PART AT LEAST, ON COMPUTERIZED ROBOTIC MANNEQUINS IN PLACE OF HUMAN PATIENTS.

>> IN THE MEDICAL INDUSTRIALIZED LARGE COMPLEX, PERHAPS SOMEONE FEELS UNCONNECTED BECAUSE OF THEIR DIAGNOSIS, BECAUSE OF, YOU KNOW, THE FEAR, THAT ULTIMATE EXISTENTIAL, ULTIMATE SPIRITUAL QUESTION, "WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME?"

>> A LOT OF SPIRITUAL AND EXISTENTIAL QUESTIONS COME UP.

WE'RE ALL ONE BEING.

WE HAVE A PHYSICAL ASPECT, AN EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, AND SPIRITUAL.

>> Reporter: SO SPIRITUAL @I A=9M "u——PáIENTS' NEEDS ARE NOW GAINING GREATER GROUND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY'S HOSPITALS.

HELPING TO LEAD THE MOVEMENT IS DR. CHRISTINA PUCHALSKI, WHO IS DIRECTOR OF GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY'S INSTITUTE FOR SPIRITUALITY & HEALTH.

PART OF THE MEDICAL SCHOOL.

AND THE MOVEMENT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED BY A RECENT U.S. SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AS "A SILENT REVOLUTION."

>> THIS IS A SILENT REVOLUTION TO TRANSFORM HEALTHCARE SO THAT EVERY PERSON CAN HAVE THEIR INNER LIFE, THEIR SPIRITUALITY ADDRESSED AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THEIR CARE.

>> Reporter: ONE OF NEW YORK CITY'S BIGGEST AND BUSIEST MEDICAL CENTERS IS MOUNT SINAI, ORIGINALLY JEWISH AND LATER CATERING TO ALL FAITHS, AND NONE.

NOW, LIKE MANY HOSPITALS, IT IS PUTTING MORE AND MORE EMPHASIS ON THE SPIRITUAL CARE OF ITS PATIENTS.

THE FRONT LINE TROOPS FOR THIS APPROACH ARE, OF COURSE, HOSPITAL CHAPLAINS, AND HERE A NEW BATCH OF THEM HAVE BEEN UNDERGOING SPECIALIST TRAINING AT MOUNT SINAI AND WINNING THEIR CHAPLAIN DIPLOMAS.

THE CLASS INCLUDES RABBIS AND MUSLIM TRAINEES, AND ALSO FATHER RICK BAUER, A CATHOLIC MARYKNOLL MISSIONARY.

HIS NEW VOEL IS -- ROLE IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE 20 YEARS HE SPENT WORKING IN AFRICAN COUNTRIES.

HE PLAYED A LEADING PART IN BEATING DOWN THE PREVALENCE OF AIDS IN NAMIBIA, AND WITH THAT SUCCESS BEHIND HIM HE IS NOW LEARNING TO GET UP-CLOSE-AND-PERSONAL WITH EACH INDIVIDUAL HOSPITAL PATIENTS.

>> MORE THAN ANY OTHER OF THE WORKERS AND HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, THE CHAPLAIN HAS THE ABILITY AND THE JOB TO BE PRESENT, TOTALLY PRESENT TO YOU AND LISTENING TO YOU.

>> Reporter: PRESIDING OVER BAUER'S AND THE OTHER CHAPLAINS' TRAINING IS THE MEDICAL SCHOOL'S DIRECTOR FOR SPIRITUALITY AND HEALTH, DR. DEBORAH MARIN.

SHE SEES HER CHAPLAINS AS CRUCIAL TO HEALTH CARE'S NEW GROWING EMPHASIS ON SPIRITUAL MATTERS.

MATTERS.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF DATA THAT SHOWS ONE ONE IS SICK THEY HAVE A SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE.

THE CHAPLAIN COULD INVOLVE YOU IN UNDERSTANDING WHAT YOUR STRUGGLE IS ABOUT, AND AMELIORATING THAT STRUGGLE BY HAVING A BETTER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD OR YOUR RELIGION.

>> MY TASK IS TO HELP ANOTHER PERSON GET MEANING OR OFFER THEM MEANING.

SOMETIMES THAT COMES FROM MY OWN TRADITION.

>> Reporter: LIKE ALL FULLY TRAINED AND CERTIFIED CHAPLAINS, BAUER WILL MINISTER NO OTT ONLY TO PATIENTS WHO SHARE HIS OWN CATHOLIC BACKGROUND.

HE WILL ALSO -- IF NEED BE, AND IF HE'S WANTED -- PROVIDE HIS SERVICES TO THOSE OF OTHER FAITHS AND TO PEOPLE OF NO FAITH.

>> MANY PATIENTS THAT COME TO MOUNT SINAI, AND UNDER THE LITTLE "RELIGION" BLOCK IT SAYS "NONE" OR "PATIENT DECLINED".

AND I STILL GO IN AND DO MY LINE AND INTRODUCE MYSELF AS "SPIRITUAL CARE," "RELIGIOUS CARE," OR JUST THE GUY YOU CAN CHAT WITH.

>> Reporter: BAUER RECALLS ONE PATIENT WHO SAID HE HAD NO RELIGION, NO SPIRITUALITY.

HIS DOCTORS TOLD HIM CURATIVE TREATMENT WOULD NO LONGER WORK WITH HIS DISEASE AND HE BECAME DEEPLY AGITATED AND DISTRESSED.

>> HE WAS HAVING A LOT OF SHORTNESS OF BREATH.

WHEN I ASKED WHAT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HIM AT THIS MOMENT, HE NAMED HIS FAVORITE SINGER, AND SO I TOOK OUT MY iPHONE AND STARTED PLAYING IT FOR HIM.

I USED THE MUSIC, I USED MY HAND ON HIS HEART IN KIND OF A GENERAL MEDITATION, AND I GOT HIM TO SLEEP IN 20 MINUTES.

AND WE KEPT DOING THAT.

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE INSTITUTIONAL BENEFITS, AS WELL, FROM HAVING SPIRITUAL CARE CLOSE LY ALLIED WITH PHYSICAL TREATMENT, ACCORDING TO DR. MARIN.

IS NOW ALSO A VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE ENTIRE MOUNT SINAI HEALTH SYSTEM, COVERING SEVEN NEW YORK HOSPITALS.

>> WE ANALYZE A VERY LARGE DATA SET.

AND PATIENTS WHO SAW A CHAPLAIN WERE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE LIKELY TO FEEL THEIR SPIRITUAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS WERE MET, BUT ALSO FELT THEIR EXPERIENCE IN THE HOSPITAL WAS BETTER.

>> Reporter: AND THE IMPACT IS MATERIAL AS WELL AS EMOTIONAL, EVEN REGISTERING IN THE SYSTEM'S FINANCES.

HOW HIGH A HOSPITAL SCORES IN SURVEYS OF SO-CALLED "PATIENT SATISFACTION" GREATLY INFLUENCES HOW MUCH FEDERAL FUNDING IT WILL GET.

>> 30% OF WHAT'S CALLED THE "BUCKET" THAT HOSPITALS HOPE TO GET FROM MEDICARE EVERY YEAR IS BASED ON PATIENT SATISFACTION.

SO THE FACT THAT WE CONTRIBUTED TO A BETTER SCORE ON PATIENT SATISFACTION, THAT'S REAL MONEY >> Reporter: BUT IS THERE EVIDENCE THAT IT ACTUALLY IMPROVES A PATIENT'S MEDICAL CONDITION?

DR. PUCHALSKI AT GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY BELIEVES THERE ARE REAL SIGNS THAT IT DOES.

A BELIEF ROOTED NOT JUST IN HER ACADEMIC WORK BUT ALSO IN HER PRACTICAL INITIATIVES AT THE HOSPITAL.

>> SO WE COME UP WITH A PLAN, SAY, THAT PEOPLE WOULD MEDITATE.

THAT PERSON MIGHT MEDITATE 20 MINUTES A DAY AND MONITOR THEIR BLOOD PRESSURE AND SEE IF THERE'S AN EFFECT, AND USUALLY THERE IS A POSITIVE EFFECT, AND SEE WHERE WE CAN BALANCE BETWEEN MEDICATIONS AND THEIR SPIRITUAL PRACTICE.

>> Reporter: MEDICAL STUDIES INCREASINGLY INDICATE THAT BETTER TREATMENT RESULTS WILL FOLLOW WHEN PATIENTS CAN CALL UPON SPIRITUAL RESOURCES.

>> THERE'S MANY STUDIES IN CARDIOLOGY, ONE IS ADDRESSING PATIENT'S SPIRITUAL BELIEFS WITHIN THE CLINICAL SETTING, AND THE STUDY SHOWS IMPROVED COPING AND SOME BETTER HEALTH CARE OUTCOMES.

>> THERE IS A STUDY THAT LOOKED AT CONGESTIVE HEART-FAILURE PATIENTS AND IN THAT STUDY THE AUTHORS FOUND THAT CHAPLAIN VISITS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH LESS MORTALITY IN CONGESTIVE HEART-FAILURE PATIENTS OVER TIME.

>> Reporter: SUCH STUDIES CONFIRM FOR DR. PUCHALSKI HER NEED TO ATTEND TO PATIENTS IN MORE THAN A PURELY MEDICAL MANNER.

AS AN INTERNIST AND PALLIATIVE PHYSICIAN SHE WILL OFTEN SEE A PATIENT ALONG WITH A CLINICAL TEAM THAT INCLUDES NOT JUST A PSYCHIATRIST AND A SOCIAL WORKER, BUT A CHAPLAIN, TOO.

>> IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT YOUR PHYSICAL STORY.

SO IT'S SAYING TO PATIENTS, WE WANT TO HEAR EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU.

WE WANT TO HEAR ABOUT WHAT GIVES YOU MEANING.

WE WANT TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR SPIRITUALITY.

WE WANT TO HEAR ABOUT WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT YOUR ILLNESS.

>> Reporter: JANICE SYLVESTER, A LONGTIME PATIENT OF DR. PUCHALSKI, IS CONVINCED THAT THE GEORGE WASHINGTON APPROACH, INTEGRATING THE SPIRITUAL ALONG WITH THE MEDICAL, HAS HELPED ENORMOUSLY IN HER HEALTH STRUGGLES, INCLUDING SURGERY AND OTHER TREATMENT FOR BREAST - CANCER.

>> I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT DR. PUCHALSKI'S FAITH IS, BUT WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT SHE KNOWS THAT MY FAITH IS IMPORTANT TO ME, I'M A CHRISTIAN, I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST.

THAT'S LIKE THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN MY WORLD, AND SHE KNOWS FOR ME THAT IF I'M BEING NEGLIGENT ABOUT THAT RELATIONSHIP, WELL THEN, I'M PROBABLY PUTTING MORE STRESS ON ME THAN IS NECESSARY, AND THAT STRESS CAN LEAD TO SOME OF MY AILMENTS.

>> Reporter: AT THE INSTITUTE DOCTORS MAY REHEARSE THEIR SKILLS ON ROBOTS SOMETIMES, BUT THEY ARE ALSO TENDING WITH FRESH DETERMINATION TO THE LESS TANGIBLE, VERY HUMAN NATURE OF THEIR PATIENTS, INCLUDING THEIR BELIEFS.

>> YOU CAN'T PRACTICE EXCELLENT PATIENT CARE IF YOU DON'T PRACTICE EXCELLENT SPIRITUAL IT'S NOT SO MUCH CREATING HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS, BUT CREATING CARING SYSTEMS OF HEALTH.

>> Reporter: FOR "RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY," THIS IS DAVID TERESHCHUK REPORTING FROM .

>>> WE HAVE A STORY TODAY ON THE DRAMATICALLY UNCONVENTIONAL HOUSE FOR ALL SINNERS AND SAINTS IN DENVER.

THE CHURCH IS LED BY NADIA BOLZ-WEBER, A PASTOR IN THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA.

SHE TOLD LUCKY SEVERSON HER TEACHINGS, LANGUAGE AND TATTOOS SYMBOLIZE HER ACCEPTANCE OF EVERYONE, JUST AS THEY ARE.

>> MY NAME IS NADIA BOLZ-WEBER.

I AM A PASTOR IN THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA.

MAYBE YOU'VE HEARD OF THAT?

>> Reporter: IT'S BEEN SAID THAT THIS TATTOO-ADORNED PASTOR IS TRYING TO REINVENT THE IDEA OF CHURCH.

SHE WOULD ARGUE THAT SHE HAS SIMPLY REDISCOVERED IT.

>> SO MUCH OF SPIRITUALITY IS ABOUT SORT OF SANDING OURSELVES DOWN, YOU KNOW, SMOOTHING OURSELVES OUT SO THAT WE'RE NICE AND SHINY.

BUT THE FACT IS, IS THAT I THINK THE JAGGED EDGES OF OUR HUMANITY ARE WHAT ACTUALLY CONNECT US TO GOD AND TO ONE ANOTHER.

>> Reporter: HER CHURCH IN DENVER IS CALLED THE HOUSE FOR ALL SINNERS AND SAINTS.

LIKE ITS PASTOR, THIS IS NOT A TYPICAL CONGREGATION.

TAKE STUART SANKS.

HE WAS ONE OF THE EARLIEST MEMBERS, A DRAG QUEEN KNOWN HERE AS THE MINISTER OF FABULOUSNESS.

>> I DON'T HAVE TO CHECK ANY PIECE OF MYSELF AT THE DOOR.

I CAN BRING ALL OF ME, MY WILD SOCKS AND SHOES AND, YOU KNOW, FUNNY T-SHIRTS AND EARRINGS AND WHATEVER.

YOU KNOW, I CAN BRING ALL OF THAT STUFF WITH ME, JUST LIKE PEOPLE CAN BRING THEIR QUESTIONS AND THEIR DOUBT AND THEIR UNBELIEF.

>> Reporter: STUART LEFT HIS OLD CHURCH BECAUSE HE FELT MARGINALIZED BY THE MEMBERS.

>> THEY WANT TO BE SEEN AS ACCEPTING, SO THEY'RE LIKE, "WE'LL LOVE ANYONE WHO COMES TO US," BUT THEN SOMEONE WHO'S MAGNIFICENT LIKE STUART SHOWS UP, AND HE'S LIKE, "HEY, I MIGHT WANT TO HELP RUN THE KIDS PROGRAM."

THEY'RE LIKE, "WELL, WE CAN'T ALLOW THAT."

>> Reporter: CARINA DUHADWAY HAD BEEN ACTIVE IN CHURCH FOR MOST OF HER LIFE, UNTIL SHE FELT LIKE AN OUTCAST WHEN SHE ANNOUNCED SHE WAS GAY.

AND THEN SHE DISCOVERED THE HOUSE.

>> FINDING THIS CHURCH WAS PRETTY, I DON'T KNOW -- >> Reporter: FORTUITOUS?

>> I GUESS FORTUITOUS, YEAH.

I WAS IN A REALLY, KIND OF, PLACE WHERE I WAS VERY DESPONDENT AND WAS READY TO LEAVE THE CHURCH.

>> Reporter: AT FIRST, LORISSA BRUN)K WORKING MOM WITH THREE KIDS, FELT VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AT THE HOUSE.

>> IT BLEW ME AWAY.

I JUST -- I HAD JUST NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE IT, THE MIX OF THE KIND OF THE RECOVERY, TRUTH-TELLING, HONESTY.

I WOULD LOOK ACROSS THE ROOM AND THINK, "GOD IS LOOKING AT ME," AND IT CHANGED ME.

>> THE LORD BE WITH YOU.

>> Reporter: NADIA BOLZ-WEBER HAS GIVEN SPEECHES ALL OVER THE WORLD, WRITTEN TWO "NEW YORK TIMES" BESTSELLING BOOKS.

HER MOST RECENT IS CALLED "ACCIDENTAL SAINTS, FINDING GOD IN ALL THE WRONG PEOPLE."

FOR THOUSANDS OF FANS, BELIEVERS, THE PASTOR HAS BECOME A RELIGIOUS ICON, BUT SHE SAYS HER PARISHIONERS ARE BETTER CHRISTIANS THAN SHE IS.

>> YOU KNOW, I DO ADMIT SOME FAIRLY INELEGANT THINGS ABOUT MYSELF IN MY PREACHING AND IN MY BOOKS.

BUT FOR ME THERE'S A PURPOSE IN IT, AND IT'S TO SORT OF CREATE A SPACE AROUND ME THAT OTHER PEOPLE CAN STEP INTO TO MAYBE SAFELY CONSIDER THAT THING FOR THEMSELVES.

"MY NAME'S BADGER, BETHANY, LAUREL.

>> I'M JIM, AND I AM THE CHRCH REGARDLESS OF MY SEXUALITY.

>> Reporter: APPROXIMATELY A THIRD OF HER CONGREGATION OF ABOUT 350 ARE IN THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY, BUT NOT ALL.

>> THE JOKE AROUND THE CONGREGATION IS I'M THE TOKEN STRAIGHT WHITE CORPORATE GUY.

>> Reporter: STEPHEN LUDWIG IS A VICE PRESIDENT OF A FORTUNE 500 MARKETING FIRM.

HE WAS RAISED A CATñOLIC, BUT SAYS HE FOUND THAT HIS OLD ATTITUDES ABOUT SIN AND IMPERFECTION HAVE CHANGED SINCE HE STARTED COMING TO THE HOUSE.

>> SO ONE OF THE THINGS NADIA IS WILLING TO DO IS GO FIRST, MEANING SHE'LL TELL ONE ON HERSELF.

BY YOUR PASTOR SAYING, "I'M AN IMPERFECT PERSON," AND IT GIVES ME A HUGE SPACE TO GO, "I'M AN IMPERFECT PERSON.

OH, YOU HAVE DEPRESSION?

GUESS WHAT?

OH, I HAVE DEPRESSION, TOO.

YOUR FAMILY IS MESSED UP?

OH, I HAVE PAIN IN THAT TOO."

>> Reporter: THE PASTOR THINKS RELIGION SHOULD BE ABOUT COMMUNITY AND SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER.

ONCE A MONTH SHE JOINS HER UNUSUAL CONGREGATION FOR A BONDING OUTING LIKE THIS ONE AT AN OLD-TIME DENVER AMUSEMENT PARK.

SHE HAS GRADUATED FROM DRUGS TO PHYSICAL FITNESS, A RECOVERING ALCOHOLIC WHO WAS ONCE A PAGAN AND, OH YES, SHE WAS A STANDUP COMEDIAN.

>> I LITERALLY HAVE NO IDEA HOW ANYBODY MANAGES TO BE A PREACHER WITHOUT BEING A STAND-UP COMIC FIRST.

>> Reporter: BUT AS A PASTOR, SHE IS DEAD SERIOUS.

>> I AM ACTUALLY A VERY ORTHODOX LUTHERAN THEOLOGIAN.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS HER CONGREGATION IS RELIGIOUS BUT NOT SPIRITUAL.

>> AT HOUSE FOR ALL SINNERS AND SAINTS, THE ABSOLUTION WE OFTEN USE GOES LIKE THIS -- "GOD, WHO IS GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL AND SLOW TO ANGER AND ABOUNDING IN STEADFAST LOVE, LOVES YOU AS YOU ARE.

AS A CALLED AND ORDAINED MINISTER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, AND BY HIS AUTHORITY, I DECLARE TO YOU THE ENTIRE FORGIVENESS OF ALL OF YOUR SINS."

NO ONE SAYS THAT [ BLEEP ] TO ME IN YOGA CLASS.

>> Reporter: SHE WAS ORDAINED A PASTOR IN THE ELCA, THE MOST LIBERAL OF LUTHERAN DENOMINATIONS.

BUT SHE WAS RAISED IN A FUNDAMENTALIST CHURCH, WHERE HER FAMILY ATTENDED THREE TIMES A WEEK.

>> IT WAS A SIN-MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, BASICALLY.

I MEAN, THIS CHURCH WAS REALLY ABOUT SAYING YOU KNOW YOU'RE CHRISTIAN IF YOU AVOID DOING THESE NAUGHTY THINGS.

SO THERE'S THE NAUGHTY LIST.

IF YOU'RE GOOD AT NOT DOING THESE THINGS, THAT MEANS YOU'RE A GOOD CHRISTIAN.

>> Reporter: AS A CHILD, SHE SUFFERED FROM GRAVES' DISEASE, AN AUTO-IMMUNE DISORDER THAT CAUSED HER EYES TO BULGE.

>> THERE WASN'T A DAY THAT WENT BY THAT I WASN'T SORT OF, I DIDN'T HAVE A BARRAGE OF INSULTS AND NAME-CALLING THROWN MY WAY.

>> Reporter: SHE GREW UP ANGRY AND BECAME ADDICTED TO DRUGS AND BOOZE WHEN SHE WAS 15, FLUNKED OUT OF PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY.

THEN, OF COURSE, THERE ARE THE TATTOOS, MOSTLY BIBLICAL FIGURES -- LAZAñUS, MARY MAGDALENE, >> SHE'S ANNOUNCING THE RESURRECTION.

AND I LOVE THAT SHE HAS HER FINGER UP, LIKE, LITERALLY, "GUYS, GUYS, I GOTTA TELL YOU SOMETHING."

YOU KNOW?

I LOVE THIS.

>> Reporter: SHE'S MARRIED, WITH A DAUGHTER AND SON, AND VERY PROTECTIVE OF THEIR PRIVACY, AS SHE IS HER CONGREGATION, WHICH IS WHY THERE ARE SO FEW PICTURES OF AN ACTUAL SERVICE AT THE HOUSE WHILE WE WERE THERE.zi &HáhP &HC& WHAT NUDGED NADIA BOLZ-WEBER ON THE PATH TO THE PULPIT WAS WHEN SHE DID A EULOGY FOR A COMEDIAN FRIEND WHO COMMITTED SUICIDE.

THAT WAS THE BEGINNING.

SHE STARTED A STUDY GROUP IN HER HOME.

WENT TO THE ILIFF SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY.

THE REST, AS THEY SAY, IS HISTORY.

SHE HAS ADMIRERS FROM ACROSS THE RELIGIOUS SPECTRUM, LIKE FATHER BOB HART WITH THE ST. THOMAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN DENVER, WHERE HER CONGREGATION HELD ITS SERVICES UNTIL IT FOUND SOMETHING BIGGER IN A FORMER SYNAGOGUE.

>> I'VE WORSHIPPED WITH THEM, AND THEY'RE ACTUALLY -- IT'S A REALLY ENGAGING AND STIMULATING AND INTERESTING BUNCH OF PEOPLE.

I'M SOLD ON IT.

YOU GET THAT SENSE THAT THEY WANT TO WORSHIP TOGETHER, BUT THEY PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE IN CHURCH ON SUNDAY MORNING IN A MORE CONVENTIONAL SETTING.

>> MY SPIRITUALITY HAS DEFINITELY COME FROM THESE ENCOUNTERS WITH PEOPLE I WOULD NEVER CHOOSE OUT OF A CATALOGUE, WHO HAVE -——- WHO CHANGE ME ON A REGULAR BASIS.

>> Reporter: SARAH ADAM STARTED COMING TO THE HOUSE BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO GET UP EARLY.

THE SERVICE IS IN THE AFTERNOON, AND THEY SERVE SNACKS.

BUT THAT'S NOT WHY SHE STAYS.

>> THE PEOPLE HERE ARE INCREDIBLY AUTHENTIC AND REAL AND WILLING TO TALK ABOUT ISSUES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND THINGS THAT ARE NOT GOING WELL IN THEIR LIVES, AND THAT IS SUCH A UNIQUE WAY TO COME AND WORSHIP TOGETHER, BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT ACKNOWLEDGING OUR BROKENNESS INSTEAD OF PRETENDING THAT EVERYTHING IS FINE.

>> Reporter: IN THE BEGINNING, THERE WAS SO MUCH BROKENNESS IN THE HOUSE THE PASTOR DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN SEEMINGLY NORMAL PEOPLE STARTED SHOWING UP.

THEN A YOUNG MEMBER SPOKE UP.

>> HE'S LIKE LISTEN, YOU KNOW, AS THE YOUNG TRANSGENDER KID WHO WAS WELCOMED INTO THIS COMMUNITY I JUST WANT TO GO ON RECORD AS SAYING I'M GLAD THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE MY PARENTS HERE NOW, BECAUSE THEY LOVE ME IN A WAY MY PARENTS CAN'T.

>> Reporter: STEPHEN LUDWIG IS ONE OF THE STRAIGHT MEMBERS.

>> I'M BLESSED.

I FEEL LIKE THEY LET ME COME HERE.

IT'S NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND, RIGHT?

SO THEY'RE DOING ME A FAVOR BY LETTING ME COME, AND SO THIS IDEA LIKE OH, YOU'RE A GAY-FRIENDLY CHURCH.

NONSENSE.

IT'S LIKE THIS IS THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.

>> THAT'S THE THING THAT IS SO PUZZLING TO ME ABOUT CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIANITY IN AMERICA, IS THAT WHAT I READ FROM JESUS, ARE THINGS LIKE THAT THE FIRST SHALL BE LAST AND THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST.

LOOK AT WHO HE HUNG OUT WITH.

LIKE HE BEFRIENDED TAX COLLECTORS AND PROSTITUTES, AND HE KISSED LEPERS.

>> Reporter: SHE IS TRAVELING EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES THIS FALL, PROMOTING HER BOOK AND PREACHING THAT WE ARE ALL BOTH SINNERS AND SAINTS.

FOR "RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY," I'M LUCKY SEVERSON IN DENVER.

♪ RELIGION ARE QUICK TO SAY THEY CAN'T MEASURE SUCH THINGS AS LOVE, BUT BRIAN GRIM OF GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY HAS TRIED TO PUT A DOLLAR VALUE ON RELIGIOUS LIFE.

HE ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THE FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF AMERICA'S 344,000 CONGREGATIONS AND OTHER FAITH-BASED GROUPS ARE WORTH NEARLY $1.2 TRILLION EACH YEAR TO THE U.S. ECONOMY.

>>> THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR NOW.

I'M BOB ABERNETHY.

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AS WE LEAVE YOU, MUSIC FROM THE HOUSE FOR ALL SINNERS AND SAINTS.

♪♪ ♪THAT'S WHY WE ARE YOUR RETIREMENT COMPANY.