Healthy Seminarians-Healthy Church is deeply committed to helping seminary communities, clergy, and church members connect their theology to their own health and that of their families, communities, and the world.  We offer practical and scientifically based opportunities for participants to engage their health theologically so that they can live into the abundant life God offers.  Through education, research, and advocacy, we provide tools for achieving greater health, wholeness, and service.

“Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

History of HSHC 

HSHC was established as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization as well as a validated ministry of Trinity Presbytery (SC) in fall 2014.  It grew out of co-founders Karen and Travis Webster’s passion for a holistic vision of wellness–including fitness, nutrition, and a sustainable lifestyle–that supports greater health for all of God’s people and creation.  Their own wellness journeys and those of their fellow seminarians confirmed the research showing that pastors, as well as the general population, continue to struggle to find wholeness in all areas of life–spiritual, mental, physical, emotional, and beyond.  Together they reflected on how they could share what they had learned about these troubling patterns to assist their fellow seminarians, clergy, and congregations in living life more holistically.  HSHC was born out of God’s call on Karen and Travis to share their passion for the interconnected nature of wellness in ministry with seminarians and churches.

About the Co-Founders

Karen and Travis grew up in Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations (Karen in California and Travis in South Carolina), met while attending Princeton Theological Seminary (Princeton, NJ), and married in 2003.  The interconnection of mind, body, and spirit, as well as the need for an integrated approach to total health and wholeness, has been a consistent theme throughout both of their lives. Their journey toward holistic health began during their teenage years, when both Karen and Travis became greatly interested in the physical, communal, and ecological impact of people’s food choices. This first focus on food prompted them to explore the many other interdependent aspects of health–such as spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental–in a life of relationship to self, community, and God. Together, Karen and Travis are focused on living out their understanding of holistic abundant life for themselves and for the good of all creation.

Both Karen and Travis are available to consult with seminaries, churches, and denominational groups to implement programs that care for people and all creation.

Our Vision and Values

At HSHC, we recognize that seminarians and clergy often face significant challenges to their health (physically, mentally, spiritually, relationally, and beyond). We seek to raise awareness by offering practical tools and equipping church leaders to become agents of transformation within their communities. In all things—curricula, culture, and ethos—HSHC prioritizes health both pedagogically and practically, cultivating habits of wholeness at every level.

We do this by:

• Consulting with and educating seminary and faith communities on how to model theologically-grounded wholeness;
• Developing and sharing practical, accessible resources;
• Modeling and promoting healthier habits; and
• Advocating for institutional change within seminaries, divinity schools, and denominations.

Guided by both theological and scientific understandings of wellness, we are committed to:

• Honoring the interconnectedness of all creation;
• Creating a welcoming, non-judgmental space for all participants, regardless of where they are in their wellness journey;
• Practicing integrity and authenticity in our own health and organizational life;
• Encouraging whole-food, plant-based, sustainable, and zero-waste practices;
• Partnering with mission-aligned organizations;
• Building a sustainable future for our work and our world.

Strategic Plan

HSHC Board of Directors adopted our most recent strategic plan on December 2, 2022.  We invite you to check it out by clicking here!

Interested in learning more? Contact Us