Breathe, Believe, Lead: Aromatic Insight for Church Leaders
Who cares for the shepherd? If you carry the weight of your congregation’s needs, your own doubts, and a calling that never clocks out, this book is an invitation to pause, breathe, and be renewed in Christ.
In Breathe, Believe, Lead, Pastor Paula Behrens, a retired United Methodist elder and Certified Aroma Freedom Technique Practitioner, shows church leaders how the God-given gift of aroma can support rest, reflection, and prayer. From the incense of the tabernacle to the spikenard Mary poured on Jesus’ feet, Scripture is full of fragrance. Pastor Paula connects that biblical heritage to the Aroma Freedom Technique (AFT), a coaching process that uses our sense of smell to help us let go of the doubts and old hurts that keep us stuck.
Inside, you’ll discover:
• A Christ-centered foundation: why oils are a gift of creation, not a spiritual power, and why our freedom comes from Christ alone
• Clearing the emotional clutter: making room to hear the leading of the Holy Spirit in your sermons, counseling, and decisions
• Growth, transformation, and discernment: the parables of Matthew 13 and the frankincense of the tabernacle as a picture of renewal
• What happens in an AFT session: what to expect when you meet with a certified practitioner by Zoom
• Bringing AFT to your church: how to host a workshop or retreat while a practitioner leads the AFT process and you care for your people as their pastor
• Imagine the possibilities: illustrations of pastors who rediscover joy in sermon preparation, energy for ministry, and deeper empathy for their congregations
Perfect for:
• pastors, priests, and ministry staff who need soul care of their own
• district superintendents and church leaders guiding others through seasons of change
• anyone curious about using essential oils in a way that honors Christ
From the author’s preface: “It is my heartfelt prayer that it may be blessed and magnified by the Lord for His greater glory.”
About the author
Pastor Paula Behrens is a retired elder in the United Methodist Church who served as senior pastor of ten churches over 21 years. She is a Christian coach, a Certified Aroma Freedom Technique Practitioner offering sessions by Zoom, and host of the Living on Purpose In Christ podcast.
Revised Edition (2026). Available in paperback and Kindle.
