How a Church Should Respond When a Pastor Has Mental Health Problems

Published: Jan. 2, 2024, 11 a.m.

b'https://youtu.be/-b_ehLOR_ts
\\n
\\nOne in four pastors say they have struggled with mental health issues, and 17% of pastors say it was diagnosed. Given the prevalence of the issue, churches cannot ignore the problem. Silence creates the perception that something is off-limits. Mental illness does not signal a lack of faith any more than contracting cancer signals a lack of faith. Thom and Sam discuss how churches can be helpful to pastors who struggle with mental health problems.
\\n
\\n \\t
\\n
\\n \\tRemove the "taboo" label. Deal with the problem candidly but with compassion.
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\n \\t
\\n
\\n \\tDo not discount warning signs as someone\'s personality or quirks.
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\n \\t
\\n
\\n \\tOffer a clear path for help and seek a professional opinion.
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\n \\t
\\n
\\n \\tCreate a plan based on the severity of the problem. For example, dealing with a moral failure is much different than getting help for ongoing anxiety.
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\n \\t
\\n
\\n \\tConsider the long-term impact on the pastor and the church.
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\nResources:
\\n
\\n \\t* California Baptist University Pre-College Credit
\\n
\\n
\\n \\t* Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector
\\n
\\n
\\n \\t* Check out the Church Answers Christian bookstore! Shop curated, trusted resources for Christian life and ministry.
\\n
\\nEpisode Sponsor:
\\n
\\nEligible high schoolers can earn college credit online, the first class is free (not including books and course materials), and they get a significant discount ($166 per credit vs. $613 per credit) for every subsequent class. They can choose from more than 30 available courses. Here are just a few additional details not included on the flier:
\\n
\\n \\t
\\n
\\n \\tThis program is open to third-culture kids, homeschool students, private and public school students, etc.
\\n \\tStudents can start during any eight-week session \\u2013 summer, fall, spring, each semester has two sessions as indicated on the flier
\\n \\tThe first-class free offer is limited. I do not yet know for how long, but we should market it as temporary for now.
\\n \\tMany students have successfully completed courses during their normal school year. Classes are asynchronous, so they can access course materials at their convenience.
\\n \\tSometimes universities have similar programs and they make classes specific for high school students \\u2013 HS students sitting with other HS students. In our program, participants sit in on real college courses, with actual college student peers. They get the real deal through our experience.
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\n
\\n \\t
'