What the Church Needs to Know About Depression
The song says the joy of the Lord is your strength, and you are standing in the third row feeling nothing at all. That gap, between what is sung and what can be felt, is where many faithful people quietly live. Part 1 of Church Mental Health Series.
What the Church Needs to Know About Anxiety
She arrives early and leaves before coffee. She loves God and is terrified of nearly everything else, and has never told anyone at church. Anxiety is not worry, and "just give it to God" only deepens the shame. Part 2 of Church Mental Health Series.
What the Church Needs to Know About Bipolar Disorder
He was the most gifted person in the room. Then he would disappear and resurface silent. The church celebrated the high and waited out the low. Bipolar disorder is not a gift with a side effect. Part 3 of Church Mental Health Series.
What the Church Needs to Know About Schizophrenia
She said something during prayer that did not fit the room. The quiet fell, someone prayed, and she never came back. What she needed was not a pastoral conversation but a hospital. Part 4 of Church Mental Health Series.
What the Church Needs to Know About OCD
He prays the same prayer seven times before he can leave the house. He knows grace does not require it. He still cannot stop. OCD is not tidiness, and reassurance makes it worse. Part 5 of Church Mental Health Series.
What the Church Needs to Know About PTSD
He came back from the war and sat in the third pew, hands shaking through one song, telling no one. PTSD is not weakness, and forgiving does not switch off a flashback. Part 6 of Church Mental Health Series.
What the Church Needs to Know About Psychosis
She called the pastor at 2am, speaking of messages and a mission. He prayed and told her to rest. He did not know he was hearing a psychiatric emergency, or that she needed a hospital that night. Part 7 of Church Mental Health Series.
