I'm chewing over a lot in my mind lately. One of the hardest is developing a biblical view of mental health issues and how the church - as the Body of Christ - is called to love, lead and interpret scripture relating to those who live with mental health challenges.
Have you found any books or sermons that really helped clarify the issue for you? I don't think I have ever heard a sermon addressing this topic specifically but I have a pretty good understanding of the questions which might arise. As the mama to several kiddos with mental health challenges (94% of those with FASD's also have mental health issues) this is our reality and we are a part of the Body.
2 comments:
Pretty much everything that I think about mental health and the Church comes from things you've written on this blog. I can't remember ever having heard a sermon specifically on mental health and the Church. That having been said, my church does host a Jesus Prom every fall in which about 500 adults with special challenges are given their very own prom night, live band, food, all-out decorations, red carpet welcome, personal escorts for the evening, etc., with usually more than a thousand volunteers involved. It's the best night of the whole year for anyone who volunteers, and people drive in from other states to volunteer for it. I would say a very large portion of the guests have mental health issues. I also see many people in our church hallways on Sunday mornings who clearly have mental challenges (I don't mean that rudely or facetiously -- with some people, their challenges are visible in their facial structures). I think it's just a normal, expected part of our church culture largely due to the influence of one man, Brewster McLeod. Here's a link to an article about him: http://www.kyforward.com/2012/12/everyday-heroes-jesus-proms-brewster-mcleod-still-has-heart-for-the-least-of-them/
--shawnee
A man named Ed Welch, who writes for Christian Counseling and Education Foundation, has written quite a bit on how the body and spirit interact. He talks about how broken bodies affect our psyche, yet makes that fine balance with a call to obedience to Christ and a trust in His beautiful promises to us. Your beautiful crew may largely fall into the camp of suffering from broken bodies. But my husband, as a Christian counselor often speaks with people who have been diagnosed but primarily need a vision if their identity in Christ and its very practical outworkings. (Something which all believers need as we repent daily.) Welch's most accessible book is Blame It On The Brain. Although I have found his , older (out of print?) The Christian Counselors Guide to the Brain and Its Disorders to be a fuller picture of the divide and unity between soul and body. David Powlison, also from CCEF has written a trilogy mostly on the gospel in counseling (and everyday life). But Piper's Faith in Future Grace is one of the best on the link between gospel hope and obedience. Hope these help.
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