Ministerial Care Addresses Mental Health Awareness for Ministers

Once again, I was recently heartbroken at the news of another minister losing his life due to depression.

His name was Jarrid Wilson and he was an associate minister at the well-known Saddleback Church in California. While he was not a Church of God minister, he was still a precious brother in Christ who left behind a beautiful family. I am deeply sorry for the loss that his family and friends have suffered.
There is no way for me to know the level of pain that they are experiencing during this most difficult time. I pray that the Holy Spirit continues to comfort and sustain them through this season of grief and loss.

To my brothers and sisters in ministry within the Church of God, it is important to recognize that ministers carry a heavy burden to reach others for the Kingdom of God. Ministers, as well as their families, become caretakers of those God has entrusted to them.

While our ministers care deeply for others, at times this level of deep care comes at a personal cost, often resulting in negative and destructive thinking by the minister. Thoughts such as “I am not good enough,” “I must have missed His calling,” “I do not measure up,” or “I am no longer making a difference” can enter the mind of even a Spirit-filled minister. When these thoughts are pondered upon long enough, it creates a sense of loneliness, isolation, and ultimately depression.

Victims of depression, and yes, even victims of suicide, are often those who care deeply about the world around them. It affects them to see others suffer; it affects them to see those around them in need; and it affects them when they feel as though they are not able to offer the care and love that they so desperately want to provide to those they serve.

As ministers of the Gospel, we can no longer allow ourselves to be silent on issues that are literally killing our colleagues. Struggling with depression, anxiety, stress, and other related issues should not invoke shame. Instead, these issues must be met with sensitivity, love, and graciousness. As we share our struggles, others will feel more comfortable in disclosing their own struggles. It is in that vulnerability that we can develop our deepest and most enduring relationships, and it is in those moments that true healing can begin.

Scriptures mandate that we are to be our brother’s keeper – and that is where our office can provide assistance. Church of God ministerial families are valuable and precious to us at Ministerial Care, and we want to be of help to you. We are here to serve you and to hear your cries. We can offer to you the same kind of care and compassion that you have given to so many others.

If you are a minister or a family member, you do not have to walk this journey alone. The Church of God Center for Ministerial Care is here to offer confidential counseling to you as a minister.

Please reach out to us if we can be of any assistance to you or your family by calling (423) 478-7140 or visiting centerforministerialcare.com.

(Source: Tim Maness, D. Min., Pastoral Care/SpiritCare Coordinator)

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