I’ve just been writing some responses to advice given from older guys in ministry via the Christian media. I’ve responded to a few of these in recent years where the time seemed to be very much “it is all terrible now. It was better in the past”. I wonder to what extent rather than editors publishing such articles, someone needs to give these senior warriors of the faith a visit and put an arm around them then say “Are you doing okay? You seem despondent.”
i don’t want to get into personal medical diagnosis, something I’m not qualified to do but I am at times left wondering whether we are failing to encourage people to get help for depression.
if you are reading this, whether or not you are a pastor and you are thinking, “maybe he is right, I am not in a good place, I do feel depressed.” I would encourage you to get medical support and that of your brothers and sisters.
We are beginning to talk better about mental health and the church but we still have a long way to go. I’ve tried to contribute to this by sharing articles here, contributing a chapter to a book and this little series of videos
As I said, my main concern here is to encourage you to talk to someone and get help. Please don’t go off into the summer holidays feeling alone.
Faithroots 