Category: pastoral-care

COVID-19 depression and suicide

There has been some discussion about the affects of COVID-19 and lockdowns on mental health. Now despite the memes that have circulated on social media about spiralling suicide rates, the data as we have it does not suggest that this seems to be the case. If there have been any increases in incidents, they reflect… Continue reading COVID-19 depression and suicide

Jay Adams (January 30th 1929 – November 14th 2020)

Whether or not you have heard the name, Jay Adams is probably one of the most significant influences on your life, especially if you are within the Reformed Tradition. A prolific author, he wrote on preaching and teaching (Truth Applied and Preaching with purpose), where he heavily pushed a focus on identifying the main point… Continue reading Jay Adams (January 30th 1929 – November 14th 2020)

Redundant

Can you meet with the Trustees urgently about the financial situation?” “Are we looking at redundancies?” “We need to talk options…” That’s the gist of a conversation I was having a few weeks back.  Like quite a few churches in our context, we’ve been encouraged over the past ten years to see Gospel growth but… Continue reading Redundant

Balance is often the enemy of truth

One of the idols we chase is “balance.” It is an established political fact that unless everyone else has headed off to the extremes, elections are normally won from the political centre.  Opinion polls show that most voters consider themselves to be in the centre and judge the parties by where they believe they sit… Continue reading Balance is often the enemy of truth

Is it ever okay to run away?

 What should Christians do when they face opposition and persecution? Well, it’s obvious isn’t it? Christians are to persevere, to stand their ground and to suffer.  Paul talks about how we learn endurance and faith in suffering whilst Peter tells slaves that it is a good thing to suffer for doing good. So when persecution… Continue reading Is it ever okay to run away?

Learning to See – That important detail

On a couple of occasions, I’ve been asked for informal advice about a legal matter. Sometimes it has been to do with employment law, once or twice about family law and often to do with immigration and asylum.  Often people start with a lengthy story of every single possible grievance or defence that might have… Continue reading Learning to See – That important detail

Anxiety

I’ve written quite a bit over the past year about depression. However, many people who experience emotional health issues don’t just suffer from depression. In my case, the doctor diagnosed me with Mixed Anxiety and Depressive disorder. So, I wanted to write a little bit about anxiety now. Anxiety can be experienced as a chronic… Continue reading Anxiety

The role of Scripture in treating mental health issues

I have read reports recently from people experiencing “Christian counselling” for mental health issues where this amounted to giving them a few bible verses to read and memorise.  So, I thought I would outline a few reflections around this. The first thing to say is that this is sometimes described as Biblical Counselling.  However, this… Continue reading The role of Scripture in treating mental health issues

Angry at God? (4) The trouble with me

What is one of the most significant root causes of anger? I want to suggest that it often comes down to my desire to be in control. We often get angry when things happen that we hadn’t planned for and that we can’t do anything about. We become frustrated because our plans for life are… Continue reading Angry at God? (4) The trouble with me