I am working on two writing projects, one of which I’ve already started and the other that I am just beginning to think about. It is also one that is not discussed often, but that brings a lot of traffic to my site. That topic is pastoral depression.
Elijah has been a favorite prophet of mine ever since I was seminary. One of the professors there, Argile Smith, shared a message in chapel once from Elijah, talking about decision-making. It stuck, and so did Elijah. And I am going to use Elijah and Jeremiah to talk about pastoral depression.
Why do this? Well I have walked through some of those issues myself. Second, I have two major searches from google that hit my blog: missional and pastor depression. I’ve done a podcast and post on it, and that topic generates traffic, so I know it is an issue in ministry. Third, my doctoral research offers incredible insight into topic, particularly as it relates to brain health, brain function, and decision-making.
I haven’t decided if I am going to make it into a print book or just a free ebook. As I was writing out a description for my coach this morning who – as a Christian counselor and former pastor, will help in the process – the ideas became bigger than I at first perceived. This would make a full book possible, but there is part of me that would like to give it away.
Pastors and ministers do not talk about this much, but we need to have these discussions. Too many pastors are leaving ministry because of it, too many are not making good decisions because of it, and it affects too many ministries, churches, and families. We cannot ignore it.
If you think you may be depressed and would like to talk to someone who has been through it, please contact me! I was thankful to have a coach who had been a pastor and had worked through his own depression battles. I’m not a counselor, but I would be willing to help any way I can.
