All Christians

Conflict is inevitable in ministry. Whether you’re working with church members, counseling individuals, or navigating team dynamics, understanding how to resolve disputes in a Christ-centered way is vital. Here are essential conflict resolution skills, grounded in biblical wisdom, that can guide pastors and Christian counselors toward fostering peace and unity.

In the Christian counseling community and among church leaders, growing and expanding mental health ministry is vital. Networking with professional peers, learning about new resources, and training your congregation are essential steps in building a robust mental health ministry that can effectively serve your church and its community. After my experience at the Mental Health and the Church conference and completing a local Faith and Mental Health Continuing Education Units training for licensed counselors and social workers spurred some excitement back into my professional networking, I wanted to share some ways to foster growth and build lasting connections in this critical area of ministry.

[This article is part of a series of books we have reviewed over the years. Click the link to check out all the other books we’ve reviewed here.]

Fear is something we all deal with, but for some, it can feel like an ever-present shadow, constantly lurking in the background. In Afraid of All the Things, Scarlet Hiltibidal explores the intricate relationship between anxiety, fear, and faith in a refreshingly authentic and humorous way. This memoir, interwoven with biblical truths, personal stories, and a healthy dose of laughter, is a heartfelt invitation to let go of fear and trust in God.

The Good

The author is vulnerable, honest, and witty throughout the whole book. She shares her struggles with fear and anxiety, making her story incredibly relatable to those who wrestle with similar emotions. From irrational fears to real, deep-seated anxieties, the book explores how fear can grip every aspect of life — whether it’s about flying, sickness, or simply being human in a chaotic world.

What sets her apart is her ability to talk about these difficult topics with a sense of humor. The light-hearted tone makes the book approachable, even when it delves into heavier themes like mental health and spiritual battles.

The Intersection of Faith and Fear

At the core of this book is Hiltibidal’s journey toward trusting God in the midst of her fear. She weaves biblical truths into her narrative, offering a gospel-centered perspective on overcoming anxiety. Rather than providing a simple “fix,” the book encourages readers to lean into their faith and embrace the freedom that comes with trusting in God’s sovereignty.

Hiltibidal challenges the cultural norm of self-reliance, pointing readers back to the truth that God, not our own efforts, is our refuge and strength. This message is both comforting and convicting, as she unpacks how surrendering fear to God doesn’t necessarily mean it will disappear, but that we can experience peace and joy in the midst of it.

Further, Scarlett’s self-deprecating humor is woven into the book, making it easy to read and actually adding to the understanding of God’s value to us and how that fear can be a barrier to our relationship with Him. Life’s challenges, even the darkest moments, are peppered with levity. Her witty observations and self-deprecating humor make the book an enjoyable read, lightening the weight of the subject matter without trivializing it.

Practical Takeaways

While the book is primarily a memoir, it offers practical wisdom for anyone struggling with anxiety or fear. Scarlet doesn’t offer a step-by-step guide to overcoming anxiety, but she does share practices and perspectives that have helped her in her journey. From prayer and scripture meditation to the importance of community and honesty, the book is packed with encouragement to help readers navigate their own fears.

The book also speaks to the broader Christian community, encouraging empathy and understanding for those who battle anxiety. Hiltibidal reminds readers that faith and mental health can coexist, and that Christians who struggle with fear are not failures in their faith.

Conclusion

We give Afraid of All the Things a 5 out of 5. It is a refreshing and comforting read for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by fear or anxiety. It’s perfect for counselors to relate with their faith in the practice and give insight into the life of a Christian struggling with anxiety. Whether you’re someone who experiences constant worry or just an occasional bout of fear, this book provides a gospel-centered reminder that peace comes not from controlling your circumstances, but from trusting the One who holds them.

We are excited to announce our newest ebook, Church Liaison, a resource for churches and communities. For those following our website, we have been sharing recent data about concerns about a national behavioral health workforce shortage that only appears to be worsening. Further, some churches are starting to see shortages in their pastoral staff. This has led to our concerns about the scarcity of mental health services and pastoral care from churches and counseling agencies.

Our solutions? The church liaison position.

As a Christian counselor, I am always on the lookout for insightful books that not only offer practical guidance but also align with a Christian worldview. Kobe Campbell’s “Why Am I Like This?” is a profound and enriching read that I believe can be a significant resource for Christians struggling with questions about their identity, emotional health, and faith. Campbell, a licensed trauma therapist and mental health expert, brings a unique blend of personal experience, professional insight, and biblical wisdom to her readers.

In the realm of Christian ministry and mental health, pastors and Christian clinical counselors play vital roles in supporting the well-being of individuals. While their objectives often intersect, there are significant differences in how they approach the issues they handle. Christian pastors primarily focus on spiritual guidance and moral development, emphasizing living in accordance with Christian teachings. In contrast, Christian clinical counselors, although informed by their faith, concentrate more on addressing emotional and behavioral problems using psychological methods and evidence-based practices.

Guiding Morality and Spiritual Growth

Christian pastors are spiritual leaders who aim to guide their congregation in matters of faith, ethics, and morality. Their primary responsibility is to shepherd their flock toward a deeper relationship with God and to encourage them to live out Christian values in their daily lives. Pastors draw heavily on the teachings of the Bible to instruct and correct moral behavior. They often address issues such as honesty, integrity, forgiveness, and sexual morality, helping individuals to align their actions with scriptural teachings.

Pastors might provide moral guidance by:

1. Preaching and Teaching: Pastors deliver sermons and Bible studies that illuminate moral lessons. They interpret biblical texts to provide direction on what is considered righteous living according to Christian principles.
2. Counseling Sessions: While pastors are not typically trained therapists, they offer counseling that focuses on moral and spiritual concerns. For example, they might counsel a congregant struggling with sin or a moral dilemma, using scripture as a guide to correct behavior and encourage repentance.
3. Spiritual Discipline: Pastors may encourage practices like prayer, fasting, and meditation on scripture to foster spiritual growth. These practices are seen as ways to build moral character and resist temptation.
4. Community Accountability: Within a church community, pastors may facilitate accountability groups or mentoring relationships where members encourage one another to live according to Christian ethics.

In all these roles, the ultimate goal of a pastor is to lead individuals toward a life that reflects the love, compassion, and holiness of Christ, emphasizing repentance, forgiveness, and moral transformation.

Addressing Emotional and Behavioral Health

Christian clinical counselors, on the other hand, are professionals trained in psychology and counseling who integrate their Christian faith into their therapeutic practices. Their focus is less on moral instruction and more on helping individuals manage and overcome psychological, emotional, and behavioral challenges. While they may share the same faith as pastors, their methods and goals can differ significantly.

Christian clinical counselors focus on:

1. Mental Health Diagnosis and Treatment: These counselors are equipped to diagnose and treat a range of mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and addiction. They use evidence-based therapeutic techniques, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and other modalities.
2. Emotional Support: Counselors provide a safe space for clients to express their feelings and work through emotional pain. They help individuals understand the root causes of their issues, develop coping mechanisms, and build resilience.
3. Behavioral Change: Unlike pastors, who might emphasize changing behavior to align with moral principles, clinical counselors focus on behavior modification techniques that can improve mental health and well-being. This might include helping clients develop healthier habits, manage stress, or improve interpersonal relationships.
4. Integration of Faith: While clinical counselors may draw on Christian principles, their approach is more nuanced. They might incorporate prayer, scripture, or discussions about faith into their sessions, but only if it aligns with the client’s beliefs and therapeutic goals. Their primary focus remains on the client’s psychological health, with spirituality serving as a supportive framework.
5. Collaboration with Other Health Professionals: Christian clinical counselors often work in collaboration with other healthcare providers, including psychiatrists and general practitioners, to ensure a comprehensive approach to a client’s mental health. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that all aspects of a person’s well-being are considered.

A Harmonious Approach

Although the roles of Christian pastors and clinical counselors are distinct, they can complement each other. A pastor may refer a congregant to a clinical counselor when they recognize that the individual’s challenges go beyond spiritual or moral issues and require professional mental health intervention. Conversely, a Christian counselor may encourage clients to engage in their faith community and seek pastoral support as part of their holistic healing process.

The key is understanding the boundary lines of each role:

• Pastors should be aware of their limitations in handling psychological issues and recognize when a referral to a clinical counselor is necessary. Their focus on moral and spiritual development should be complemented by an awareness of mental health concerns.
• Christian Clinical Counselors should respect the importance of an individual’s spiritual life and be sensitive to integrating faith into the therapeutic process without imposing moral judgments. Their role is to facilitate healing and provide support, focusing on the mental and emotional aspects of their client’s lives.

Conclusion

There certainly are outliers where Christian counselors have their MDIV (or in my case Masters in Family Ministry) and pastors who are/were licensed counselors. But these tend to be much more the exception than the rule.

The difference between the roles of Christian pastors and Christian clinical counselors highlights the necessity for a balanced approach to personal development, one that respects the importance of both moral integrity and psychological well-being. By recognizing their distinct contributions, both pastors and counselors can work together to provide comprehensive support that addresses the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. This collaboration ensures that individuals receive the full range of care they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives that honor both their faith and their mental health.

We are huge fans of KeyMinistry and their resources and services for churches. In fact, the reason I have the approach with integration with mental health and the Church because of Dr. Grcevich’s Mental Health and the Church book. Their newest adventure is the Mental Health and the Church Conference happening September 26-27, 2024 in Cleveland, OH.

Jim Sells, Amy Trout, and Heather Sells collaborated to bring together a book out of necessity in seeing some of the shortcomings within the mental health profession. It is no secret as we have shared about the national shortage of counselors, so this book looks at how the Church can and has an obligation to come alongside those with mental illness to serve them better. Why this important, how you go about it, and concerns you should be aware of is the structure of Beyond the Clinical Hour.

This week Grace Alliance made a significant commitment to helping the Church with mental health. On August 1, 2024, ALL of their digital group workbooks will be free to download, print, and use. If you want a printed version, you will still need to pay, but if you want to view what they have, you can get it right away.

This includes Thrive, Living Grace, Family Grace, and Redefined Grace workbooks. (If you want to see them, check them out on their website here) Why would they do this? They shared this on their latest newsletter:

With today’s growing mental health need, we feel Christ-centered mental health recovery should be accessible to everyone without barriers … especially through the Body of Christ. 

Our team and board reviewed many reasons why, but one of them was the several requests from remote areas in Africa where shipping and affordability issues … but they were ready to launch groups for their growing community needs.

Instead of a price, people will have the option to make a donation and join us as a monthly partner to continue making mental health recovery and thriving free and accessible worldwide.

If not, no worries, let the resources be fully used for anyone, anywhere!

In sharing this, I encourage you to go sign up for their newsletter (at the bottom of their website) and go give them a like on Facebook! We are huge fans of Grace Alliance and you should be too.

I recently had a conversation with an old ministry friend who is looking to start up a ministry initiative for ministering to youth ministry teens and leaders who have disabilities. His name is Don Talley. A veteran of 36 years in youth ministry, he is looking to bring awareness through speaking, coaching, and conducting research about youth/student ministry and disability. You can find his information at Access Youth Ministry.