All Christians

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18

As a Christian counselor, I have sat across from many believers who carry an unbearable weight of sadness, anxiety, and numbness. They often come with a common confession whispered in shame: “I can’t pray.”

For those struggling with depression, the spiritual practices that once brought peace and clarity can feel unreachable. Words dry up. Silence lasts for too long. The heart, once in a deep relationship with God, feels hollow. When this happens, even seasoned spiritual leaders may question their faith, their calling, or their connection to God. It’s crucial that we, as pastors and Christian counselors, understand this intersection between faith and mental health—and learn to minister with compassion when prayer feels impossible.

Church leaders dedicate their lives to serving others, but who ensures they receive the care and support they need? Burnout, stress, and spiritual fatigue are real challenges that can undermine a leader’s effectiveness and well-being. The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) recently released valuable resources to help churches and church staff recognize the warning signs of burnout and implement proactive strategies for leader care. Below, we explore three key ECFA resources and how they can benefit your church leadership.

In today’s world, where stress, anxiety, and depression are prevalent, many seek effective ways to support their mental well-being. For pastors and Christian counselors, understanding the relationship between faith and mental health is essential in guiding congregants toward healing and wholeness. Research has increasingly demonstrated that religious practices have profound mental health benefits, affirming what Scripture has long taught. (It should also be noted we have talked about this topic a couple of other times, so this is not the only research that should be cited.)

As a licensed professional clinical counselor over the last nine years, I have worked with many different populations, but two of the most prominent groups I have worked with are people who have been convicted as domestic violence offenders and people who are victims of domestic violence. In the mission of promoting “a healthy approach to mental health in the Church,” I find a specific calling to have the Church make a difference with this vulnerable population. The Church has a unique and powerful role to play in both preventing domestic violence and in ministering to those affected by it. One resource that I have found particularly valuable in equipping churches for this work is ChurchCares.com.

(Note: we previously wrote an article about TheChurchCares.com, a completely different mission and run website)

[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.]

As a Christian counselor, I often work with individuals who struggle with sin, shame, and brokenness. Many of them desperately want change but feel trapped in cycles of mental illness, substance use, and/or negative behaviors. While clinical therapy models offer helpful therapeutic tools, true transformation ultimately comes through the redemptive work of Christ. That’s why Matt Chandler’s Recovering Redemption: A Gospel-Saturated Perspective on How to Change is such a valuable resource for pastors seeking to walk alongside their congregants in the journey toward wholeness.

Ministry is built on relationships—walking with people through life’s joys and struggles. But as pastors and church leaders, we often find ourselves in challenging, emotional, or even uncomfortable conversations. Whether talking with someone about mental health, counseling a couple facing marital struggles, or addressing doubts about faith, these moments require wisdom, patience, and grace.

So today, we want to announce our eBook Difficult Conversations, which focuses on how pastors can effectively engage in their discussions with grace and hope. It’s a guide for pastors, ministry leaders, and church staff navigating tough discussions around mental health, trauma, and faith. Packed with practical strategies, biblical wisdom, and real-life scenarios, this resource equips you to approach sensitive topics with confidence, compassion, and clarity. Whether addressing congregants struggling with mental illness, supporting families in crisis, or fostering a more open and supportive church culture, this guide will help you lead with grace and understanding.

Suffering is an inevitable part of the human experience, and for Christians, it presents a unique opportunity to deepen faith and reliance on God. But we always see suffering as only in the negative. What if we could see suffering instead as a good thing?

My church did a series on the topic of the Living Hope that points to Jesus through Scripture, using 1 Peter. This is one of many different times our church has brought the conversation of mental health into a sermon series. In the video shared below, one of our pastors looks at the biblical perspective on enduring hardships and offers guidance on how believers can navigate suffering with grace and hope. I then want to discuss some ideas how your church can promote suffering with hope.

The church is called to be a place of refuge, healing, and truth. Unfortunately, abuse—whether physical, emotional, spiritual, or sexual—can occur within faith communities. As pastors and church leaders, we have a biblical and ethical responsibility to protect the vulnerable, prevent harm, and respond appropriately when abuse is disclosed.

[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.]

As a pastor, you constantly pour into others—offering guidance, shepherding souls, and serving your congregation with compassion. But in ministry, have you taken time to truly know yourself as God knows you? What does it mean to truly be a child of God and what God has made you to be? Dr. David G. Benner’s The Gift of Being Yourself: The Sacred Call to Self-Discovery is a profound and deeply biblical invitation to explore the intersection of self-awareness and spiritual formation.

As pastors, you bear the responsibility of shepherding our congregations not only in their spiritual growth but also in their overall well-being. The challenges of modern ministry often include addressing complex issues like abuse, mental health struggles, and the need for safe, nurturing environments within the church. This is where TheChurchCares.com becomes an invaluable resource for Christian leaders.