The Struggle Is Real
How to Care for Mental and Relational Health Needs in the Church
by
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Divorce. Suicide. Childhood sexual abuse. Depression. Pornography. Anxiety and panic disorders. Cohabitation. Bi-polar disorder. Alcoholism. Domestic violence. Abortion. Drug and prescription medication abuse. Adultery. Gambling. Single parent families. Trauma and grief. Eating disorders. The pace, pain, and pressure of modern life have taken over countless people’s lives.
The struggle is real. People are hurting in unprecedented ways and in virtually epidemic numbers. These problems exist not only “out there” in society at large; they are very much present in our churches, and we must minister to them directly and effectively. Yet in most congregations, these overwhelming human needs are typically and historically cloaked in an insidious and sometimes deadly trifecta of silence, shame, and stigma.
While it seems in many ways to be the worst of times, people are also searching for answers, and research consistently verifies that when hurting people do reach out for help, the vast majority turn first to a pastor, priest, or other church leader. However, the horrible irony is that most pastors simply do not have the time or training to adequately minister to these serious and specialized needs. At the same time, the cumulative population of persons experiencing significant mental and relational health problems is astronomical, and the aggregate toll of human suffering they are enduring is overwhelming.
As we all know, mental and relational problems can be messy. And complicated. And costly. They often require major, labor-intensive investments of time, effort, and energy that consume disproportionate shares of precious and limited church resources. So how do we as the church adequately answer God’s call?
First we must break the silence, remove the shame, and erase the stigma surrounding mental and relational health issues in the church. Contrary to much implicit—and some explicit—teaching and preaching, just because we are Christians does not mean we are immune to or exempt from experiencing adversity, anguish, and afflictions. Here in our fallen world, we are never promised a life without such difficulties. Rather, Jesus assured us that we will have struggles when he declared: “…In this world you will have trouble…” Thankfully he also promised, “…But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NIV).
Our earnest hope, heartfelt prayer, and ministry goal at the American Association of Christian Counselors is that this groundbreaking book will speak truth, shine light, and spread salt into our confused, dark, and decaying world. Written by national leaders and renowned specialists in various areas of Christian mental and relational health, each chapter expertly addresses in a compelling yet compassionate manner a crucial area of need extant within the local church. This veritable ministry toolbox is solidly biblical, eminently practical, and readily applicable. It offers a smorgasbord of strategies, structures, and solutions for how to serve suffering, sinful saints.
Written with a heart for effective ministry and a mission for redemptive transformation, this unique and powerful resource will help educate, encourage, equip, and empower pastors and other church leaders to do the work of ministry in practical and tangible ways for which Bible school and seminary typically did not prepare them. Through this vessel, we pray the Father’s love and mercy, the peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit, and the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ will pour out help, healing, and hope to the hurting.
We commend you for your courageous leadership in reaching out to people struggling with mental and relational health issues. We pray the Lord will help you—and richly bless you—as you serve him through your ministry to the throngs of hurting people whom many marginalize as “the least.”
Tim Clinton and Jared Pingleton
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About the Book
20-25% of Americans suffer from a diagnosable mental illness. Divorce is epidemic. Abuse of all kinds is rampant. Suicidality is at an all-time high. Domestic violence is out of control. Cohabitation and out of wedlock births are at unprecedented levels. Addictions are more widespread than ever.
These and many other problems confront our culture today in alarming proportions. Consequently, mental and relational health issues find their way home. To everyone’s home.
People with these and other concerns typically turn first to the church for help. Yet most churches are not equipped to adequately minister to the depth and magnitude of these overwhelming problems. This book was created as a comprehensive resource to provide the church with practical tools to care for these hurting people in a biblically sound and emotionally healthy way.
We at the American Association of Christian Counselors hope and pray this book finds its way into the hands of every pastor, church leader, counselor, and Christian caregiver in America. Because the struggle is real. The struggle is real indeed.
This is a lineup of experienced healers and caring writers. It will be a valuable resource for the field of mental and emotional health for years to come.
John Ortberg, Ph.D., Senior Pastor of Menlo Church, Menlo Park, CA,
Clinical Psychologist and best-selling author
People everywhere are hurting, including those inside the church. Written by a team of experts, this important resource is designed to shine the wonderful and liberating light of the gospel into the dark and difficult areas of people’s lives. What’s here will heal. You need this book and the people you love need it too.
Johnnie Moore, Founder, The KAIROS Company
People today are struggling in ways that only the church can help. The Struggle is Real is an excellent resource for equipping ministry leaders and counselors alike to meet this most pressing need.
Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
I heartily recommend The Struggle Is Real…Clinton and Pingleton have provided exactly what the church needs.
Jeremiah J. Johnston, Ph.D., President, Christian Thinkers Society,
Professor, Houston Baptist University
We are not fine; the people we serve are not fine—we all struggle! This book is an invaluable resource for helping us minister to people who need our understanding.
Greg Surratt, Founding Pastor, Seacoast Church, Mount Pleasant, SC,
President, Association of Related Churches (ARC)
In this book, Tim Clinton and Jared Pingleton provide a solid guide to better understand the issues and dynamics of trouble that people experience and how to effectively minister to them.
George O. Wood, P.Th.D., J.D., former General Superintendent, The General Council of the Assemblies of God
About the Author
Tim Clinton, Ed. D., LPC, LMFT is President of the American Association of Christian Counselors, the largest and most diverse Christian counseling association in the world. He is the Executive Director of the James Dobson Family Institute and recurring co-host of “Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk.” Licensed as a Professional Counselor and as a Marriage and Family Therapist, Dr. Clinton is recognized as a world leader in mental health and relationship issues and spends much of his time working with Christian leaders and professional athletes. He has authored and edited nearly 30 books, including The Struggle is Real: How to Care for Mental and Relational Health Needs in the Church and is the Executive Editor of The Care and Counsel Bible by Thomas Nelson Press.
Rev. Jared Pingleton, Psy.D., is a respected leader in the Christian Mental Health field and currently serves as the Director of Mental Health Care and Ministry of the American Association of Christian Counselors. In professional practice since 1977, he is a licensed clinical psychologist, a credentialed minister who has served on the staff of two large churches, a former professor at several Christian colleges and seminaries, the former Director of Counseling Services at Focus on the Family, and author or co-author of several books, including The Struggle is Real: How to Care for Mental and Relational Health Needs in the Church. Dr. Pingleton is also the Consulting Editor of The Care and Counsel Bible by Thomas Nelson Press. For more about Jared, as well as contact information, go to www.drpingleton.com.