This all-in-one guide is designed to better equip clergy and the church leaders to meet their congregations' needs in a spiritually grounded and scientifically sound manner. Succinct, easy-to-read chapters summarize all a pastor needs to know about a given problem area, including its signs or symptoms, questions to ask, effective helping skills, and, most importantly, when to refer to a mental health professional. Synthesizing what research says about treatment approaches for mental health issues, this user-friendly reference is filled with guidelines, case scenarios, key points to remember, resources for further help, advice on integrating scripture and theology with the best available research, and tips on partnering with others to provide the best possible care for each church member. Each chapter is designed for quick lookup by problem area, empowering church leaders to understand and help meet the challenges facing the children, adults, families, and communities that they serve.

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

From the "Essential Features of Biblical Counseling" to "Developing a Local Church Counseling Ministry", this book explores all aspects of the industry. A discussion of the roles of medicine, psychiatry, and psychology, and a comprehensive index of authors, scriptures, and subjects add to the book's usefulness.

Using real-world case studies and examples, Hunsinger and Latini helpfully guide pastors and lay leaders through effective and compassionate ways to deal with discord.

Hurting people need help. But sometimes those who are faced with helping the hurting could use a little more information about the problems that needy people bring to them. The Quick-Reference Guide to Biblical Counseling provides the answers. It is an A-Z guide for assisting people-helpers--pastors, professional counselors, youth workers, and everyday believers--to easily access a full array of information to aid them in (formal and informal) counseling situations. Issues addressed include addictions, forgiveness, sexual abuse, worry, and many more. Each of the 40 topics covered follows a helpful eight-part outline and identifies: 1) typical symptoms and patterns, 2) definitions and key thoughts, 3) questions to ask, 4) directions for the conversation, 5) action steps, 6) biblical insights, 7) prayer starters, and 8) recommended resources. About the series The Quick-Reference Guides are A-Z guides that assist people-helpers--pastors, professional counselors, youth workers, and everyday believers--to easily access a full array of information to aid them in (formal and informal) counseling situations. Each of the forty topics covered follows a helpful eight-part outline and identifies: 1) typical symptoms and patterns, 2) definitions and key thoughts, 3) questions to ask, 4) directions for the conversation, 5) action steps, 6) biblical insights, 7) prayer starters, and 8) recommended resources.

Featuring chapters written by mental health professionals who are also experienced Christian practitioners, Counseling and Mental Health in the Church: The Role of Pastors and the Ministry provides ministry leaders with a foundational understanding of common mental health issues, typical approaches to treatment, and sage advice for supporting those experiencing mental health concerns. Recognizing that parishioners may seek guidance from pastors or others

An introduction to the Bowen Family Systems Theory and its applications both to church life and to the role of leadership in creating a healthier church, this book explains the complexities of congregational emotional life in understandable language.