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How the Church Can Help with Mental Health

I’ve always believed and taught that God uses our pain to help others. I’ve seen that to be true over and over in my life—and in the lives of those in our Saddleback family. Much of the Purpose Driven framework for ministry came from a time of deep pain I experienced early in my ministry. And Celebrate Recovery was born out of the pain of my dear friend, John Baker.  The same is true with our church’s mental health ministries. My youngest son, Matthew, struggled since childhood with all kinds of mental and emotional pain. These challenges were difficult for him and our family. Then, the day came I prayed would never happen. Matthew lost his battle with mental illness and took his life in a moment of despair. It was the worst day of my life. Although not everything that happens in our life is God's will, I do know he can turn bad into good. God doesn’t want us to ever waste a hurt.  That’s why Kay and I decided to use our pain to help others. As we developed our church’s mental illness ministry, we focused on five goals. I believe these goals are important for every church as they begin to tackle mental illness.

Take the lead in dealing with mental illness.

I don’t just believe the church has a role in mental health. I believe we must take the lead. Here’s why:  Biblically, Jesus ministered to people in a variety of different ways—including caring about their mental health. Jesus doesn’t just care about our souls going to heaven and our minds learning the truth. He cares about our bodies, too. Jesus' ministry clearly cared for people who struggled with mental illness.  Historically, the church has a 2000-year track record of caring for the sick, including the mentally ill. It wasn’t the government or healthcare agencies that invented the hospital. It was the church. It’s no accident that the first hospital in almost every country in the world was started by Christian missionaries. Practically, people typically contact their church when they’re in pain. Before a person in pain calls anyone else for help, they often call their priest, pastor, or spiritual leader first. From our experience, we know people need help with mental health challenges at all times of the day or night. The church can be equipped to be there during those times.

Remove the stigma.

The real reason people are hesitant to talk about mental illness is fear. There’s no stigma attached to repairing a broken bone. It shouldn’t be any different for mental illness. Removing the stigma of mental illness starts with the church recognizing this truth: We are all broken. Pastor, you're broken and I'm broken. Every person we see throughout the day is broken—no matter how healthy they appear on the outside. We need to constantly talk about this. We must admit as leaders when we struggle with mental illnesses, such as depression, so people won’t feel alone in their own struggles.

Equip and educate your congregation.

Pastors aren’t the only ones who need to understand and be ready to help people with mental illness. For the church to be on the frontlines of this ministry, everyone needs to be ready. Often it’s the receptionist answering the phone or the small group leader who is called upon to meet these important ministry needs. Pastors can’t do this on their own. They need the support of other trained leaders.

Make families aware of the available resources.

When Kay and I were struggling with our youngest son’s mental illness, we often felt overwhelmed and didn’t know where to turn. We looked and looked, and sometimes we couldn’t find any help—but it was out there. You have an opportunity to open the door for conversations in your community between healthcare agencies and churches. You can provide a space for academics and institutions of higher learning to talk with your congregation (and other churches) about mental and emotional health issues. You can be a connector for people in your community to find the help they need. Explore Kay Warren's resources on Mental Health, HERE!

Support people living with mental illness.

Let’s show people that we care about their pain. Let’s remind them, “Your illness is not your identity, and your chemistry is not your character.” God has a purpose and plan for every person—regardless of the struggles they face. Every person we engage is worth loving. God’s Word is clear about that, but many of us struggle to believe it. We must help everyone see—and believe—this truth.  Pastor, maybe you’re struggling with mental health challenges right now. As you plan to live out these five principles in your church, realize that you, too, are valuable to God. Just like he will use the pain of others to help people, he will use your pain also. Don’t let your own struggles with mental illness convince you to sit on the sidelines. Instead, let it fuel your service.  Your church can be a place of healing and hope in your community. No matter the size or the location of your church, you have a part to play. Learn how you can start a mental health ministry in your church, HERE.

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The Lies Your People Believe—and How to Counter Them

The Lies Your People Believe—and How to Counter Them

Pastor, every week when you stand before your congregation, you’re not just preaching to believers—you’re preaching into a world filled with competing worldviews. People bring those views into your church every Sunday. They shape how your members see relationships, success, money, purpose, and even God.Worldview matters. It’s not just academic or philosophical. People live their lives based on their worldview—whether they realize it or not. If you want to see transformation in your people, you must help them change how they view the world. Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (NIV).Here are six of the most common worldviews that are shaping the people in your pews—and how God’s Word responds to each one.1. The one with the most toys wins.This is materialism. It’s the belief that life is about acquiring more. More stuff. More money. More success.But Jesus said, "Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions" (Luke 12:15 NIV). Real life isn’t about what you own—it’s about who owns you. The greatest things in life aren’t things.2. I’ve got to think of myself first.This is the worldview of individualism. It’s the mindset behind many cultural slogans: “Have it your way.” “Obey your thirst.” “You deserve it.”It’s a self-centered life that destroys marriages, divides churches, and corrodes communities.Jesus taught the opposite: "If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it" (Matthew 16:25 NLT).True life comes from giving yourself away—to God and to others.3. Do what feels good.This is hedonism—the belief that the goal of life is to feel good, be comfortable, and have fun.But Scripture is clear. The Message paraphrase says: "Are you addicted to thrills? What an empty life! The pursuit of pleasure is never satisfied" (Proverbs 21:17).Chasing pleasure doesn’t satisfy. It leaves people empty. God created us for more than comfort—he created us for a calling.4. Whatever works for you.This is pragmatism. In today’s world, the only “wrong” seems to be telling someone else they’re wrong. Truth becomes subjective. People say, “If it works for you, that’s fine.”But the Bible warns us: "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death" (Proverbs 14:12 NIV).Truth isn’t whatever works. It’s what God says is right.5. God doesn’t exist.This is naturalism, or atheism. It claims that life is an accident, that there is no Creator and no ultimate purpose.But Paul writes: "Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God" (Romans 1:20 NLT).Creation points to a Creator. If there’s no God, life has no meaning. But God made you—and everyone you preach to—for a purpose.6. You are your own god.This is humanism—a worldview that says we are in control of our own destiny. It’s behind the belief that we’re the masters of our fate and the captains of our souls.But Romans 1:25 says, "They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator" (NIV).Every human being is wired to worship. If we don’t worship God, we’ll worship something else—even ourselves.A Biblical WorldviewAll of these worldviews have consequences. And most people don’t even realize how deeply influenced they are by them.There’s only one worldview that leads to the life God has planned for you: a biblical worldview. The biblical worldview says: God created us for his purposes. We are not our own. We exist for his glory.Pastor, if you want to change people’s lives, help them change their worldview first. When their minds are renewed, their hearts will follow.
Take a Day Off: Why Pastors Need a Weekly Sabbath

Take a Day Off: Why Pastors Need a Weekly Sabbath

Pastor, when was the last time you took a full day off? Not a conference. Not a ministry retreat. Not a family vacation that turned into an emergency counseling session. A real day off.You spend your week meeting the needs of others. It’s easy to put your own needs—and your family’s needs—last. But God commands something different. He calls you to rest. There are lots of reasons you need a weekly Sabbath. Here are just a few:1. God Commands ItGod has more to say about taking a day off than about murder or adultery. The fourth commandment is the longest of the Ten Commandments, and it's the only one many pastors routinely ignore.“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you” (Exodus 20:8–10 NLT).God was serious about this. And he backed it up with his own example: "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work" (Genesis 2:2 NIV). Was God tired? Of course not. He doesn’t get tired. But he was modeling a principle.2. You Were Made for ItJesus said, "The Sabbath was made to benefit man, and not man to benefit the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27 TLB). You weren’t made to run nonstop. Your body, mind, and soul need regular rest and replenishment.If you don’t schedule a Sabbath, your stress and exhaustion will schedule one for you.Every seven days, you need to recharge physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The Sabbath is God’s gift to help you avoid burnout in a stress-filled calling.3. It Doesn’t Have to Be SundayYou might be thinking, "Rick, I’m a pastor. Sundays are not exactly restful!"That’s okay. Your Sabbath doesn’t have to be Sunday. But it does need to be one day every week—a day that is different from the others. Set it apart. Rest, refocus, and reconnect with God and your family."It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night . . . for God gives rest to his loved ones" (Psalm 127:2 NLT).4. You’re Not That ImportantWhen you refuse to take a Sabbath, you’re sending a message: "I’m too important to rest. Everything depends on me."Pastor, you need to resign as general manager of the universe. It will keep spinning without you.The truth is, workaholism in ministry is often driven by pride, guilt, or insecurity. You think ministry won’t happen without you. But it will—and it might even be healthier.5. Your Family Needs ItYour family needs more than your sermons. They need your time. They need your laughter. They need your attention when you’re not distracted by the next thing on your to-do list.For years, Monday was my day off. Monday night was family night. We didn’t do anything elaborate—we just enjoyed each other. That weekly rhythm shaped our family.You don’t just teach your kids values; you model them. And one of the most important lessons you can model is this: God designed us to rest.Take the First Step This WeekYou don’t need a sabbatical or a two-week vacation. You need a Sabbath. One day. Every week.Start this week. Protect that day. Don’t let anything steal it. It may be the most important ministry decision you make.
The Pastor’s Guide to Difficult Personalities

The Pastor’s Guide to Difficult Personalities

By Rick WarrenMinistry would be easy if it weren’t for the people!But as every pastor knows, one of the greatest challenges in ministry is dealing with difficult people. They come in all shapes and sizes, but they have one thing in common: They drain your energy, distract your focus, and derail your momentum.Jesus had to deal with difficult people throughout his ministry. And if you’re going to follow his example, you need to learn how to deal with them too.Here are four practical strategies Jesus modeled for handling difficult people.1. Realize You Can’t Please Everyone"By myself I can do nothing. . . . I seek not to please myself but him who sent me" (John 5:30 NIV).Even God doesn’t please everyone. One person prays for rain, another for sunshine. You’re not God—and you’re not called to be a people-pleaser. Your job is to please the Lord.If you let other people’s demands drive your decisions, you’ll burn out fast. Instead, stay focused on God’s calling for your life and ministry.2. Refuse to Play Their Game"But Jesus knew their evil motives. 'You hypocrites!' he said. 'Why are you trying to trap me?'" (Matthew 22:18 NLT).Difficult people often try to manipulate you with guilt, fear, or anger. But Jesus never fell for their traps. He responded with wisdom, truth, and clarity.You don’t have to meet every expectation. You can say no. And when correction is needed, speak the truth in love. Some people aren’t interested in solutions—they just want to argue. Don’t get caught in their game.3. Don’t Retaliate"You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury. . . . But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also" (Matthew 5:38-39 NLT).Retaliation gives up control. When you strike back, you’re no longer responding—you’re reacting. And that means you’re letting someone else set the tone for your life.Instead, take the high road. Respond with humility, patience, and grace. That doesn’t mean you never set boundaries—it means you do it with the right spirit.4. Pray for Them"But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!" (Matthew 5:44 NLT).Prayer is the game-changer. You can’t change a troublemaker by ignoring them, retaliating, or giving in. But when you team up love and prayer, you create space for God to work a miracle. That’s what Jesus did—and it’s what he calls you to do too.Difficult People Come in Many FormsYou’ve likely encountered these personalities in your church:The Sherman Tank – Runs over anyone who disagreesThe Megaphone – Dominates every conversationThe Bubble Buster – Deflates every new ideaThe Volcano – Explodes with angerThe Crybaby – Constantly complains and poutsThe Nitpicker – Obsesses over minor flawsThe Space Cadet – Lives in a different realityYou may not be able to avoid these personalities, but you can learn to respond with wisdom, grace, and strength.Make this your goal: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18 NIV).You won’t always get it right. But as you grow in these Christ-like responses, you’ll free up energy for what really matters: shepherding the flock God has entrusted to you.
Five Ways to Lead Your Church Toward Unity

Five Ways to Lead Your Church Toward Unity

By Rick WarrenPastor, few things weigh heavier on your heart than seeing conflict among your people. Nothing breaks a shepherd's heart like watching the sheep squabble. Unity isn't just a nice bonus for your church; it's essential. In fact, Jesus taught that your church's witness depends on it. God can work through many weaknesses in your church, but he won't work through disunity.As you shepherd your people toward unity, here are five principles to guide you:1. Maintain an attitude of acceptance.Don’t major in minors. Not every issue requires total agreement. Some disagreements are simply over disputable matters. Paul addresses this in Romans 14:1-23, using the example of disagreement over dietary guidelines to remind believers not to let minor differences divide them. Instead, maintain an attitude of acceptance.Isn't it a blessing that God made us different? He loves variety! When conflict arises, your first task is to discern whether it's over essentials or non-essentials. If it's essential, address it biblically. But if it's not, lead your people to accept one another's differences.2. Focus on your common mission.Nothing unites a church more than a shared purpose. That’s why at Saddleback we always insisted that every new member go through our membership class. There, we clearly lay out the church’s purpose and direction.Your church isn’t the only church in town, and that’s okay. Other Bible-believing churches may do things differently. Make sure people know what your church is about before they join. Clarity upfront can prevent division later.3. Control your tongue.Pastor, when gossip shows up, you need to shut it down immediately—and train your leaders to do the same. Gossip is sin. When you listen to it, you become complicit. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Don’t say anything that would hurt ⸤another person⸥. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you” (GW).What is gossip? It's when you share a problem or criticism with someone who is neither part of the problem nor part of the solution. If they're not involved, leave it alone. Preach on this often and remind your leadership regularly. It's that important.4. Teach your church to support church leadership.Hebrews 13:17 says, “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you” (NIV).That verse should humble every pastor. One day, you will stand before God and give an account of how you shepherded his people. That reality drives us to our knees, praying for wisdom and guidance.With that accountability comes authority. Without authority, you can't be held responsible. God gives pastors authority to lead his church. Teaching your church the biblical basis for leadership authority isn’t about propping yourself up—it’s about protecting the unity that God cherishes.5. Practice God's method of conflict resolution.Jesus outlines the process for handling conflict in Matthew 18: “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along. . . . If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector” (Matthew 18:15-17 NIV).When someone brings you a complaint about another person, your first question should be: Have you talked to them directly? That’s where biblical conflict resolution begins.If they refuse to listen, involve one or two others. If they still won't listen, bring it before the church. And if there's still no repentance, treat them as you would an unbeliever—with love, but with clear boundaries about church membership.Jesus said that unity is a powerful witness to the world. It's not natural for people from different backgrounds to come together as one family. But when churches work together to fulfill God's mission, people notice. Unity attracts.My prayer is that your church will experience the kind of unity that honors God and draws people to the cross.
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