Mature Leaders

Not long ago, the adult son of a famous Pastor took his own life in a tragic case of deep depression. Many of the comments by Christian "leaders" attacked the Pastor mercilessly.  I was aghast! However, the man was gracious and open about his grief and a very mature model of  a parent who lost a son. He wrote several internet posts begging churches to be more sensitive to people with deep emotional distress.

Several famous bloggers passed his posts on with a similar request for Pastors and churches to welcome people in pain. I agree 100% with those requests, but I am skeptical that it will happen. Soon after those posts came a Q & A with some prolific Christian bloggers who advised Pastors to tell any person that complains about his leadership to find another church.  They said to tell a person who complains, "If you don't like my way, hit the highway!"

Is that a welcoming message? Will any Pastor who gives the Left Foot of Fellowship to a dissatisfied member offer grace, mercy, and love to a mentally distressed person?

Distressed persons often act out their distress at church. They church desperately needs members who are well trained as Deacons and Elders to be Peer Care Givers. The church is not the place for Professional Counseling, but it needs many who are involved in Peer Helping. 


See Hope and Change for Humpty Dumpty to learn how to equip Peer Helpers.