A Safe Place for Pastors and Their Spouses Who Are Experiencing Weariness, Burnout and/or Crisis in Ministry
Release Date: 10/17/2017
"Finding Strength in the Journey: Yvonne Borgquist on Parenting a Child with Special Needs"
Fresh Hope for Mental Health
In this episode, Pastor Brad interviews Yvonne Borgquist, a mother whose only child, a 33-year-old son, is on the Autism Spectrum, Cognitively Delayed, and has Bipolar Disorder. Yvonne shares her journey of discovering her son’s diagnosis and navigating through challenging psychosis episodes during his teenage years. Today, her son lives in a group home, and Yvonne continues to find strength in the Lord throughout these experiences. Yvonne started a Special Needs Parenting/Caregiver Support Group at her church, Bay Presbyterian, and her involvement in the Key Ministry Prayer Team....
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"Mental Help: Josh Wilson’s Journey with Faith and Mental Health"
Fresh Hope for Mental Health
In this episode, Pastor Brad interviews singer-songwriter Josh Wilson, who recently released a new album titled "Mental Help," which delves into mental health and his faith in Jesus. Josh shares his personal story, including his battles with anxiety, depression, and addiction, and how his music documents his journey, offering inspiration to others facing similar struggles. Learn more about Josh and his music on his website: . Listen to his new album here: . Don’t forget to share this podcast with friends: .
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"Miriah Rossow's Journey Through Bipolar Disorder and Homelessness"
Fresh Hope for Mental Health
In this episode, Pastor Brad interviews Miriah Rossow, a member of the Fresh Hope support group, who shares her heartbreaking story of overcoming homelessness and navigating life with a bipolar type 1 diagnosis. In her early twenties, Miriah was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, leading to multiple hospitalizations and a challenging period where she became homeless for a couple of months during the winter. She recounts how a relative eventually introduced her to Fresh Hope, where she found the support and community she desperately needed. Miriah discusses the role Fresh Hope played in her...
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"How To Decrease Childhood Anxiety" with Andrew Blackwood
Fresh Hope for Mental Health
In this episode, we replay sessions from our 2023 virtual conference, Voices of Hope. Tune in to hear as he guides Christian parents through the Parental Peace Framework. Discover effective strategies to understand and address your child's anxiety, motivate them to excel daily, and resolve conflicts swiftly and peacefully. Learn how to stay calm in challenging moments and listen to your children in "Their Voice." Don’t forget to share this episode with friends on social media and explore more resources available at Fresh Hope (). Tune in to additional episodes on our website: ....
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"In Living Color" with Amy Skogerboe
Fresh Hope for Mental Health
In this episode, we present a compelling session from our virtual conference, Voices of Hope 2023, featuring Amy Skogerboe. Amy challenges listeners to see their brokenness as sovereign opportunities for God's plan to unfold and His greater story to come alive through their lives. Tune in to be inspired and to gain a new perspective on how your personal struggles can be part of a divine narrative. Don’t forget to share this episode with friends on social media and explore more resources available at Fresh Hope (). Tune in to additional episodes on our website: . Click If you would...
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"You Are Not Your Trauma" Interview with Caroline Beidler and Diana Dalles
Fresh Hope for Mental Health
In this episode, Pastor Brad interviews and her mother, Diana Dalles, co-authors of the book . Together, they share their powerful journey through trauma within their family, including substance abuse and the profound impact it had on their lives. They discuss the challenges they faced, the healing process, and how they found strength and resilience through their faith. Caroline and Diana's story is one of hope and inspiration, demonstrating that it is possible to overcome even the darkest of times. Their insights offer valuable lessons on dealing with trauma and finding a path to recovery....
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Finding Purpose in the Midst of Bipolar Disorder: Jesslyn McCutcheon’s Journey
Fresh Hope for Mental Health
In this episode, Pastor Brad interviews Jesslyn McCutcheon, who has lived with bipolar 1 disorder for the past 24 years. Jesslyn shares her journey of coming to terms with her mental illness and realizing her calling to minister in this area. Last year, she began speaking at different churches about creating stigma-free environments and the importance of spirituality and faith in mental health. Jesslyn is an active advocate for NAMI, speaking for their IOOV and NAMIFaithnet programs, and is studying to become a mental health coach through the American Association of Christian Counseling....
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Interview with Chris Morris, Author of "Resilient and Redeemed"
Fresh Hope for Mental Health
In this enlightening episode, Pastor Brad sits down with , the author of . Chris shares his deeply personal journey, recounting how he discovered God at the age of 15 while battling depression and suicidal thoughts. Through years of struggle, Chris has gained profound insights into mental health and the transformative power of faith. He emphasizes the critical role of support from family, friends, and the church in navigating these challenges. Join us for an inspiring conversation filled with hope, resilience, and practical wisdom for anyone facing similar battles.
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"From Darkness to Light: A Journey through Depression, Faith and Redemption" with Mark and Janet Soppitt
Fresh Hope for Mental Health
In this episode of the Fresh Hope for Mental Health podcast, Pastor Brad sits down with special guests Mark and Janet Soppitt, who bravely share their journey through a 7-year depression that nearly cost them everything, including Mark's life. Through their unwavering faith and resilience, they emerged from the darkness, rebuilt their lives, and now serve as trauma healing facilitators with the Canadian Bible Society. Mark's album "Take My Life and Let It Be" reflects their journey, while their vision for a life coaching business aims to support ministry couples in crisis. Join us as we glean...
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30 Ways to Make Your Life Worse Part 2
Fresh Hope for Mental Health
Welcome back to the second part of our podcast series, "30 Ways to Make Your Life Worse." If you haven't listened to the first part yet, we highly recommend starting there to catch up on the insightful discussion we had on the critical roadblocks to personal growth and fulfillment. Today Pastor Brad continues his exploration of these roadblocks, offering invaluable insights for recognizing and overcoming them. Dive deeper into the remaining 15 ways we inadvertently sabotage our own lives and explore how these roadblocks hinder personal growth and fulfillment. Don't forget to catch up on the...
info_outlineWe offer this special podcast as a point of hope and healing for pastors and those who serve in full-time ministry. Serving the Lord full-time in ministry can be challenging.
In this special edition of Fresh Hope for Mental Health for October, Pastor Appreciation Month, Pastor Brad interviews Mr. David Anderson who is the Founder and President of Shepherd's Canyon Retreat.
Shepherd's Canyon Retreat offers week-long counseling retreats for men and women in full-time ministry who are in the midst of various stages of burnout, stress, depression, and conflicts of all kinds. Each retreat can accommodate up to eight individuals. Our staff includes two counselors, a chaplain, and volunteers who provide outstanding hospitality.
We encourage you to pass this podcast onto your pastor and other ministry staff people at your church.
According to PastorBurnoutStatistics.com:
- 23% have been fired or pressured to resign at least once in their careers.
- 25% don't know where to turn when they have a family or personal conflict or issue.
- 25% of pastors' wives see their husband's work schedule as a source of conflict.
- 33% felt burned out within their first five years of ministry.
- 33% say that being in ministry is an outright hazard to their family.
- 40% of pastors and 47% of spouses are suffering from burnout, frantic schedules, and/or unrealistic expectations.
- 45% of pastors' wives say the greatest danger to them and their family is physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual burnout.
- Though I can find no specific statistics (I'm sure they are out there), the pastorate is seeing a significant rise in the number of female pastors.
- 45% of pastors say that they've experienced depression or burnout to the extent that they needed to take a leave of absence from ministry.
- 50% feel unable to meet the needs of the job.
- 52% of pastors say they and their spouses believe that being in pastoral ministry is hazardous to their family's well-being and health.
- 56% of pastors' wives say that they have no close friends.
- 57% would leave the pastorate if they had somewhere else to go or some other vocation they could do.
- 70% don't have any close friends.
- 75% report severe stress causing anguish, worry, bewilderment, anger, depression, fear, and alienation.
- 80% of pastors say they have insufficient time with their spouse.
- 80% believe that pastoral ministry affects their families negatively.
- 90% feel unqualified or poorly prepared for ministry.
- 90% work more than 50 hours a week.
- 94% feel under pressure to have a perfect family.
- 1,500 pastors leave their ministries each month due to burnout, conflict, or moral failure.
Yet, LifeWay Research says that pastors are not quitting in groves and offers different statistics and another perspective: http://www.lifeway.com/pastors/2016/09/28/pastors-are-not-quitting-in-droves/
“We have all heard, and perhaps shared, these “staggering” scary stats about pastors who leave the ministry every month. The truth is sometimes worse than myth, but fortunately not in this case.
- The prevailing myth = 1,500/1,700 pastors leave the ministry every month.
- The promising truth = 250 pastors leave the ministry every month.
Also, according to LifeWay, last September, the results of a groundbreaking LifeWay Research survey of 1,500 pastors of evangelical and historically black churches found only one percent abandon the pulpit each year. I can think of at least three implications from this groundbreaking research.
According to LifeWay, pastors are not quitters. But, LifeWay also says that while pastors are 'tough,' ministry is also 'tough,' and pastors need encouragement.”
According to LifeWay Research:
- 84 percent say they’re on call 24 hours a day
- 80 percent expect conflict in their church
- 54 percent find the role of pastor frequently overwhelming
After listening to this podcast, we encourage you to email us at [email protected] with a comment or question that we will share on our next podcast.
If you are listening to this podcast on iTunes, we encourage you to leave a comment regarding the podcast. Or you can leave a voice message for us on the site: www.FreshHope4MentalHealth.com
Pastor Brad Hoefs, the host of Fresh Hope for Mental Health, is the founder of Fresh Hope Ministries, a network of Christian mental health support groups for those who have a diagnosis and their loved ones. In other words, Fresh Hope is a Christian mental health support group.
Brad was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1995. He is a weekly blogger for www.bphope.com (Bipolar Magazine). He is also a certified peer specialist and has been doing pastoral counseling since 1985. Brad is also the author of Fresh Hope: Living Well in Spite of a Mental Health Diagnosis, which is available on Amazon or at www.FreshHopeBook.com
If you are interested in more information about Fresh Hope go to www.FreshHope.us or email [email protected] or call 402.932.3089.
To donate to Fresh Hope go to http://freshhope.us/donate/
For a complete list of where Fresh Hope groups are presently meeting, go to www.FreshHope.us and click on “find a group.” Or you may attain an online group of meetings of Fresh Hope by going to www.FreshHopeMeeting.com
If you are interested in starting a Fresh Hope group within your faith community, contact Julie at [email protected]
Fresh Hope for Mental Health is a production of Fresh Hope Ministries.
Fresh Hope Ministries is a non-profit ministry.
The copyrights of this program belong to Fresh Hope Ministries and may not be duplicated without written permission.
All of the podcasts of Fresh Hope Today, as well as numerous other videos, are all available on our YouTube channel: Fresh Hope Network
Fresh Hope for Mental Health is on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/FreshHopeforMentalHealth