Tackling Issues In The Pews

During our first Overcoming Emotional Baggage for Women Conference (2010), a conference aimed at supporting women with troubled souls and discouraged hearts, I spoke on a topic titled, “When Life Hurts…What Next?”. The aim was to encourage women to start their journey to restoration rather than continue to live with their unresolved issues.

Both myself and our other speaker, Sharon Platt-McDonald (Director of health, disability and women's ministries, Seventh-day Adventist Church) shared how our ‘unfinished businesses’ affects every aspect of our lives including our relationship with God and others. We also shared practical, biblical steps to support the attendees on their personal journeys to wholeness.

Years later, I can't help but wonder whether there is a case for the church to ‘up its game’ and do more in the area of emotional and mental wellbeing. Based on the extensive feedback we have had from attendees, the conversations, testimonies and the ever increasing requests for more events, resources, etc, I am fully persuaded that we have an unmet need in the body of Christ. Whilst we, as the church, have advanced in many areas, I truly believe we have a fair way to go when it comes to mind and soul matters. As a result, many of us, especially women, struggle to find solace. 

The Silencing Of The Lambs

Years back, I felt the church had remained silent and even inert on matters that pertained to the mind and soul, much less the specific needs women presented. Previously, we did see an uprise of initiatives like of Bishop T.D. Jakes’ “Woman Thou Art Loosed”, Juanita Bynum’s “No More Sheets”, and Joyce Meyer’s ministry, which thankfully, started many of us on our journeys to dealing with our baggage. It made us more self-aware and empowered us to do something about it.

When some of us started to speak up, we soon realised there was still a stigma attached to emotional/mental challenges. As a consequence, many kept silent especially after the insensitive responses from well meaning saints or rebuttals by people who I can only describe as being plagued with the ‘Jobs friends’ syndrome. And so we our voices were muffled to silence.

During the conference, Sharon Platt-McDonald (author, Healing Hearts, Restoring Minds) shared a heart-rending story that typifies this. The daughter of a church leader (who we will call Dinah) was raped by one of the church members in her study group. Sadly, it was decided the best way forward was to brush the matter under the carpet and cover it up instead of dealing with it (Sounds like Tamar all over again). As a result of not getting the necessary support she needed, Dinah experienced a mental breakdown and was institutionalised. It was at this institution Sharon met Dinah. Over time, Sharon was able to nurse her back to complete health through the Word of God, prayer and her nursing training. Today, Dinah is back on fire for God and fully restored. 

Issues In The Pews

Today, there are many ‘Dinah’s’ in the church who are breaking down on the inside – with no one to hear their stories much less do anything about it. Over the years, I have spoken to many Dinah’s who feel there is a lack of specific support within their local church. 

In my opinion, some churches are doing a great work on this regard. They have developed restorative/wellbeing strategies, policies and programmes. Some have forged links with external organisations to tackle the needs of the Dinah’s (or our wounded soldiers). However, these tend to be few and far between and are not necessarily accessible to all. So couple this with the fear of opening up, you get women (and men too) who remain traumatised and hurting for years.

So why should it surprise us when we hear of a saint committing suicide, experiencing a break down or leaving the church to find solace elsewhere? Is the devil really to blame here or is it a case of us not being our sisters/brothers keeper? I believe all of us, from the pulpit to the pews, can do much more in this regards. And we don't have to wait for a crisis to happen before we take action.

A New Season Is Dawning

Today, I perceive an awakening in the body of Christ. An indication of this is the springing up of parachurch initiatives like Mind and Soul (Premier), the Mental Health Strategy for Churches (Sharon Platt-McDonald/Seventh-day Adventist Church), The Wholeness Academy (Rev. Jacqueline Peart, Deep Calleth Unto Deep Ministries) and our very own Overcoming Emotional Baggage for Women initiative and eWoman Groups (to mention a few). I know there are many more organisations out there, however, I pray for a more joined up approach between such initiatives, (whose primary goal is to serve the Body) and the local church. Ultimately, the goal is to get support to those who need it so people no longer need to perish because of lack of knowledge.