tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365814381657153979.post7188893174347430718..comments2024-02-28T14:06:53.506-05:00Comments on Bivocational Ministry: When ministers battle depressionDennis Bickershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09632447492918233808noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365814381657153979.post-60694144460361484462014-08-24T07:52:23.081-04:002014-08-24T07:52:23.081-04:00I am so sorry, R, that you and your family are goi...I am so sorry, R, that you and your family are going through this. The person going through depression is not the only one with pain; it impacts every person in the family as well as many outside the family. I am also sorry that the church he was serving treated him poorly in his time of need. Some churches seem to be unable to minister to the minister during his or her times of need and want to only condemn the pastor for being human.<br /><br />The good news about depression is that it will often heal itself, but unless the underlying issues are addressed it will likely re-appear when those issues return. That is why I strongly encourage people to see their doctor and a skilled pastoral counselor when going through depression. Doing so can speed up the process and help keep the depression from returning.<br /><br />Please ask your husband to DM me if he would like to talk. I would be glad to spend some time with him. I do care.Dennis Bickershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09632447492918233808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365814381657153979.post-6338685521853260832014-08-24T03:07:19.750-04:002014-08-24T03:07:19.750-04:00Thank you for this! My husband has been a bi-vocat...Thank you for this! My husband has been a bi-vocational pastor for almost twenty years. Last winter, he resigned from his most recent pastorate due to burn-out and depression. Earlier in the year, he asked the church for time off and compassion. He received condemnation and judgement for taking off five Sunday mornings and two Sunday nights! Thus far, he has been unwilling to consider that he is clinically depressed, even though I see evidence of depression and have gently asked him to see a doctor. Some days are better than others for him and I hope I am seeing evidence of progress toward health. Currently, we are at least 18 months into this illness/burnout/mid-life-reevaluation. The whole family suffers with the afflicted.Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05103883768994470551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365814381657153979.post-85385593294923426862014-08-20T13:01:30.969-04:002014-08-20T13:01:30.969-04:00Thank you, Dustin. I'm sorry your family memb...Thank you, Dustin. I'm sorry your family members would not seek treatment. My prayer is that as the church discusses this issue and offers help to people that more will seek the treatment they need to overcome this disease. No one needs to be ashamed to seek treatment for a medical condition, and that is what depression is.Dennis Bickershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09632447492918233808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365814381657153979.post-79874380533586648812014-08-20T11:36:36.114-04:002014-08-20T11:36:36.114-04:00Thank you very much for addressing this serious to...Thank you very much for addressing this serious topic. Too many people suffer through it without ever opening up. No one should be concerned about seeking help. I really liked your analogy about pneumonia. That is so true! I have seen depression destroy members of my family because they would not seek treatment. Thanks again.<br /><br />In Christ,<br />DustinJ. Dustin Longhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00640999128421131889noreply@blogger.com