"Navigating a mental health issue in your family..."
That was the title from our presenter last night, Ben Rudolph. Ben was a pastor and counselor for many years in North Carolina and currently serves as the Executive Director at Lake Ann Camp. If you missed last night, you missed more than I can recap here, but I will try to recap the three primary aspects of his talk.
1. What is mental health?
Most mental health, as Ben explained, deals with the areas of anxiety, depression, grief, addiction of some sort, and relational conflict.
It is important to figure out if this is a spiritual or psychological issue and to navigate how counseling plays a role in the plan of recovery.
While we are in the midst of a mental health crisis or helping someone who is, it is important to make sure we don't fall in the ditches. We don't want to make it all about the mental and none about the physical and we need to make sure we don't ignore the mental and make it all about the physical.
We must also understand that God and the gospels are sufficient. That is not to say that all we need is three Bible verses a day and everything will go away, but we need to understand that our mental health issues do not define us. God has given us a way to overcome.
2 Peter 1:3 "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,"
2 Corinthians 10:5 "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,"
2. How to help someone going through a mental health crisis.
Ben mentioned 5 P's.
Partner - God is the hero. We need to remember that we are partnering with God. He is the hero of the story not us.
Power - God is able. His name is power, His blood is power, the resurrection of Jesus is power, the Word of God is power, prayer is powerful, the Love of God is power. He is the one who has the power to help overcome.
Presence - Our greatest gift to those hurting is the ministry of presence.
Patience - God's timetable for help and healing is always better than ours.
Prudence - The process of healing is unique to that individual. No two people's stories or solutions to problems are the same.
3. What to do when you are hurting and struggling.
- Don't let your problem become your identity.
- Define your destination. Is it relief or joy?
- Keep walking in faith, hope, and love.
a. Faith - God is greater than your problem; your mind is greater than your brain; change is possible
b. Hope - See your life as a story. What's your next chapter? You have agency.
c. Love - Meditate on the "hesed" love of God; instead of harsh judgment lead with curiosity and kindness (Romans 2:4).
- Don't be afraid to seek profession help.
But - choose a good one. Make sure they line up with Christian worldviews. Ask what theoretical approach they use. Make sure you get along with them. See if they have a proven track record with your current issue.
That was just a recap. For those who could make it, I hope there was at least one good take away you were able to hold on to.
Reminders
- If you or your student would like to buy a Thrive shirt, you can now purchase through our website at Thrive Cart | CalvaryGreenville.org. You can check out the design and options there. Deadline to order is October 7.
- If you have not filled out and returned your parent consent form, please have your student pick up a form on Wednesday, fill it out and return it as soon as possible.
Upcoming Events
September 16 - Early Release 11am-noon at MidTown. Pizza, chips, and Life Story. Early Release is for students 6-12 grade. Early release is a ministry designed to reach our local Greenville community of students who have a half day and are looking for a place to connect.
October TBD - Neewollah
October 7, 14 - Youth Baptism Class for those interested in baptism. We will meet at MidTown at 5:30pm those two nights. October 25 will be the date of our next baptism.
November 1 - Rake and Run following church. Pizza provided. Please bring your own rake/blower. We will return to Calvary by 4pm
November 14 - Flag Football. More details to come
December 30 - Night Shift. More details to come
January 15-17, 2027 - DATE CHANGE Lake Effect is January 15-17, not February. This is our winter camp that we will be running with a couple other churches. Sign ups will be coming later this Fall and through Calvary.
June 7-12, 2027 - DATE CHANGE The mission trip is June 7-12, not the 14-19. Bridge United: Go South will be held at Somerset Beach Campgrounds. Registration will be open as of October 1. Early bird discounts will be available through December 31, 2026, and then the price will go up every couple of months until the mission trip. This is for 6-12th grade. We will be serving local communities in a variety of ways.
August 1-8, 2027 - Mission trip with CBM "Sampler" to visit church planters around the U.S. This is for Juniors, Seniors and those out of high school. More details to come.