The Pastor with a Thorn in His Side

by Stephen Kneale (Editor)

Depression is increasingly common. This is no less true for those in ministry. Many suffer with depression but for various reasons feel unable to tell their churches about it. Similarly, church members often see the problem, or struggle themselves, but don’t know what to do or how to help.

This collection of real-life stories from pastors who have suffered from depression exists to encourage others in similar positions and to help church members better support their pastor when depression strikes.

- Written by pastors who have/do struggle with depression
- Multiple stories present a variety of viewpoints and experience
- Offers practical advice on supporting pastors who are suffering with depression

Genres: Christian

144 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2021

Reviews

[Jonathan Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of very honest accounts of depression by church ministers. Each chapter is a personal account of depression, anxiety, self harm, and suicidal tendencies, and ends with some insights onto what helped and didn’t help.
Each chapter is both heart wrenching and warming. To read of suffering but also see the common grace of GP’s, medication and taking therapies, as well as the gospel graces of friendship, people reading the Bible, taking you to a farm or talking about witch trials.... is really helpful.
It is a short book and therefore doesn’t cover everything. But, it helps us see that in a fallen world, any of us can suffer...And any of us can offer help.
Worth reading by pastors and non- pastors. Both with depression and without it.
Basically, read this book.

[Ed Creedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sobering read, but a helpful one. The seven stories within this book highlight the challenge of ministering with depression, and they rightly draw attention to an issue that needs further consideration. Each contributor is winsome, gentle and honest, and I hope their words offer comfort to others in ministry who wrestle with this illness.

A valuable contribution, but limited a little by offering less by way of 'so what' that I was expecting. Would have loved more on how the church can respond, in prayer, community, relationships etc. Though these things were touched upon in the conclusion their treatment was brief.

Not perfect, but a welcome read (if not an enjoyable or easy one). Full review to follow elsewhere later.

[Ben Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really appreciate the stories shared in the book. Very liberating to read for those who worry about their mental health making them too vulnerable for ministry.

I feel as though however the conclusions at the end are too brief to holistically help a church or group of leaders think thoroughly about how to approach mental health within the church family.

[Joel Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m confident that one of the best ways to deal with depression, and to learn about it if you haven’t suffered with it, is talking about it. Personal experiences are so powerful to make something real and get it out in the open, so I’m grateful for the men who have shared theirs in this book.

There are seven stories from pastors who have suffered from depression at one time or another. They explain what led to it, how they dealt with it, in some cases how they deal with it, and what was or wasn’t helpful as people supported them.

Having suffered from depression myself, I found it helpful to remember that sufferers are not alone and even those who we would naturally think are immune indeed suffer themselves too.

[Thomas Creedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of personal stories shows that pastors wrestle with their thoughts just like other humans.

Some helpful reflections. Several stories resonated With my own experience - it was particularly interesting to see the spread of experiences across ages.

Instant takeaway (apart from some questions) is about the demands we place on pastors. And their families.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice collection of testimonies from local pastors who are suffering or have suffered from depression. There is some good advice about what each of them found helpful or unhelpful during their illness. However, and I know this was not the aim of the book but, I felt it would have been good to have some more biblical insight and application.

[Phil Butcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really helpful book of real life stories of pastors who have in the past or currently live do live with depression.

[Jacqui Harbinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

To deal with the issue of depression/anxiety particularly within the Christian ministry is a huge undertaking particularly when you have conflicting opinions, such as those who believe as a Christian you should not be depressed or it is a taboo subject so should be swiped under the carpet but in this book everything is brought out into the open. It is very honest and shocking in its accounts of individuals but what struck me was how people watching these individuals dealt with the situation. I came at this book wanting answers as to how I personally should deal with someone who might say these words to me, "I'm feeling low", "I think I might be depressed", "It's all too much for me" etc etc. Yes I have learned a lot but it is like everything - we need to know how to handle it when it happens but can we really because as this book shows each case is individual. Individual in how it happens, how it is worked through, how we move forward in our lives and how we should respond as caring Christians. Yes I would have loved more practical tips as many have suggested in reviewing this book but I feel it has touched me from the perspective of realising how very deep and far reaching the effects are for the person going through such an experience. We might all say "I've felt like that" at times but probably never quite so low that we couldn't 'pull ourselves out'. However identifying signs of depression/anxiety in others is something we should never claim to be able to do as we ourselves think we know it all. There is the danger of being judgemental, over reactive, not willing to get involved and if anything this book has made me reflect on my own personal reactions. Something I need to work on for the future! A brilliant easy to read book but having read it twice I think there is more to be discovered in each page and I definitely will pick it up again and again, not as a reference but more to keep my own thoughts and feelings in check - I mean how do you deal with such a disclosure particularly from someone who you have respect for, look up to and feel that it is surely impossible for them to be in such a situation?

[Sean McGowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very helpful.

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, solid, honest reflections!