missions
What Pastors Need to Recover About Mental Health
By John Starke at The Gospel Coalition
· June 5, 2026
· 10 min read
“I think some in our church have come to the end of their therapy.” I was sitting around a table with a handful of our church’s leaders, and one of them expressed this thought. He went on to explain that many who have been in therapy for years now seem to be complaining that they keep circling aroun
Key takeaway But I sensed in the discussion a hesitancy to be dismissive of mental health issues and interventions.
Why this matters
The challenge of addressing mental health in a therapeutic culture that has become increasingly self-focused is a complex issue for church leaders. As the lines between therapy and faith have become blurred, pastors must navigate the conversation with sensitivity, avoiding dismissal of mental health issues while also providing a constructive alternative. The concept of shalom, as presented by John Swinton, offers a biblical framework for understanding mental health that prioritizes human flourishing and wholeness. This approach recognizes the limitations of therapeutic culture, which can prioritize individual needs above all else, and instead emphasizes the importance of community, relationships, and spiritual well-being. By embracing this vision of shalom, church leaders can provide a more holistic and nuanced understanding of mental health, one that complements medical interventions while also addressing the deeper spiritual needs of their congregants. This nuanced approach can help pastors speak meaningfully to the mental health needs of their communities.
About this story
Original reporting by The Gospel Coalition . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit The Gospel Coalition . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: missions ·
Published: June 5, 2026 ·
Source: The Gospel Coalition ·
Reading time: 10 min
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What is this story about? “I think some in our church have come to the end of their therapy.” I was sitting around a table with a handful of our church’s leaders, and one of them expressed this thought. He went on to explain that many who have been in therapy for years now seem to be complaining that they keep circling aroun
When was this published? This article was first published on June 5, 2026 by The Gospel Coalition and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by John Starke at The Gospel Coalition. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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