Episode 226 - Creating Mental-Illness-Literate Congregations with Kay Warren

Kay Warren joins Jeff and Jonny to talk about mental illness and the church. How do we equip our churches to become mental-illness-literate congregations? Kay describes what her dream church would look like if she could snap her fingers and make it happen! In this episode there is a little humor and a lot of seriousness around this very sobering topic.
 
Let’s admit it, our churches should be the friendliest, most helpful, most encouraging spaces for people with mental illness. In this episode Kay will give you a plan to help your church arrive at just such a place!

Pastor, there are people in your church who are suffering from mental illness, and they NEED your support, encouragement, prayer, and recognition. Kay will give you some very concrete and practical suggestions for doing these things.

Below are the four books that Kay suggested that we as pastors buy, or pick up from the library, and read. We can dive into theological or ministry books ad nauseum, but Kay recommends these four as great primers on understanding people in our community and church who suffer with mental illness.

You can follow all that Kay is doing as an advocate for mental health issues, HIV&AIDS, orphan care, and much more at www.kaywarren.com. Follow Kay on Twitter at @kaywarren1.

Kay mentioned the following resources to help you as a pastor understand mental illness:
Grace for the Afflicted: A Clinical and Biblical Perspective on Mental Illness
Suffering and the Heart of God: How Trauma Destroys and Christ Restores
Troubled Minds: Mental Illness and the Church's Mission
Resurrecting the Person: Friendship and the Care of People with Mental Health Problems