Friday, October 09, 2009

Mental illness and the church

I've been wanting to blog - much to tell you about, especially now that it's Mental Illness Awareness Week. But it's been hard to settle into it, though I will soon.

For now, though, I'd like to alert you to a superb article written by Frank Stirk for BC Christian News and canadianchristianity.com. Much of the article talks about my Living Room ministry. I'm excited about this. Happy about this, and hoping it will go a long way to reducing some of the stigma in the church. Please do have a look and pass the link on to others.

See you soon.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi, Marja -

I am so tickled to read about how effective your Living Room ministry is. God bless you for providing this valuable resource!

- Marie (Coming Out of the Trees)

Spin said...

Hmm, interesting article!! The study they did about people going to their Pastor's for help and getting turned away is shocking! But, it's so believeable - I had the same thing happen to me with a Pastor that I went to.

marja said...

Thank you, Marie. And I'm tickled to have found it go as far as it has.

Thank you for visiting.

- marja

marja said...

Writing Works - Yes, the amount of times pastors turn away people with mood disorders, telling them it's a spiritual problem IS shocking. I knew it was common, but didn't realize it was that common. And it happened to you...I'm sorry.

And I'm just so very grateful I have a more understanding pastor.

The problem is: How are we going to educate all these people? How are we going to help them see that there are medical issues at work here?

Now I'm getting all riled up again. Maybe time to blog about it?

But I've had a heavy day. I think it would be better for me to putter with my photographs.

Wendy Love said...

Marja,
What a wonderful article. It should give you a great deal of satisfaction to think that you are 'making a difference'. I applaud you for listening to God's voice in this.

marja said...

Hi Wendy,

Yes, I do have a lot to be grateful for this Thanksgiving, don't I? Such a wonderful article.

marja

Nancie said...

Marja,

Thanks for sharing this article with us. It is very encouraging. I am thankful to God for the ministry of Living Room and the way God has been using you and others who are passionate about this ministry to help so many who are struggling with bipolar and other mental illness. May God continue to bless you as you labour on for His sake and for His suffering children.

Praying for you and
the ministry of Living Room,
Nancie

marja said...

Thank you so much for your encouragement and prayers, Nancie. You are one of my biggest online supporters and I love you for it and I'm thankful for your example of faithfulness.

marja