Leadership journal recently ran an interesting article about ministering in the age of Zoloft. In a study conducted in 2006, researchers found that over 190 million prescriptions were given for antidepressants. Another worldwide study found that America ranks at the top of a list of countries that suffer from immense depression. That means we preachers are preaching to a congregation whose faces are stained with tears.
Please take a moment to read through the Leadership article. Take a moment to think through your own pastoral situation and your congregational context. How does the current state of things affect our preaching?
Posted by Brian Lowery at 8:20 AM on January 17, 2008
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The question that seeks an answer is,"Can preaching become counseling?" I have to say, "Yes," because I've done it. Who wouldn't rather counsel a whole congregation rather than one at a time? People seek things like affirmation (a huge need) and what better model than the baptism and recurrent times when the Father says, "I am well pleased." Or, the power of forgiveness in all its spiritual and emotional aspects?
American churches are full of anti-depressant people and that shouldn't surprise any of us because the place where many can get the undergirding they need to become whole people is used as an option: ie, the family, the church, the Sunday School, church activities, etc.
Do all people who get antidepressants need them? No. But, some do, and that % can be blessed by the church's ministry.
Posted by: Robert Szoke on January 17, 2008