coronavirus

What Helped My Despair

What Helped My Despair

“How are you?” It’s so hard to answer! “Yes, we’re fine. We are well, we don’t have the virus, we have food, and we have medication.” BUT, and a BIG BUT—sometimes I feel like screaming! I am despairing. This morning I read Psalm 77. The first few verses were how I felt in the middle of last night. This Psalm, and remembering God’s faithfulness showed me several things that helped my despair, and may help you, too.

How pastors can support mental health in the age of COVID-19.

How pastors can support mental health in the age of COVID-19.

A Barna study reported only 30 percent of pastors feel well-equipped to help their people deal with matters of mental or emotional health.

How Special-Needs Ministries Should Plan for Re-Entry

How Special-Needs Ministries Should Plan for Re-Entry

As our churches make plans for reopening following the guidelines suggested, the plans we make for the families we serve may be different. Our families may be the last ones to come back. And when they are ready, we need to have a plan in place to answer their first question: will my child be safe?

Important Changes Prompted By The Coronavirus Pandemic

Important Changes Prompted By The Coronavirus Pandemic

In the UK, where I live, there are stories of people being kind and helpful to the old, lonely and vulnerable. Those in distress from the coronavirus are being supported. For a long time, many in the Church have been crying out to God for justice for the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized and those who are often discriminated against, such as those with disabilities. It has taken a pandemic for us to realize that we all need to change.

Four Questions to Help Churches Engage With People of All Abilities

Four Questions to Help Churches Engage With People of All Abilities

As we all have a little more time at home because of Coronavirus, disability ministry leaders may be thinking ahead to summer. While summer brings an opportunity for rest, there are valid concerns for those who may be left out because of seasonal changes. There is a way of cultivating life with each other that protects the consistency of connections and cultivates an ongoing sense of belonging. Here are four questions to consider as your church builds communities of belonging to include people with disabilities.

Caring for our neighbors in a COVID-19 mental health crisis

Caring for our neighbors in a COVID-19 mental health crisis

Here's why I'd recommend Psychological First Aid to any pastor or church leader interested in quickly building capacity to care for large numbers of hurting people during the pandemic.

Safety in God in the Time of Coronavirus

Safety in God in the Time of Coronavirus

Witnessing and hearing of suffering can create a kind of paranoia for us. The unexpected can wreak fear, bitterness, and resentment. But we are kept and protected by the truth. In a world which seems to be spinning out of control, what does safety in God look like?