Wannabee
Obi Wan Kenobi
Gentlemen I share LF's concerns. The things neither Pastor Tim or Pastor Kevin nor Pastor Joe seem to be aware of are these:
1. Depression can and often does put a barrier between the sufferer and the Word of God. Drugs will stop the destructive thoughts long enough to accurately hear any counsel or therapy.
2. Inequity in mental health coverage. The insurance companies will pay for Prozac but not for the therapy that is needed in concert with the meds. So people are on meds long term they should be on for a few months (to allow the "noise" to calm down.
3. Bipolar is real. Schizophrenia is real. Psychosis (short or long term) is real. Saying they are "sin" does nothing but create shame, fear and pain for the families impacted by these diseases.
I would say this: Y'all don't know how many families you are serving are quietly suffering with a family history of mental illness (the UP has a lot of alcoholics who are "self medicating" their disorders).
Number 1 is accurate. Often the cycle can be broken by drugs. And, often the use of drugs can reveal to the counselee that they are depressed, when they denied it prior.
Number 2 is a non issue. Counseling costs nothing, unless you go to a professional. Pastors are shepherds, not professionals. If a pastor is able to work closely with the doctor and the doctor isn't of the "high and mighty" variety, then much can be accomplished through conventional medicine and biblical counseling, with no psychological treatment. In such cases I would neither advise the counselee to start nor stop taking anything. I would, however, advise them to seek medical help - never psychological help. Again, read my long quote. The goal is to help them build the skills to cope with what ails them, which is usually a failure to deal with sin properly. However, there are exceptions, which God uses to help conform us into the image of Christ. Spurgeon was an excellent example.
Number 3 is an empty assertion based on pseudo science. Yes, the experiences are real. And, yes, they might be caused by external or internal causes. But any sin, regardless of the cause, is sin. It can be helped. Bipolar, as I mentioned earlier, can be a real problem. However, most who are diagnosed are not bipolar, but depressed and don't have a proper view of God. Schizophrenia is nebulous and difficult to define. Generally it's accepted as an exaggerated response to fear, guilt and hopelessness. Generally there is no such thing as a Christian schizophrenic. (I said generally) Psychosis is too generic to deal with here.
Gail, I know you mean well, but you don't know our church. One woman has a husband who she has described as "self medicating" with alcohol. She sees the reality of what's happening, but he's not interested in the things of the Lord. Another couple is rebounding from a time of slipping back into drugs. The simple fact is, these folks were studying and practicing nouthetic counseling before I ever arrived. When I showed up I just blended in. So, actually, I am quite aware of how many families I'm serving that are "self-medicating." You picked on the UP, so obviously had me in mind when you made that assertion.
When it comes right down to it, regardless of the reasons, if the person will not accept biblical counseling then there's nothing we can do for them. If someone refuses to follow the counsel I give them and do their homework I stop working with them. They can go to any shrink and gain a sympathetic ear. But if they want to have victory in the spiritual battle they're facing then they need Scripture, pure and simple. This isn't cold and sterile. It's empathetic and loving, being more concerned with their soul than their immediate comfort or perceived needs. Even if much of their challenge is from some form of brain damage (yes, we have one of those too), genetic predisposition (I have worked closely with an autistic young man), chemical imbalance or whatever. They can see a doctor about their physiological issues. Leave matters of behavior to the sufficiency of Scripture. If this is denied then perhaps Paul's words to Timothy are considered superfluous.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
I will meet with any person, any time, to assist them in knowing God and growing in Christ. That's the focus, regardless of what ails them. And there is no fee.