When Hurting People Come to Church: How People of Faith Can Help Solve the Mental Health Crisis - Hardcover

by Shaunti Feldhahn (Author), James N. Sells (Author), Carey Nieuwhof (Foreword by)

People are hurting at a scale we've never seen. They're dealing with an onslaught of issues like anxiety, grief, mental illness, family troubles, and hopelessness. Pastors and counselors can't see everyone in need. This book can help.

Based on national research with more than 2,000 church leaders, social researcher and bestselling author Shaunti Feldhahn and psychologist and professor Dr. James Sells show how this is the church's moment -and present a tested vision that is already thriving in churches of every size across the country!

We have an incredible opportunity to bring healing to the hurting, take the load off of the already-too-busy pastor and counselor, and grow healthy church communities of care--for now and many years to come.

Today, we face a dramatic rise in every psychological and spiritual need, just as affordable counseling solutions are more difficult to find. For perspective, 25 million people--more than the population of Florida--are not getting help for severe anxiety alone. Enter the church and millions of Christian lay people who understand brokenness, grace, and the power of relationship.

In every community, the church has the opportunity to be a key place people go for help. In fact, church growth experts describe this type of church care ministry as the evangelism, discipleship, and church growth method of the 21st century.

This book will share how this works, and equip you as a busy leader to:

• understand the mental health crisis in your community
• raise up motivated lay people within the church to help address the spiritual and emotional needs of the hurting
• partner with counselors and other mental health professionals most effectively
• organize the church's time and resources to reach the most people, while freeing you to step in where you are most needed
• grow your outreach to your community

Don't miss this opportunity to meet people's needs, grow your people, and grow your church.

Author Biography

Shaunti Feldhahn, PhD, is a bestselling author, popular speaker, and social researcher known for her groundbreaking work to help people thrive in life, faith, leadership, and relationships. Her research-based books, such as For Women Only, For Men Only, Find Rest, and The Kindness Challenge, are filled with surprising and practical insights, selling more than three million copies in twenty-five languages.

Shaunti holds a master's degree from Harvard University and a doctoral degree in counseling and psychological studies from Regent University. She started out on Wall Street before unexpectedly diving into social research. Shaunti speaks at dozens of events each year to women, couples, and Christian leaders, sharing her fascinating research findings about the transformative little truths that help us thrive in life, faith, and relationships.

Shaunti and her husband, Jeff, live in Atlanta, Georgia. When they are not on the road speaking at marriage events, they love having coffee together every morning, spending time with their adult son, daughter, and son-in-law, and enjoying every minute of life at warp speed.

James N. Sells, PhD, is a psychologist, counseling professor, the Hughes Endowed Chair of Christian Thought in Mental Health Practice, and codirector of the Charis Institute at Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA.