Deus Misereatur

In what ways can a congregation actually help those with mental health issues? How have churches been harmful and hurtful toward those with mental illness? Are there sensible things pastors and elders can do in this area? Those, and many other questions, get answered by Timothy Mulder, graduate of Reformed Theological Seminary-Houston, who lives with an ongoing bipolar disorder, and his 196-page paperback “Suffering in Silence: Ministering to Those with Mental Illness”. It was written in 2023 “for those in the church who want to serve those with mental illness better” (ix) and, I think, hits its mark. Though the book is primarily dealing with how to help men and women living with depression a bipolar disorder, much of what is between these covers will aid pastors and congregants in serving people with other mental health diagnoses. Mulder addresses commonly held myths about mental illness, and quickly discusses a number of notable people throughout the ages who lived with ongoing menta...

  “ The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting. ” Since righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people, we earnestly and heartily pray to you, O reigning God, for our country. Reflecting on the 5th through 10th Commandment, we pray that we and our fellow residents will honor fathers and mothers and all legitimate authorities instead of disrespecting aging parents, teachers, police officers or magistrates. We pray that we all would turn away from murder in its various shapes and sophistications and would pursue all lawful endeavors to preserve life. We pray that we all would renounce proud sexual immorality and embrace chastity and life-long monogamy. We pray that everyone in this nation would cast aside all ways and means that unjustly hinder our own or our neighbor’s wealth and outward esta...