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Episode 089 – Pastor Suicide, Mental Health and Questions Of Faith, Part 1

On September 12, 2019 the mainstream media covered the suicide-death of Pastor Jarrid Wilson from California. The word that was often used was – “Another”. Another Pastor commits suicide. Another faith-leader struggles with mental health. “Another” church wrestles with some heavy theological questions about the mind and faith. In some cases this word “another” was aptly used.  Have widespread access to a 24-hour  new cycle, we have all been privy to the weighty realities of Pastors who have committed suicide recently.

This article speaks to the issue and names additional Pastor’s (and their families, churches and communities) that have been faced with these realities.

Suicide is a growing public health crisis and the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 34, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2017, more than 47,000 people died by suicide — a rate of about one every 11 minutes. And Pastors and Ministry Leaders are not immune to these realities.

We welcomed Pastor Adrian Crawford to the studio for a pretty in depth conversation about mental health, suicide and our personal joys of navigating life and ministry and leadership. Pastor Crawford shares in detail about his own challenges and life story of navigating all of the responsibilities that he has being victorious over the area of mental health and emotional stability.  You can connect with Pastor Crawford here:

You can read a few additional articles about Pastors and Suicide and the Challenges of Mental Health and Faith here (in no particular order): Article 1 | Article 2 | Article 3 | Article 4

 

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About Our Host:

Christopher J. Harris, a native of Palatka, Fla., is currently Executive Pastor of Crossover Church of Tampa, Fla. He is also the Director of Administration & Vision Implementation overseeing the day to day operations of the Atlanta Headquarters office for Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International. He’s served at ministries in Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Chicago,IL. He’s an author and blogger with two books, Temporary Assignments and Church Strategies and Ministry Systems. He’s an alumnus of Florida State University, University of South Carolina, special studies at Princeton Theological Seminary and doctoral work at Nova Southeastern University. Harris currently resides in Florida with his wife Dr Carmen J Harris and their children.

You can check him out here: www.ChristopherJHarris.com

You can see his Social media here on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Periscope, and LinkedIn ALL at @CJHarrisOne

Here are Christopher’s Theological Beliefs: http://christopherjharris.com/what-i-believe/

He is affiliated with the following organizations (among others): www.CrossoverChurch.org , https://www.fullgospelbaptist.org/, http://www.mosaix.info/ , and https://www.biblicalleadership.com/

Thank You’s:

My family for their commitment to the vision to inspire wisdom in others and release me to endeavors like this. To my Producer, Kevin Scullion. (Note: Want your name listed here? Leave a review of this podcast and you may find your name listed here…)