Steve Bloem (M.Min. Baptist Bible Seminary, Clarks Summit, Penn.) is a registered social worker and has many years of clinical training and continuing education hours in the treatment of mental illness. But it was his own struggle with depression that led him to write this book. Robyn Bloem has been a volunteer in a variety of inner-city and church ministries for more than twenty years.
"I have a personal interest in Steven and Robyn Bloem's book
because I too am a pastor 'on pills.' My depression remained
undiagnosed from the age of twenty until the age of fifty. That was
largely because I put my cyclic low periods down to fatigue and
refused to seek medical help. I was greatly helped, however, by the
elders and members of Little Hill Church near Leicester, where I
was pastor for 15 years. They had the right ideas about clinical
depression being organic in origin and eventually prevailed on me
to seek appropriate help. . . .These spells I now recognise as
being good for me, 'thorns in the flesh' keeping me from being
over-elated or arrogant (2 Corinthians 12:7). I also find that my
personal experience of clinical depression has brought me two other
benefits as a pastor�it has taught me to rely more on the God who
is able to raise the dead and has given me a great sympathy for,
and understanding of, those who suffer from depression (2
Corinthians 1:3-11)."--David Gregson "evangelical-times.org"
(9/1/2006 12:00:00 AM)
"This is a candid and spirit affirming story of a family's personal
struggle, not only with mental illness, but also in finding where
they fit into the body of Christ and His ministry. Considering that
10% of the world's adult population suffer from some form of mental
illness, this book could well be required reading for pastors,
elders, and Christian counselors or for anyone who is called to
minister with understanding and unbiased care. The book is solidly
based on a scriptural foundation with ample clinical information to
appeal to the lay person or anyone in a counseling capacity.
Informative, honest and helpful, this work shatters the old stigmas
and perceptions of mental illness and depression. It is well
written with enough heart and hope to balance the seriousness of
the subject. Interesting reading."--Sandra Thayer "Author's Choice
Reviews" (12/1/2005 12:00:00 AM)
"This is the best Christian perspective on depression I have read.
A young American Baptist is about to start his first pastorate when
he is incapacitated by a severe clinical depression. The story is
told by the man himself and also his wife. She in turn suffers from
Seasonal Affective Disorder and Post-traumatic Stress. The author
shows how C. H. Spurgeon suffered from all three and yet he was a
great servant of God. The question is asked, does a mental
affliction disbar a man from pastoral ministry? The not unusual
experience related here is of some lack of understanding and
sympathy from Christians who deny the reality of mental illness or
attribute it all to the demonic."--Graham Weeks
"christianquoter.blogspot.com" (9/26/2006 12:00:00 AM)
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