Learning Community, Not Isolation: A Mental Health Crisis in the Church

Sep 3, 2018

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What happens when the pastoral spotlight becomes too heavy to bear—and no one sees the weight until it’s too late? Mike Erre and longtime friend Andy Lara reflect deeply on the tragic suicide of Inland Hills Church pastor Andrew Stoecklein, a young leader whose public transparency about his mental health struggles still couldn’t prevent a heartbreaking end. This raw discussion examines broader issues of how we as individuals, communities, and the Church respond to mental illness—and what goes awry when simplistic solutions meet complex pain.

Unpacking the pressures of pastoral leadership, the toxic success culture of the modern American church, and the harmful theological prescriptions often offered in response to depression, Mike and Andy challenge listeners to reimagine spiritual community as a space of solidarity—not isolation.

Key Takeaways: • The Hidden Costs of “Success” – Why growing attendance, staff, and budgets often don’t correspond to spiritual or emotional health for pastors. • Performance Culture in the Church – How the celebrity pastor model exacerbates spiritual isolation, performance anxiety, and suppresses vulnerability. • The Limits of Spiritual Clichés – Why phrases like “fix your eyes on Jesus” or “rest in God’s sovereignty” may do harm when offered as one-size-fits-all solutions to mental illness. • Embodied Faith, Not Spiritual Gnosticism – Reframing mental health through holistic, embodied support—embracing therapy, medication, community presence, and practical care. • A Call to Pursue, Not Push Away – Why the church must learn to lean in with compassion, presence, and support when someone is spiraling—not retreat under the guise of sabbatical or spiritual advice.

Notable Quotes: • “It’s not that they want to die—they want relief. And everything else they’ve tried hasn’t worked.” • “The opposite of depression recovery isn’t willpower—it’s connection.” • “When someone’s honest about struggle, the worst thing we can do is hand them a prescription with seven spiritual buzzwords and back away.”

Resources Mentioned: • Andrew Stoecklein’s final sermon and Kayla Stoecklein’s public letter (search “Inland Hills Church blog”) • Anchor podcasting app – anchor.fm • John Mark Comer & Mark Sayers – This Cultural Moment podcast • The Gospel Coalition’s article on supporting loved ones with depression – [Search TGC depression article]

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

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