Resilient Church Leaders, Part 3: Psychology’s Thoughts on the Faith and the Church

Mental health professionals and spiritual directors would benefit in their work from cooperation with each other.

Question 1: Teenagers and their struggle with anxiety seem to be high today. What do you recommend from the church’s perspective?”

A study published just last year showed a concerning increase (over 70 percent) in psychological distress (e.g., mood disorders like anxiety and depression and suicide risk) between Millennials and Generation Z. While there is likely no single reason for this increase in mental health problems, research suggests that the rise of social media, increase in electronic communication, and less children getting enough sleep are all likely part of the problem.

The church has a vital role to play in shepherding young people and can be an especially important resource for teens who may have experienced rejection from other groups.

The presence of social support, including meaningful connections with peers, secure family ties, and intentional connections with mentors, is one of the most accurate ways to predict psychological health. As teens grow up less and less used to in-person forms of connection, it is important that church leaders become more persistent and intentional about inviting teens into in-person physical community. Keep reaching out and offering connection even to teens who rarely or never respond.

The church, at its best, should be a place of welcome and shelter for young people in need of a refuge in a world of conditional love and shallow communication. We can model true Christian fellowship by letting each child know that their presence is an essential part of the life of the church.

However, the church is more than a social club and has the primary responsibility to introduce teens to a life lived in the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.

The church has such excellent ...