Ministering to the Depressed Person

Abstract

The depressed persons whom a pastor meets in his daily work often express their pain at having lost faith in God. In addition to referral, a pastor may help the depressed person discover the resources of a “naked faith,” the capacity to hold on in the hope of a spiritual death and rebirth. Much more can be done, and done best by the pastor. First he may gather together the depressed person's entire family and interpret to them the meaning of depression, effecting thereby a kind of “family absolution” for the suffering person. He may also tap the resources of those with whom the depressed person has positive relationships. By gathering them into a supportive group around the depressed person, the pastor actualizes the church as both an inspirational and a healing reality.