Recently we interviewed Jon Noto, community life pastor at Willow Creek North Shore in the Chicago, IL, area. We took the opportunity to ask him about “impostor syndrome.” 1 What is the “impostor syndrome”? The phrase describes the experience of someone who is unable to internalize or accept his or her accomplishments, and there’s a consistent fear of being exposed. … [Read more...]
Helping a perfectionist paralyzed with a fear of failure
I will never measure up.” “I can’t do this. I won’t be successful!” “I sense impending doom; it’s out there, and it’s coming to get me.” You might think this sounds like the thinking of a procrastinator or someone who won’t take a risk. But these are the common thoughts of perfectionists who fear failure. They often don’t speak with confidence, and more than likely … [Read more...]
When teens struggle with their faith
We asked pastoral counselor Brad Hambrick this question: “What counsel would you give to the parents of a teenage daughter who announces, ‘I don’t think I want to be a Christian anymore’?” We thought his response would be especially valuable to youth pastors or youth leaders who might be having this sort of conversation with a teenager. Be sure to listen to her reasons … [Read more...]
Ministering to the reluctant and the resistant
While many people think the main part of the pastor’s job is simply to preach, the Scriptures tell us that the pastor is also called to shepherd people through the suffering of life. Shepherding people, though, is a difficult thing; it gets messy. Additionally, shepherding people through the difficulties in life can expose two different types of difficult people: The … [Read more...]
Changing ideas about the cause of depression
A good deal of recent research has been published that is really interesting to anyone involved in medicine and Christian counseling. Some of it takes commonly held ideas about the cause and treatment of depression and turns them upside down.1 Other articles give some encouragement about the role of Christian counseling in helping those who struggle with sadness and depression. … [Read more...]
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