Mental Health and the Mission of the Church

What happens when mental illness and faith become tangled together? In this episode of Mental Health and the Mission of the Church, Pastor Chip Judd, Joey Svendsen, Dr. Cassie Reid, and Christie Henderson have an honest conversation about intrusive thoughts, OCD, scrupulosity, depression, and the culture of mental health within the church. Whether you've personally struggled, love someone who has, or serve in church leadership, this episode is an invitation to replace simplistic answers with compassion, curiosity, and hope.

Church leadership can be deeply meaningful, but it can also be emotionally demanding. In this episode, Pastor Chip Judd is joined by leadership coach and pastor Mac Lake for a conversation about mental health, ministry, and the importance of healthy boundaries. Together, they discuss the pressures many church leaders face, why isolation can be so damaging, and how creating margin in our lives allows us to serve others more effectively. Mac shares practical insights from years of ministry experience, including how learning to say "no" can protect both leaders and their families.

Mental health is more than a diagnosis. In this episode, Pastor Chip Judd and Dr. Baron Short explore four dimensions that shape our mental well-being: Disease, Disorder, Disconnection, and Disorientation. Joined by Pastor Chris Russo, who shares his experience with severe OCD, and Joey Svendsen, who opens up about a recent struggle with anxiety, the conversation offers an honest look at mental health through both scientific and spiritual lenses. 

This episode explores the growing divide between mental health conversations and the church, featuring Dr. Warren Kinghorn, a psychiatrist and professor with deep roots in Christian faith. Dr. Kinghorn draws a distinction between clinical mental health care and the church’s role in discipleship, while Chip Judd challenges the need for greater integration between the two. Ultimately, it’s a thoughtful, “iron sharpens iron” dialogue about how faith and mental health can work together—not in competition, but in partnership.

What happens when cutting-edge science collides with a life-changing encounter with Jesus? In this episode of Mental Health and the Mission of the Church, Joey and I are joined by Jeff Leinberger and Dr. Baron Short—psychiatrist, researcher, and leader in brain stimulation treatments for depression. But this conversation goes beyond clinical insight. Dr. Short shares a recent, deeply personal encounter with Jesus that reshaped not only his life but the way he sees his work, his purpose, and the future of mental health care.

In this episode of Mental Health and the Mission of the Church, Pastor Scott Sauls shares his journey through burnout and recovery, offering honest insight into the pressures of church leadership. He highlights the importance of mental health, healthy organizational structures, and leading with humility, challenging leaders to honor their limits and build sustainable, life-giving ministries.

What if mental health wasn’t separate from discipleship… but essential to it? Chip Judd, Pastor Armando, and Dr. Chris Adams explore how the church can better care for people by integrating mental health principles into everyday ministry. This is the kind of conversation that creates healthier leaders—and a healthier church.

In this episode of Mental Health and the Mission of the Church, Chip Judd and guests explore the growing conversation around mental health within the church. Through personal stories and honest discussion, they unpack how anxiety, depression, and leadership pressures affect pastors and ministry leaders. The conversation highlights the importance of integrating mental health awareness into pastoral care, understanding the difference between moral failure and predatory behavior, and why healthy leaders are essential to a healthy church.

In this mini episode, Chip Judd and Chip Henderson unpack the idea of “fake vulnerability” — the kind of honesty that sounds transparent but still keeps people at a safe distance. With clarity and humility, they challenge church leaders to move beyond surface-level transparency and into the kind of self-awareness and courage that fosters genuine mental and emotional health. This conversation builds on the powerful stories and insights shared in Part 1 and Part 2 of Building a Mentally Healthy Church — be sure to listen to the full episodes for the complete picture.

In Part 2 with Chip and Christie Henderson, the conversation shifts from personal mental health struggles to the broader impact of emotional health on church leadership and culture. They explore the difference between faux vulnerability and true authenticity, the role of medication and professional help in healing, and the resistance leaders often face when advocating for change. The episode emphasizes that emotional health is part of spiritual formation, that integrity requires alignment in every area of a leader’s life, and that a healthy ministry begins with healthy individuals. Ultimately, they argue that creating a shame-free, restorative church culture is a fight — but one worth pursuing.

Chip Judd and Joey Svendsen sit down with Chip and Christy Henderson for an honest, deeply personal conversation about mental health in ministry. This episode is a reminder that mental health awareness is not optional in ministry—it’s essential.  P.S. Click HERE to download My Toad app and use promo code “CHIP10”.

In this conversation, Hannah Bookbinder discusses the critical role of dopamine as a neurotransmitter in executive functioning. She explains how dopamine is necessary for following through on plans and how its absence can hinder various cognitive skills.

The church talks a lot about discipleship but what if we’re overlooking something essential? In our latest episode of Mental Health and the Mission of the Church, we sit down for a candid and challenging conversation about the intersection of faith, emotional health, and the true mission of the church. Together, we explore hard questions many leaders and believers are already wrestling with.

In this conversation, Chip Judd, Joey Svendsen, and Jen Jackson explore the intersection of mental health and autism. Jen shares her personal journey of discovering her autism diagnosis in adulthood and discusses the unique experiences of autistic individuals, including sensory processing differences, the concept of masking, and the importance of self-acceptance. The discussion also touches on the challenges of anxiety and depression within the autistic community and emphasizes the need for supportive environments that foster emotional well-being.

He shot himself. And the lungs that once gave him life… gave life again. This story isn’t easy—but it’s full of redemption, faith, and the power of generosity in the face of grief.

In this powerful episode, Chip Judd and Joey sit down with Armando Palazzo—a licensed pastor and therapist who works with church leaders around the world. Together, they explore the deep connection between emotional health and spiritual maturity, especially in the lives of those leading others. Armando shares how returning to life after a major shift can feel like stepping into a different movie and why tending to the soul is critical in every season. They discuss the impact of early life experiences, the importance of integrating faith with mental health practices, and how vulnerability in leadership can create a culture of healing. This conversation is a timely reminder that emotional health is not separate from discipleship—it’s central to it.

What happens when pastors get real about mental health, community, and the messiness of leadership? In this episode, Chip Judd, Josh Roberts, Virgil Sierra, and Joey Svendsen open up about: – The power of friendship among pastors – Leading diverse, bilingual churches – Therapy, emotional health, and why it all matters for ministry – Normalizing counseling in discipleship – Laughing through the hard stuff This is an honest, hopeful, and needed conversation for anyone in ministry (or who loves someone who is).

In this conversation, Chip Judd, Chris Russo, and Joey discuss the complexities of mental health, particularly in the context of church leadership. They explore personal experiences with anxiety, OCD, and the role of medication in managing mental health. The discussion highlights the intersection of faith and mental health, the importance of self-awareness, and the challenges of coping mechanisms. The speakers share insights on how their experiences shape their understanding of mental health within the church community. 

In this conversation, Chip and Jesse dive into the complexities of authority within the church, the importance of community in spiritual growth, and the need to re-evaluate leadership structures. They discuss the burdens placed on pastors, the intersection of pastoring and counseling, and the necessity of creating a safe environment for spiritual exploration.

Chip and Jesse Evans (licensed therapist, and owner of Steadfast Christian Counseling,) discuss personal experiences, the role of pastoral counseling versus professional therapy, and the need for education and understanding in both communities. They highlight the misconceptions surrounding mental health and the necessity of building bridges between mental health professionals and church leaders to better serve individuals seeking help.

Chip discusses faith, intimacy, and the irony of surviving due to another’s mental health crisis. The conversation explores grief, mental illness, organ donation, and the importance of boundaries in relationships. It also underscores the non-linear nature of grief, the role of medication, and the need for compassion, professional support, and honoring lost loved ones.

Chip is back and sharing the incredible, divine story of how he got his new lungs! From the unexpected call from the donor's family and the road to recovery, this episode is filled with faith, miracles, and resilience. You won’t want to miss hearing Chip’s firsthand account—and seeing him back in his seat where he belongs! 

In this episode, Chip's family joins us to share their incredible journey through his lung transplant surgery. They open up about the challenges, the emotional highs and lows, and what the recovery process has been like for them. Tune in as they reflect on their experiences, lessons learned, and how the journey has shaped their perspective on life moving forward.

Welcome to a special episode of Mental Health and the Mission of the Church! We know you've been missing Chip and his unparalleled wisdom as much as we have. While Chip is taking some well-deserved time to recover from his recent lung transplant surgery, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to reflect on some of his most memorable moments. In this episode, we're celebrating Chip's unique insights, humor, and advice with a curated collection of our favorite clips—what we like to call 'Chipisms.' From heartfelt reflections to laugh-out-loud anecdotes across various platforms, this compilation captures the essence of what makes Chip so special. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this tribute to the one and only Chip. Here's to his recovery and many more unforgettable moments in the future!

In this heartfelt and candid episode, Chip shares an inspiring conversation about navigating life’s toughest challenges with faith, community, and resilience. He opens up about his battle with the severe lung condition, the journey toward a potential lung transplant, and the profound lessons he’s learned along the way. 

On November 20th, Chip sat down with Pastor Greg and Joey for an honest and heartfelt conversation. In this episode, Chip shares updates about some new developments regarding his health and reflects on the challenges of trusting God in the waiting. Tune in to hear Chip’s journey of faith, vulnerability, and perseverance in the midst of uncertainty. CaringBridge  GoFundMe

Tune in to this engaging conversation with Chip Judd and Greg Surratt, the founding pastor of Seacoast Church. Greg opens up about his mental health journey and its impact on his ministry, offering valuable insights and experiences. It's a powerful and vulnerable conversation between two pastors on mental health and ministry.  Link to "Telling Yourself the Truth" book mentioned in this podcast can be found here: https://a.co/d/8jzV6cI

In this episode, Chip opens up about his recent health journey, sharing candidly about the challenges he’s facing and how these experiences are impacting his life and ministry.

In the podcast episode titled Chip Judd shares his personal journey, blending faith and psychology. He reflects on his experiences within the Charismatic Christian movement and how it shaped his understanding of emotional and spiritual healing. Judd, a pastor and counselor, explores the intersection of psychological principles and faith-based practices, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in healing. The episode delves into his unique approach to helping others find balance between mental health and spiritual growth, drawing from both his personal and professional experiences.

Hear from Chip on why he is relaunching his podcast and what the new season will look like as he dives into the most important conversation happening in the church world right now: Mental Health and the Mission of the Church.

A proven path to seeing God, yourself, and others through a filter of God's grace.

When we attack the FRUIT of someone's behavior we unintentionally strengthen the ROOT that's driving that behavior! Be careful when you’re working on breaking a cycle that you don’t make it worse instead of better.

Two critical steps in breaking unhealthy cycles: 1) own your responses, and 2) name the need. Learn to distinguish between a need and want.

Own your response. Name your need. Continuing the conversation on the habit cycle. 

IT WON’T STOP UNTIL YOU OWN IT! Other people do not cause your response. How you have learned to get your needs met and manage your feelings drives your response. Then your response is the other person’s trigger. STAY IN TOUCH: https://linktr.ee/chipjudd

MY BIGGEST ONGOING STRUGGLE is the example for today's cycle-breaking talk. You can learn to identify the 4-phases of habit formation and how they drive your self-defeating behavior. Stay in touch: https://linktr.ee/chipjudd

MY BIGGEST ONGOING STRUGGLE is the example for today's cycle-breaking talk. You can learn to identify the 4-phases of habit formation and how they drive your self-defeating behavior. Stay in touch: https://linktr.ee/chipjudd

OLD YOU - NEW YOU…Who are you going to be today? Your energy-efficient brain (lazy) wants to just do what it’s always done even if it didn’t work. Let’s talk about some keys to re-wiring your plastic brain.

TRANSFORMATIVE FRIENDSHIP! Have you ever had someone in your life that fulfilled the role of a gate keeper? Today I want to celebrate some people who have done that for me. Stay in touch: https://linktr.ee/chipjudd

God’s answer to 21st-century Stress. Let’s check out Isaiah 30:15 and see what God has to say about the path toward restfulness, confidence, and strength.

SABBATH RHYTHMS — Some practical ideas on how to apply a Sabbath Mindset and a Sabbath Lifestyle in your busy life.

Gods answer to 21st-century stress — Sabbath Mindset/Sabbath Lifestyle. we’re talking about how to break the cycle of chronic stress most of us experience. Check it out.

8-Minute MindShift! Your Brain On SABBATH. Let's talk about God's remedy for 21st Century stress -- Radical Rest.

We are passing through a GLOBAL STRESS TEST. How did you do? What did you learn about yourself? How can we handle, even benefit from, the stress life serves up on a regular basis? (TRIUNE BRAIN cont)

FLUSH YOUR STRESS! Stress is not a bad thing unless it becomes chronic (constant, habitual, occurring frequently). Develop a Sabbath Mindset and a Sabbath Lifestyle.

BRAIN vs MIND! Let’s do a quick chat about the difference between your brain and your mind and why it matters. I think it might help you.

My triune brain! Come on dude -Why do I need to know this stuff? I promise you it will help you in your journey to understand how your brain was created to function. Hang in there!

Is YOUR TRIUNE BRAIN the key to your problem? How you define a problem shapes your solution. Let’s talk about the role the brain plays in some of our life challenges.

YOUR TRIUNE BRAIN! So what? Why are we talking about this? How does this get me more real freedom and lasting change? I have found that understanding the TRIUNE BRAIN has helped me personally and has helped me help others. Stick around you might learn something.

Your TRIUNE BRAIN! (cont) Understanding our 3-part brain is super helpful in accepting where we are, how we got here, and growing where we need to grow.