Mental Health and the Mission of the Church

A Candid Conversation with Mac Lake on Mental Health

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.

Is it Depression.... Or Something Else?

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. 

Faith vs. Mental Health? Not So Fast!

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.

A Psychiatrist’s Encounter with Jesus

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.

Hard Lessons from Burnout and What Comes After.

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.

From Pulpit to Practice: Mental Health as Discipleship

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.

Why Pastors Should See a Therapist

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.

Fake Vulnerability | A Chip Mini

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.

From Crisis to Culture: Building a Mentally Healthy Church| Part 2

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.

From Crisis to Culture: Building a Mentally Healthy Church | Part 1

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”.