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In the future, perhaps the end of the 2010 decade will be described by historians who are dedicated to the history of the Church as a dark and definitive period for a change in how congregations are dedicated to providing mental health care for their pastors.
Jim Howard, pastor of a church called Real Life Church (RLC) in California, committed suicide by shooting himself on Wednesday, January 23. He was suffering from a mental illness for a long time
The pastor headed the Valencian branch of the church, which had more than six thousand members. The news of his death was pbaded on to Rusty George, the denomination's main pastor, through a statement on Facebook. "It is with heavy hearts that I confirm that we have suffered a tragic loss for our church staff this week.On Wednesday, January 23, 2019, Jim Howard, a beloved pastor of RLC, committed suicide."
"As we all know, we can all testify, he was a wonderful man endowed with a deep love for Jesus is a pbadion to share the grace of God with all he knows. also a hurricane of energy, always seeking new challenges and opportunities to serve others, "added George the day after his colleague's death
In his statement, George pointed out that Jim Howard was fighting mental illness. but did not say whether it would be a lasting depression, and that Jim Howard himself had already spoken of his ordeal and intended to speak more objectively about this "tragedy and the wider suicide crisis. in the United States. "
According to the Information from The Christian Post George stated that Howard was fighting only part of this struggle, but that he sometimes shared his difficulties with fellow ministers and believers: "Sometimes he was discussing courageously [o badunto] in public – and had personal problems in the last few months. This week he made the tragic decision to put an end to his suffering. His failure will be deeply felt by his family, his friends, the RLC family and all those who have had the chance to meet him, "lamented the pastor of the denomination that Jim had for three years.
In his statement, Rusty George encouraged the RLC faithful who are suffering from similar problems to seek church help.Before Pastor Jim Howard's suicide, the church had already published a campaign on the subject. Suicide is a subject that affects many of us and we want to support you. If a member of our community struggles with suicidal thoughts or encounters someone who has committed suicide, we have a safe place where you can pray and talk to someone, "he said.
One of the consequences of Pastor Howard's suicide is an initiative of the Jared Monroe Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting awareness, understanding and support for bipolar disorder. any disturbance to seek help. "Our heartfelt condolences to the family of Pastor Jim Howard, friends and family of RLC. Mental health problems affect EVERYONE. Do not suffer alone. Extend your hand if you need to talk. You do not have to suffer alone, "said the foundation in a statement released on Friday, January 25.
The case of Jim Howard a few months after the suicide of another pastor of an American church. Andrew Stoecklein, of the Inland Hills Church in Chino, Calif., Died of a suicide attempt in August – causing an alert. In the United States, suicide is one of the top ten non-natural causes of death.
In Brazil, several suicide cases by pastors and evangelical leaders shocked the Church, sparking initiatives to elucidate depression, its causes and effects, in addition to suicide prevention projects .
"Jim was pbadionate about our region and we worked together at the vigil for the victims of the Santa Clarita shooting in Las Vegas, as well as at many events at Real Life Church.Our thoughts and prayers go to his family and all the people he has touched.It will be missed, "said Carl Goldman, owner of the KHTS radio station, in honor of the pastor's memory.
Professor Jayce O'Neal of the Regent University and pastor of the Red Church told the CBN News Christian Broadcasting Network station that pastoralists are not immune to mental illness. "Pastors are human and have problems like everyone else, they struggle with insecurities, they fight with their own mistakes."
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