Mental Health and the Mission of the Church: Part 2
Pastoring in New England is no small feat. From the intellectual skepticism of urban centers like South End Boston to the quiet isolation of rural churches dotting Vermont’s hills or Maine’s forests, leaders face a post-Christian culture that often questions faith. The region’s vast rural areas, home to small, tight-knit congregations, can amplify feelings of loneliness, as pastors shepherd flocks in remote towns far from support networks. Urban pastors, in cities like Providence or Hartford, face a different but equally isolating challenge: surrounded by people, they’re often disconnected in a fast-paced, skeptical environment that marginalizes their calling. Mental health struggles—both for leaders and their people—add another layer of challenge. Zack Eswine’s Spurgeon’s Sorrows: Realistic Hope for Those Who Suffer from Depression (Christian Focus, 2014) speaks directly to these realities. Through the life of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the 19th-century “Prince of Preachers,” this 144-page book offers a warm, compassionate guide for New England pastors navigating depression in themselves or their congregations. Written like a heartfelt note from a friend, it blends Spurgeon’s raw honesty with Eswine’s practical wisdom and gospel hope, making it a vital resource for leaders in both bustling cities and rural outposts.
Understanding Depression in New England’s Context
Ministry in New England’s diverse landscape—urban hubs surrounded by skeptic intellectuals or rural churches nestled in small towns—can feel like a solitary calling. Pastors in places like rural New Hampshire or coastal Maine often face cultural resistance to faith while expected to radiate spiritual strength. Spurgeon, despite his global influence, was open about his chronic depression, even during his most fruitful ministry years. In the book’s first section, “Trying to Understand Depression,” Eswine, a pastor who’s walked through his own sorrows, uses Spurgeon’s story to show that mental health struggles don’t disqualify leaders. Spurgeon’s confessions—like feeling “cast down” amidst revival (Eswine p. 18-22)—echo the struggles of pastors preaching hope in skeptical Northampton or isolated Bar Harbor.
Eswine tackles the church’s tough questions: Is depression a sin? A medical condition? A spiritual failing? He argues it’s often a complex mix, and Spurgeon’s vulnerability offers a safe space for New England pastors to name their own pain. In rural churches, where small congregations may lean on a single pastor for everything, and in urban settings where faith is often dismissed, this perspective is liberating. It assures leaders that God meets them in their struggles, just as He did Spurgeon, whether they’re serving a handful of farmers or a diverse city crowd.
Supporting Congregations with Empathy
The second section, “Learning How to Help Those Who Suffer from Depression,” equips pastors to care for congregations where mental health challenges are widespread. New England’s high rates of anxiety and depression, especially in rural areas where access to resources can be limited, demand pastoral sensitivity. In small churches along Vermont’s backroads or Maine’s coast, congregants may carry silent burdens—grief, anxiety, or depression—while churches sometimes respond with judgment or oversimplified advice like “just pray harder.” Eswine draws on Spurgeon’s example of pointing to Jesus, the “Man of Sorrows” (Isaiah 53:3), who knows suffering intimately, urging pastors to listen deeply and avoid clichés (Eswine p. 83-85).
For New England pastors, this section offers a roadmap for creating safe spaces, whether in a rural no stoplight town in a 150-year-old church building with a dozen members or a 150-year old urban church facing post-Christian skepticism. Eswine emphasizes practical steps—rest, healthy habits, professional counseling—while keeping the gospel central. This balance is crucial in a region where mental health resources exist but are often disconnected from faith, especially in rural areas far from urban centers. By showing how Spurgeon combined compassion with truth, Eswine helps pastors build churches that feel like havens, fostering trust among those wary of religious answers, from city skeptics to rural traditionalists.
Finding Strength to Persevere
The final section, “Learning Helps to Daily Cope with Depression,” speaks to pastors facing their own mental health battles. New England’s long winters, cultural isolation, and the emotional toll of ministry—whether in a bustling city or a rural village—can deepen despair. Eswine shares Spurgeon’s strategies: leaning on community, caring for your body, and holding onto God’s promises, even when they feel distant. Spurgeon’s words—“I have seen more in the dark than I ever saw in the light”—capture the book’s heart: suffering can deepen faith, revealing God’s presence in unexpected ways (Eswine p. 138).
Eswine’s realistic hope is a lifeline for New England pastors. It doesn’t promise quick fixes but points to Jesus as a faithful companion. For leaders juggling sermons, pastoral care, and personal struggles in small rural congregations or resistant diverse urban settings, this section offers practical tools—like seeking trusted friends or prioritizing rest—while grounding them in the truth that God is near. In New England’s scattered rural churches, where isolation can feel overwhelming, this message empowers pastors to lead authentically, even in their brokenness.
Why This Book Matters
Spurgeon’s Sorrows has a warm, poetic tone, like a conversation with a friend who’s been there. Eswine’s storytelling makes Spurgeon’s struggles feel alive for today’s pastors, whether among Boston metro’s 350,000 college students or a western Massachusetts village church. Its short length and clear language fit busy schedules, and its focus on Spurgeon’s faith offers hope in New England’s challenging spiritual climate. The book also tackles mental health stigma, equipping leaders to create compassionate churches where people feel seen, not judged.
Some pastors might wish for a broader perspective beyond Spurgeon, especially in New England’s diverse urban and rural communities. The brief mention of medications, while affirming their role, could dive deeper for leaders navigating faith and mental health care in areas with limited resources. Still, these are minor drawbacks in a book that delivers heart and wisdom for New England’s unique challenges.
A Beacon for New England’s Pastors
For New England’s pastors—whether in rural hamlets or urban centers—Spurgeon’s Sorrows is a gift. It affirms that leaders can serve faithfully without hiding their struggles, equipping them to care for their people with empathy and point them to Jesus while embracing practical help. In a region of vast rural churches and skeptical cities, it offers hope for weary hearts, showing that God works through imperfect vessels. For pastors facing depression—or helping others carry it—this book is a beacon, pointing to a Savior who meets us in our deepest valleys.
Robby Pitt is Coordinator of Pastoral Development for the Baptist Churches of New England. This article is part 2 of a 5-part series highlighting valuable books that explore the intersection of the church, leadership, and mental health. He would be glad to think through these issues in your own ministry context, and you can reach out to him at rpitt@bcne.net.