Living with a family member that is struggling—whether from trauma, depression, anxiety, cognitive delays, or anything else—takes a toll. It can feel like a hopeless situation. This is where family therapy comes in. Family therapy isn’t about getting blamed or identifying the problem person. It’s not about finding a scapegoat or finding an ally to …
Tag Archive: resources
Mar 18
IM Moment: Changing attitudes towards mental health and the church
“In this life you WILL have trouble,” Jesus said, “but take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). The troubles that come our way are various and sometimes complicated. Physical, mental, emotional, and relational difficulties can intertwine themselves into a big, BIG ball of overwhelming force that threatens to shake our faith …
Dec 18
FREE resource! Children’s Object Lesson for the 4th Sunday of Advent (Year C)
Objects needed: A jump rope. Theme/Main Idea: God keeps his promises, and that should cause us to jump for joy! Presentation: “Have you ever been so happy that it was hard to hold it in? Yes? What are some of the reasons you have had to be happy? [let children share] Wow! Those are great …
Nov 28
FREE resource! Children’s object lesson for the first Sunday in Advent, Year C
The rest of our Children’s Advent Lessons (Year C) can be found by clicking this link! Objects needed: A seedling, branch, or picture of stump/seedling/nursery log Theme/Main Idea: Even when things seem hopeless, God gives us hope. When nothing is left of the tree but the stump, there is still life there… just waiting for …
Jul 19
IM Moment: How understanding toxic stress may change your ministry, with Todd Garrison
Most churches and fellowships look for opportunities to impact their communities and the world for the better. They do this through any number of ways: social justice initiatives, mission work at home and overseas, prison ministry, youth outreach, parenting classes, recovery ministries… the list goes on and on. One of the questions I am regularly …
May 17
FREE RESOURCE for youth ministers… preparing to discuss 13 Reasons Why, season 2 (Netflix)
NOTE: This is a guest post from Tracie Dahl, LCPC, Middle School Therapist with Intermountain School-based Services (Helena, MT). It has been edited for use in a church setting by Chaplain Chris Haughee. 13 Reasons Why is about to drop its second season on May 18th. Since Season 2 is no longer adapting Jay Asher’s 2007 YA novel and …
Apr 19
Intermountain moment: when a child engages in self-harm or other scary behaviors
Cutting. Self-harm. It is a phenomenon much more common (it seems) today than twenty-two years ago when I entered children’s and youth ministry. It’s certainly not uncommon behavior in the emotionally disturbed children that Intermountain works with. That’s why I felt it was important to share a little with you from a conversation I had …
Mar 14
A MUST HAVE for your church library, Mental Health and the Church by Dr. Stephen Grcevich
I was invited to be a part of the “Book Launch Team” for a new resource for churches that I think is invaluable for any ministry considering outreach to those that struggle with mental health issues. In Montana, where the need is great and services are often lacking, the Church has a great opportunity to …
Oct 05
Please consider Change for Children this Christmas!
Once again, I would like to make available to you and your church free Advent children’s object lessons! While written primarily for a Children’s Sermon format, these object lessons could be used in a Sunday school setting, youth group, or even as sermon illustrations! None of the lessons are dependent on Change for Children (CFC) …
Aug 22
Gearing up for fall: Classroom tips for multiple abilities
When teaching children of different abilities the most important thing to remember is that “one size DOES NOT fit all” with education. It is OK to make accommodations from a provided program to keep differently abled children engaged and included. The following are suggestions on how to structure a classroom sensitive to children with varying …