Conference on Depression in the Clergy (FREE & local for DFW folks)

I got the following email and wanted to share it with my DTS alumni in case you missed it.

My humble suggestion ... don't wait until you get to the point Tommy was.

Follow Barney Fife's advice and nip it in the bud.

"I wanted to let you know of an opportunity for area alumni. Dr. Lee Jagers (ThM 76), Director of Counseling Services at Dallas Seminary, is inviting area alumni to a conference addressing the issue of depression in the clergy. Dr. Jagers is part of the Dallas/Fort Worth chapter of CAPS (Christian Association for Psychological Studies) which is sponsoring this event. Tommy Nelson (MABS 82) and Dr. David Nicholson are the featured speakers."

CAPS Conference on Depression in the Clergy

Speakers: Tommy Nelson (MABS '82) & Dr. David Nicholson

Place: Irving Bible Church
2435 Kinwest Pkwy
Irving, TX 75063-3434

Date: Friday, September 26, 2008
Time: 12:00 noon to 3:30 pm, 30-minute networking and snacks midway
Cost: Free to all DTS alumni who are pastors

Register

More Information

[Tommy Nelson] has forgotten more Bible than many people will ever know. He has helped more people in their authentic spiritual growth than any of us will ever realize. But two years ago, he found himself beset by such anxiety and depression that he had to shut down for several months and pull out from the ministry. One of the best known pastors in the North Texas area, he found himself very alone.

He wrestled with many questions which defy easy answers:
• Is the Bible alone sufficient for every human condition?
• Can a person work too much within the will of God?
• Should a spiritual person seek help from psychiatry (for medication) and from a psychologist (for counseling)?

Spiritual Depression

The problem is more common than many realize, particularly among those involved in vocational ministry.

This Fall the Founders* Study Center is offering the course, "Spiritual Depression" with lectures by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. You may audit it at no cost (i.e., FREE). All of the courses are made available at minimal costs (which do not nearly cover the expenses of providing them), but by God's grace Founders Ministries is able to offer this one to auditors for free.

"If you have never read Lloyd-Jones' book that is based on the messages he delivers for this course, I strongly encourage you to do so. It is not merely for people who battle depression. It is for anyone who wants to understand the Gospel and how the Gospel works in the daily life of a believer."
- Tom Ascol, executive director of Founders Ministries

For more information, visit the Founders Study Center. Registration for this and the other Fall courses is now open. For more information, contact the Study Center Director, Ken Puls.


*Group committed to the historic theological foundations of the Southern Baptist Convention.