Mental Health and the Mission of the Church

Change isn't as simple as making better choices, but it isn't impossible either.

In Part 4 of the Shades of Grace conversation, Chip Judd and Joey Svendsen explore two common misconceptions about change: believing we can change through willpower alone or believing we're incapable of changing at all.

Through honest conversation (and a little humor about Chip's book-buying habits), they unpack why lasting transformation takes more than good intentions, what it means to truly live in God's grace, and why even church leaders struggle with the same patterns as everyone else.

They also challenge the way churches approach discipleship, exploring why gaining more biblical knowledge doesn't automatically lead to spiritual transformation.

As they wrap up this four-part conversation, Chip shares his hope for a church that moves beyond simply teaching truth to becoming a place where people experience God's love, healing, and lasting change.

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What does it really take to change? And what if accepting who God made you to be is the first step toward lasting growth?

In Part 3 of Shades of Grace, Chip Judd and Joey explore the connection between God's grace, self-acceptance, and personal transformation. Chip challenges us to recognize how our upbringing, experiences, and God-given abilities shape who we are, while reminding us that we still have a responsibility to grow.

Together, they unpack why meaningful change often requires discomfort, how past wounds influence our ability to receive truth, and why choosing the temporary pain of growth is better than living with the lasting pain of regret.

It's a powerful conversation about embracing God's craftsmanship, confronting what's holding us back, and finding the courage to change.

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The hardest person you'll ever learn to love might be yourself.

In Part 2 of our Shades of Grace conversation, Chip and Joey explore what it really means to see ourselves the way God sees us and why learning to receive His love is so important to experiencing freedom and lasting change.

Why do so many Christians continue to struggle even after giving their lives to Jesus? How much of what we struggle with is shaped by things we never chose? And what does it look like to move beyond simply knowing the truth to actually living it?

This conversation challenges the way we understand ourselves, our struggles, and the grace of God.

Listen to Part 2 of Shades of Grace and discover a different way of seeing yourself and others.

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A new season of Mental Health and the Mission of the Church begins with the first of many conversations centered around Chip Judd’s upcoming book, Shades of Grace.

In this episode, Chip and Joey Svensson explore what happens when grace moves beyond something we simply understand and becomes something we truly experience. They talk about their friendship, Joey’s mental health journey, the trap of performing and rule-keeping, and why some truths take time to move from our heads to our hearts.

It’s the beginning of a deeper conversation about learning to see people the way Jesus sees them—starting with ourselves.

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What happens when two Christian psychiatrists sit down with two pastors to tackle one of the most misunderstood conversations in the Church?

In this powerful discussion, Dr. Baron Short and Dr. Ethan Ashley explore the intersection of faith, psychiatry, and brain science, challenging the false choice between trusting God and embracing modern mental health treatment. Together with Chip Judd and Joey Svendsen, they unpack why mental illness has often been treated differently than physical illness in Christian circles—and why that mindset is beginning to change.

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What happens when mental illness and faith become tangled together?

In this episode of Mental Health and the Mission of the Church, Pastor Chip Judd, Joey Svendsen, Dr. Cassie Reid, and Christie Henderson have an honest conversation about intrusive thoughts, OCD, scrupulosity, depression, and the culture of mental health within the church.

Whether you've personally struggled, love someone who has, or serve in church leadership, this episode is an invitation to replace simplistic answers with compassion, curiosity, and hope.

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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.

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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.

GO HERE to be the amongst the first to read Shades of Grace by Chip Judd.

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.

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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.

GO HERE to be the amongst the first to read Shades of Grace by Chip Judd.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

GO HERE to be the amongst the first to read Shades of Grace by Chip Judd.

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”.

GO HERE to be the amongst the first to read Shades of Grace by Chip Judd.

In this conversation, Hannah Bookbinder discusses the critical role of dopamine as a neurotransmitter in executive functioning. She explains how dopamine is necessary for following through on plans and how its absence can hinder various cognitive skills.

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The church talks a lot about discipleship but what if we’re overlooking something essential?

In our latest episode of Mental Health and the Mission of the Church, we sit down for a candid and challenging conversation about the intersection of faith, emotional health, and the true mission of the church.

Together, we explore hard questions many leaders and believers are already wrestling with.

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In this conversation, Chip Judd, Joey Svendsen, and Jen Jackson explore the intersection of mental health and autism. Jen shares her personal journey of discovering her autism diagnosis in adulthood and discusses the unique experiences of autistic individuals, including sensory processing differences, the concept of masking, and the importance of self-acceptance. The discussion also touches on the challenges of anxiety and depression within the autistic community and emphasizes the need for supportive environments that foster emotional well-being.

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He shot himself. And the lungs that once gave him life… gave life again.

This story isn’t easy—but it’s full of redemption, faith, and the power of generosity in the face of grief.

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