I became a Christian since I was 17 (am 35 now) and have for the most part, attended church regularly since I became a Christian (this includes small group, i.e. Bible study; by small group I don't mean you go on Sundays, then go to the regular service in the sanctuary, but small groups that are scheduled during the week).
I speak from personal experience with what I'm about to say. There are certain groups of people that are overlooked/forgotten in the church and the two biggest that come to mind are:
1.Those with mental illnesses (specifically depression).
2.Adults with mental impairments/chronic disabilities (which although can correlate with mental illness are a separate issue).
This frustrates me to no end because mental illness is a huge problem in western society, and lots of people suffer from depression. As a result, it's something that clearly needs to be addressed. No I'm not saying that the church should be counselors/therapists as many who attend church aren't qualified to do that. However, depression is manageable and easier to deal with if you have a support system. You can't talk about depression openly and you receive stigma (in my experience, indirectly). If you can't talk about your depression openly that is NOT being supportive.
The common mantra with mainstream Christianity in western cultures is 'we love and accept you as you are' but quite frankly I think that's a load of bull. You're accepted and included if you are the status quo (middle class, in a happy and stable marriage raising a family and working. If you don't fit this profile, intentional or not you fall through the cracks.
It's true that people with depression are accepted, but I seriously don't feel included. I've tried addressing my depression to people my small group and the typical reaction is this:
1.Be joyful
2.Have an attitude of gratitude/be thankful
3.Be optimistic
I am sick of having this shoved down my throat. It's an oversimplified solution that quite frankly doesn't work. I'm not denying that doing the above things suggested help to alleviate depression, but it doesn't make depression go away. They have become frustrated that I keep bringing it up, but I have become frustrated with them, because the depression I have is CHRONIC. I've dealt with it half my life and unless God chooses to heal me of it, I'm going to have it the rest of my life. It's not being negative, self-defeatist etc it's the reality of the form of depression I have. Depression varies in severity and duration; some is mild and comes and goes. Other types are more severe and are chronic. The type I have is called dysthymia, which is less severe in comparison to other types of depression, but is chronic.
I speak from personal experience with what I'm about to say. There are certain groups of people that are overlooked/forgotten in the church and the two biggest that come to mind are:
1.Those with mental illnesses (specifically depression).
2.Adults with mental impairments/chronic disabilities (which although can correlate with mental illness are a separate issue).
This frustrates me to no end because mental illness is a huge problem in western society, and lots of people suffer from depression. As a result, it's something that clearly needs to be addressed. No I'm not saying that the church should be counselors/therapists as many who attend church aren't qualified to do that. However, depression is manageable and easier to deal with if you have a support system. You can't talk about depression openly and you receive stigma (in my experience, indirectly). If you can't talk about your depression openly that is NOT being supportive.
The common mantra with mainstream Christianity in western cultures is 'we love and accept you as you are' but quite frankly I think that's a load of bull. You're accepted and included if you are the status quo (middle class, in a happy and stable marriage raising a family and working. If you don't fit this profile, intentional or not you fall through the cracks.
It's true that people with depression are accepted, but I seriously don't feel included. I've tried addressing my depression to people my small group and the typical reaction is this:
1.Be joyful
2.Have an attitude of gratitude/be thankful
3.Be optimistic
I am sick of having this shoved down my throat. It's an oversimplified solution that quite frankly doesn't work. I'm not denying that doing the above things suggested help to alleviate depression, but it doesn't make depression go away. They have become frustrated that I keep bringing it up, but I have become frustrated with them, because the depression I have is CHRONIC. I've dealt with it half my life and unless God chooses to heal me of it, I'm going to have it the rest of my life. It's not being negative, self-defeatist etc it's the reality of the form of depression I have. Depression varies in severity and duration; some is mild and comes and goes. Other types are more severe and are chronic. The type I have is called dysthymia, which is less severe in comparison to other types of depression, but is chronic.