top of page
BLACK DOG COLLAR PASTOR
SUPPORTING CHURCH LEADERS
BLACK DOG COLLAR PASTOR
Thank you for visiting our site. Please take a look at the various blogs and resources that are here.
The purpose of this site is to bring hope and encouragement to those who are struggling with their mental health and wellbeing.
During my time as Pastor/Rector of a growing church in Aberdeenshire, I have met many leaders who have felt isolated, discouraged, and broken.
Many have found it difficult to both navigate their mental health and at the same time lead well.
If you are someone who is struggling to cope with your mental and emotional health then I hope you will find this site a place of comfort, support, and hope.
You can read of my own personal story and battle with mental health, as well as the stories of others, some of whom are leaders and spouses of leaders.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
THERE IS HOPE
Home: Welcome
ABOUT BLACK DOG
COLLAR PASTOR
Hear It From Me
I have been a church leader for over 40 years and for many of those years I struggled with poor mental health. It was my great delight to lead a growing church. We built a new multi-million-pound church facility. On the outside, it was a success story in many ways. However, I struggled with depression and tried to navigate through my mental health as well as seeking to lead well. Sadly I had a number of significant break downs when I was unable to function well. However, with a lot of help, love, and encouragement I was able to finish well.
If any of that rings a bell with you then please explore and look around this site as I hope it can bring you some help, hope, and strength to go on.
Remember
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
THERE IS HOPE
Home: About
VIDEOS
Home: Text
Home: Video Player
Home: Blog Feed
Search
Time to let go?
I have been reading Damon Zahariades’s book The Art of Letting Go. How to let go of the past, look forward to the future and finally...
Ian Ferguson
RUN TO HIM
I tried to run away, to escape the darkness, the messed-up mind and raging thoughts Useless Broken Sinking into that deep dark pit of...
Ian Ferguson
God's Strength Through Weakness and Pain
“Your greatest ministry always comes out of your deepest pain’ Pastor Rick Warren, Saddleback Church California, and author of the best...
Ian Ferguson
Leave Your Mask Here
(This is a long read, just to warn you!!) ‘Struggle? Oh no! You’re a priest!”. This was the response I received from a fellow clergyman...
Ian Ferguson
HOW TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE AS A CHURCH LEADER
Sometimes you come across a book where the chapter headings are as helpful as the chapter contents, and this was true for me when I read...
Ian Ferguson
"Human Heart" - Coldplay X We Are KING X Jacob Collier
I love the music of Chris Martin and Coldplay. These are the words of the song “Human Heart’ (With Chris Martin/We are KING/Jacob...
Ian Ferguson
Leading On Empty
I read a book that helped me greatly in my ministry. Many times I felt as though I was leading on empty but the grace of God and the...
Ian Ferguson
John Wimber
The late John Wimber, founding pastor of the Vineyard movement, had a great influence on me, especially with regards to praying for the...
Ian Ferguson
Stop The Bus, I Want To Get Off
I haven’t posted in a while. To be honest I have been struggling, as I do from time to time, with my DID (Destructive Internal Dialogue)....
Ian Ferguson
Managing Dark Times
I use the word ‘managing’ rather than ‘coping’ because you may not be ‘coping’ with your poor mental health, but you need to manage it....
Ian Ferguson
FRIENDS
I can honestly say that having real close friends has been such a blessing to me and especially during those times when my mental health...
Ian Ferguson
My Lord Heals and Rescues.
If you struggle with depression, as I do, take comfort in how God treated Elijah. Take time to take care of yourself. Don’t fake the...
Ian Ferguson
STOP before the burnout.
You don’t need a degree in psychology to know that prolonged stress with excessive demands made upon us puts us at risk of burnout, which...
Ian Ferguson
SEVENTH SOJOURN
"Isn't Life Strange" is a 1972 single by the English progressive rock band The Moody Blues from their hit album ‘Seventh Sojourn” Isn't...
Ian Ferguson
The Cave of Psalm 142
Just because you suffer poor mental health does not, of itself, make you a poor leader. I know many leaders who manage their poor mental...
Ian Ferguson
Mental Health Pandemic
How are you coping with this pandemic? How are your coping mechanisms? According to the Health Foundation UK, more than two-thirds of...
Ian Ferguson
DON’T GET BLINDSIDED
DON’T GET BLINDSIDED A church leader once said, ‘Don’t be taken by surprise for your enemy lurks around seeking someone to devour, resist...
Ian Ferguson
116 123
If you are thinking about it because you feel that life has no meaning for you then this is the number you need. Life may have dealt you...