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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

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ABOUT BLACK DOG

COLLAR PASTOR

Hear It From Me

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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

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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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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)....

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Who made them judges?

Sadly many Christians make judgments that are unkind, unfair, and simply wrong when they are trying to help Christians who suffer from...

The Big 'D' Word-not in the book

The book I am referring to is the Bible and the Word is ‘depression’ The word is not found in the bible, but the condition is indeed...

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Resources

Church of England

Wellbeing of clergy and lay ministers during the coronavirus pandemic

https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2020-04/Wellbeing%20of%20clergy%20and%20lay%20ministers%20during%20the%20coronavirus%20pandemic.pdf

Mental Health Reflections

https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/news/new-mental-health-reflections-published-church-england

Breathing Space

Sometimes our thoughts and feelings can overwhelm us. It helps to get some Breathing Space. Pick up the phone – we are here to help. https://breathingspace.scot/


Every Mind Matters is an NHS resource that provides expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing. https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/


MIND advises and supports anyone experiencing a mental health problem, through information and signposting, local support and care, networks and membership, campaigning, and training. https://www.mind.org.uk/


The Mind and Soul Foundation aims to bridge the gap between mental health and Christian spirituality through sharing the best of Christian theology and scientific advances; helping people meet with God and recover from emotional distress; and engaging with the local church and mental health services. https://www.mindandsoulfoundation.org/


SAMH is the Scottish Association for Mental Health

We can all feel overwhelmed sometimes, but if we focus on the next step we can create better mental health for ourselves and for Scotland. It’s never been more important that we not only protect our own mental health,  but support the mental wellbeing of the people we love. https://www.samh.org.uk/