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2008-06-03 issue:

Mental illness

by Name withheld by request

Print Article

I tend to read The Mennonite from back to front. So in the May 6 issue, I read Wally Fahrer’s, “Is the Church the Army of God?” before reading Clarence Rempel’s, “Astounding Holistic Mission.” While Rempel’s article answered in part the question I had after reading Fahrer’s article, neither fully satisfied my query.

Fahrer uses more than half of his article to describe the military model of church that he (and I) find lacking. But then he provides only one paragraph to suggest an alternative: “Evangelism should focus less on eternity, etc.” The example he provides of his father receiving a ticket to emigrate from Germany is too simplistic and doesn’t respond to how congregations deal with people who come to us with extreme mental health issues (schizophrenia, narcissism, borderline personality) that affect not only their interpersonal relationships but ability to support themselves financially.

I would love to see Fahrer write a follow-up article with some specific examples of how his vision for evangelism, discipleship and mission addresses situations of mental illness.

Associated Issue: Learning from Mary - May 6, 2008

Associated Article: Is the church the army of God?