Moving Beyond the “Hush-Hush”: Bishop Kenneth Ulmer on Mental Health and Ministry
Ministry can be deeply rewarding, but it can also be isolating. At the recent CIFT Pastors Forum, Bishop Kenneth Ulmer shared a candid reflection on the challenges pastors face during leadership transitions and the hidden mental health struggles within congregations.
The Hidden Toll of Leadership Change
After 41 years at Faithful Central Bible Church, Bishop Ulmer spoke openly about the emotional and psychological impact of stepping down from long-term pastoral leadership. He noted how churches often struggle to “transition well” and “restore well” leaders who have faithfully served, leaving many navigating isolation and stress.
Breaking the Silence Around Mental Health
Bishop Ulmer also addressed cultural stigma around mental health, particularly within African American communities, sharing stories that highlight the often-hidden nature of these struggles:
The Palmdale Tragedy: A suspected hate crime that ultimately revealed a tragic suicide.
The UC Irvine Student: A high-achieving student who took his own life despite showing few outward signs of distress.
He challenged churches to move beyond the “hush-hush” approach, recognizing mental health issues as both spiritual and clinical realities.
“Pastors were never meant to carry these burdens alone.”
Anchoring the Mind in God
Drawing on Isaiah 26:3—“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee”—Bishop Ulmer emphasized the peace and protection found when our minds are rooted in God. This aligns with Paul’s exhortation to cultivate the “mind of Christ,” reminding leaders that spiritual grounding is essential for emotional resilience.
CIFT’s Commitment to Pastoral Care
At CIFT, we believe ministry thrives when leaders are nurtured spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. Conversations like this Pastors Forum reflect our mission to equip churches with Christ-centered guidance that honors both spiritual truth and real-life challenges.
Pastors were never meant to carry these burdens alone.
Keep the Conversation Going
Hear the full Pastors Forum discussion to gain deeper insight into Bishop Ulmer’s reflections and practical guidance for ministry leaders.
Keynote Speaker: Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer
Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer was the Senior Pastor of Faithful Central Bible Church in Los Angeles from 1982 until his retirement in 2023. Dr. Ulmer was a founding board member and former President of The King’s University in Los Angeles, adjunct professor and Director of The King’s At Oxford; an annual summer session held at Oxford University. After accepting his call to the ministry, Dr. Ulmer founded Macedonia Bible Church in San Pedro, California. Dr. Ulmer is currently the Presiding Bishop over Macedonia International Bible Fellowship, an association of pastors representing ministries in Africa and the United States and based in Johannesburg, South Africa. In addition, Dr. Ulmer is the founder and CEO of The Ulmer Institute, a non-profit organization focused on the research, training and treatment of psychological trauma in urban communities.
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