We recognise that Ministry staff have multiple demands upon their time and energy, yet we also know that a significant proportion of people in our churches experience mental health challenges.
We provide resources that assist those in ministry to understand the contribution they can make to good mental health and how to provide the best support possible to those experiencing mental health challenges in their congregations and communities.
We also want to assist everyday Christians to better understand mental health. You may be facing a mental health challenge or you may be supporting someone experiencing mental ill-health. Our hope and prayer is that you will find resources here that will help you.
We are an Institute of Mary Andrews College, based in Sydney, Australia. Mary Andrews College has a particular focus on equipping students in the areas of pastoral care, mental health, and disability.
“We draw on the great wisdom and guidance offered in the Bible, combined with the best psychological and medical research. Our hope is that these resources will make a real and lasting impact on the mental and spiritual wellbeing of many in our churches and communities.”
The Mental Health & Pastoral Care Institute was founded in 2016 by Sarah and Rev. Dr Keith Condie. Sarah & Keith have been married for over 40 years and Co-Direct the Institute. For nearly twenty years they led numerous workshops and course across Australia and overseas on building better marriages.
Sarah has been active in a range of ministries in Christian contexts, most recently as the Director of Wellbeing and Care at The Bridge Church, Sydney. Prior to serving in vocational ministry she worked as a law librarian at the State Library of NSW.
Keith has degrees in psychology, theology and history. He has worked in child welfare for the state government as well as serving as an Assistant Minister in two churches in Sydney. For nearly 20 years, he was on the faculty of Moore Theological College as Dean of Students and Lecturer in Ministry and Church History.
Prevention – we provide programs, courses and other resources that strengthen mental wellbeing and relationships, and that create environments that reduce risk factors for mental ill-health;
Equipping – we provide training, courses and resource materials so that ministry staff and church members can better understand mental health and care for each other more effectively;
Support – we provide resources to assist those experiencing mental health challenges and those caring for them.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call one of the following national helplines: Lifeline 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
Keith and Sarah are focused on the work of the Institute and do not often have time available for speaking engagements. If you are interested in contacting them about a possible speaking engagement, you may send a message using the form on our contact page.
Keith and Sarah are able to offer help and support in developing structures in your church that support the mental wellbeing and care provided. If you are interested in contacting them about this, you may send a message using the form on our contact page.
The Institute have developed some professional development courses for staff teams of churches and other Christian organisations such as schools and NGOs. If you are interested, find out more on our professional development page.
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In the last few weeks, as I’ve chatted with a number of women, I’ve seen how adept they are at juggling and pivoting. But we have many balls to juggle in life. Our plans go awry, and those balls just start tumbling. And this is when we feel the weariness and stress and think, ‘I can’t keep doing this.’
The question for us as pastoral carers is whether Jesus saw any other significance in laying down his life for the sheep. And consequently, is there a type of sacrifice which Jesus calls his followers in pastoral care to make?
The God of all grace is not remote and he doesn’t simply delegate to others. He is willing, so to speak, to get his hands dirty.
This was a moment of grace, during an ordinary routine, given to me by our creator God. Pumpkins had given me a new song to sing.
The Mental Health & Pastoral Care Institute is a part of Mary Andrews College, an Anglican Deaconess Ministry.
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