Apostle Joshua Selman, founder and senior pastor of Eternity Network International (Koinonia Global), has called for greater attention to the mental health of ministers, saying some pastors may be carrying unresolved trauma that influences their ministry.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Speaking at the 40th anniversary conference of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Selman said it is important for church leaders to undergo mental evaluations to ensure they are emotionally and psychologically fit to serve. He explained that many preachers unconsciously project personal pain from childhood and other life experiences onto their sermons, which can affect their congregation.
According to him, not every issue within the church can be solved through prayer and fasting alone. He suggested that professionals in mental health should sometimes be involved to help ministers deal with hidden emotional wounds.
Selman also cautioned against what he described as the mismanagement of zeal among young ministers. He stressed that spiritual authority must operate within clear boundaries and that preachers should know the limits of their jurisdiction.
“You do not have the right to speak about everything, everywhere, anyhow, because of zeal.
“It’s an appeal particularly to my generation of ministers. There is this unguarded passion,” he said.
Quoting from the epistles of John, he explained that there are messages meant for different levels of maturity within the faith: children, young men, and fathers.
He warned that when immature believers attempt to handle matters beyond their spiritual capacity, it can lead to pride and confusion within the church.
He further urged ministers to exercise restraint and sensitivity in their teachings, emphasizing that the Holy Spirit leads with order and wisdom, not confusion.
