About Us

Who Is Bipolarpastor? I am a United Methodist pastor of a small church in a small town/rural setting. I certainly wouldn't stand out in a crowd; if you knew me, you'd probably say that I was a little overweight, short, bald, avoids confrontation, a little odd. In actuality I appear to be a short, bald, slightly overweight man who avoids confrontation and a little odd. But I am really a man with a mental illness, and it often takes all of my energy just to appear "normal" enough to function undetected, and to keep my diagnosis from being exposed.

I am a person who has confronted the issue of "coming out" on a daily basis over a 10 year period, and really doesn't know want to do. I am the kind of person who wants someone to tell me what to do, so I can pass along the blame if the decision is wrong. I am the kind of person who might pass up the right decision to play it safe. I am the kind of person who just might be doing this website thing until my manic phase passes. (I don't think this is site will fizzle, but just in case, don't say I didn't warn you.

Check out my Bipolar Pastor blog at: /http://hidingbehindthepulpit.blogspot.com/

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What I hope to achieve ...

We want to be THE place where Pastors with a mental-illness diagnosis can go to get information, advice and support.

We want to be listed as a link on every mental-illness website on the Internet so pastors who need a place to go can locate us.

We want to fight the stigma associated with people who have a mental illness diagnosis.

We want to help to create a sense of ease and understanding when it comes to mentally-ill people who are in positions of responsibility, power and trust.

We want to educate people to realize that a diagnosis of mental illness does NOT lead to a failed career or relationships.

We want you to realize that an MI diagnosis does not signal the end, but rather the beginning of a journey that simply names your actions and feelings, and finally gives you a way to deal with them.

Little Known Fact
(Compliments of Cliff Claven)

Percentage of Prisoners with MI

Federal prisons 45%

Local jails 64%
State prisons 56%

(From First Page -
Andy Behrman)

They Came Before

BiPolarPastor - Hiding Under the Pulpit

Where Stigma Dies, Hope Endures and .................. Healing Begins .....................