Are we living in a "paid friend" culture? 🛋️ As mental health awareness skyrockets, the Church is at a crossroads. We’re seeing more counseling centers, more pastoral care roles, and more conversations about anxiety than ever before—but are we missing the spiritual heart of the matter?

In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer and Ashish Varma are joined by Dr. Michael Milco, a seasoned counselor and former professor at Moody Bible Institute. Together, they pull back the curtain on the "convergence" of psychology and theology. ⛪✨

In this episode, we explore:

• The "Paid Friend" Phenomenon: Why are people turning to therapists for things that used to be handled by community and friendship? 🤝

• The Complexity of the Soul: Moving beyond "just pray about it" while avoiding the trap of over-secularizing our struggles.

• The Power of Presence: Lessons from the global church (including a powerful story from Angola 🇦🇴) on what true, "intertwined" community looks like.

• Eclectic Faith: How the Church can be a place where the "unique" and "eclectic" find belonging without being compartmentalized. 🧩

If you’ve struggled to bridge the gap between your mental health journey and your walk with Christ, this conversation offers a refreshing, holistic perspective on what it means to be human and holy.

Guest Bio: Dr. Michael Milco is a former professor of counseling at Moody Bible Institute and a current practitioner in private practice. He specializes in the intersection of religion and psychotherapy, helping believers navigate mental health through a biblical lens.

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To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

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