253: Chuck DeGroat and Invitation to Obscurity

Chuck DeGroat is professor of pastoral care and Christian Spirituality at Western Theological Seminary and author of When Narcissism Comes to Church. Today, Chuck shares about dealing with anxiety his entire life, pursuing a life of influence, and how stepping back from that helped him find wholeness. Chuck also discusses the brokenness that so many pastors experience and how we can facilitate wholeness. Chuck’s story reminds us that honesty is the key to walking with the Lord.

Listen to Chuck’s story now!

Stories Chuck shared:

Growing up on Long Island, NY
Experiencing anxiety as a kid
The chaotic nature of his religious world as a child
Why he was drawn to Calvinism
Going to Dort College to find a softer version of reformed faith
Moving to Chicago and having a bit of a faith crisis
Feeling like he should go to seminary in Florida
Reaching the height of anxiety while in seminary
Going to see the professor of counseling
Deciding to get a degree in counseling to buy some time
Getting called out for flirting with a client
Taking a job at a church plant and getting fired years later
Moving to San Francisco and a new kind of anxiety and busyness
Getting counseling that picked up the fractured pieces
Why we get so many narcissistic pastors

Great quotes from Chuck:

We all at some level have to reckon with our own dividedness.

We are all walking contradictions.

Resources we mentioned:

Related episodes:

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