10/08/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/08/2025 17:24
Posted on October 08, 2025
Colorado Christian University (CCU) is proud to announce the release of The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry (Baker Books, 2025), a groundbreaking collaborative work authored by 20 faculty members from the School of Counseling and edited by Dr. Mark Mayfield, Assistant Professor of Counseling at CCU.
Drawing on nearly 20 years in the counseling field and his own pastoral experience, Dr. Mayfield has created a practical and biblically grounded resource for pastors, ministry -leaders, and volunteers navigating the growing mental health crisis.
"At a time when 25-40% of people turn first to clergy for help with mental health struggles, many pastors feel unprepared," said Dr. Mayfield. "This book was written to provide the knowledge, language, and biblical wisdom necessary to care for people with compassion and competence."
A Practical Resource for Ministry
Organized into accessible sections, The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry includes:
The handbook is intentionally designed as both a teaching tool and a quick-reference guide for ministry settings.
Collaborative Scholarship
The book was developed in collaboration with leading clinicians, scholars, and ministry leaders, including many faculty from CCU's School of Counseling. Their expertise enriched the work with diverse perspectives and a Christ-centered integration of psychology and theology.
Early endorsements highlight the book's value:
"Equipping the church to care for mental and emotional well-being is not just professional work," said Dr. Mayfield. "It's kingdom work."
The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry is available now wherever books are sold.
About Colorado Christian University
Founded in 1914, Colorado Christian University is the premier interdenominational Christian college in the Rocky Mountain region. Located in Lakewood, Colorado, CCU serves more than 17,000 students on campus and online. The University's mission is to provide Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth. CCU offers over 200 academic program options and is consistently ranked among the top universities in the West for its academic excellence, spiritual formation, and commitment to faith integration.