Join West Church for an enlightening journey of self-discovery in our upcoming message series, “Taming the Chimp Within.”
In a world filled with constant challenges and emotional complexities, understanding the inner workings of our minds is essential for personal growth and spiritual well-being.

Even those who are completely emotionally aware sometimes wrestle with allowing one’s emotions to take control. That then leads to impulsive decisions and unexpected reactions. The “Chimp Paradox” offers profound insights into the dual nature of our minds, unlocking the secrets to mastering the emotional side—the ‘Chimp’ within us.

Yet,this series is not just about psychology; it’s a scriptural exploration of timeless wisdom. We will use timeless scriptural principles alongside the wisdom of The Chimp Paradox, to discover powerful principles that equip you to navigate life’s ups and downs with grace and resilience.

Why should you tune in? Here’s why:

1. **Self-Discovery**: Gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your emotional responses, paving the way for personal growth and emotional intelligence.

2. **Practical Strategies**: Learn practical strategies for taming the impulsive Chimp within, fostering self-control and discipline in alignment with biblical principles.

3. **Renewed Mindset**: Explore how to renew your mind and think in ways that reflect God’s truth, leading to transformation in your thought patterns and behaviors.

4. **Positive Living**: Discover the power of a positive mindset, living “above the line” as you align your thoughts with things that are life-giving

, not life-sucking. 

Don’t miss out on this transformative series that merges psychological wisdom with biblical truth. Join us each week as we embark on a journey toward mastering our minds and experiencing the freedom and peace that come from aligning our thoughts with The Divine. Your life will be forever changed! 

Real Conversations: A Psychologist, a Doctor, and a Pastor Talk About Anxiety.

February 4, 2024
Two pastors I admired infinitely had a saying before preaching. "Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable and pleasing to your sight, oh God." Or "Let these be your words, not my own, for you, O Lord, alone are our strength and redeemer." That's a thought I've held onto as I have lived into the calling and responsibility of preaching. Even though I don't pray the words out loud, they are always a part of who and where I am. Yesterday in worship was no different. Even though it started w/ small profanity b/c of the microphone glitch . . . . We were lucky to have LuAnne Gatlin and Shirley Miller, medical and mental health professionals, sharing with us about anxiety. Or that was the original point. However, as we talked about anxiety, the conversation progressed. Frankly, I ended up sharing things I did not intend to share about my own journey with mental health ten years ago. We talked about how, because of mental and medical interventions, I was able to navigate one of, if not the, darkest of times in my personal life. I want to thank you for the safe space you provided following worship. I don't mind being vulnerable but that was more than I'd intended. Thus I was not quite sure how to navigate the "greeting" time. Recently I saw a post on social media that a troller put on a pastor's page. "You are supposed to be different than everyone else. Better. Holier." For years, that idea has abounded regarding clergy. I always seek to be connected and in communion with God. However, I am also 100% human. With the same emotions others face. Anger. Fear. Disappointment. Sadness. My calling and profession does not immunize me from the crap part of life. What it does do is serve as a constant reminder that I am called to navigate all things through the lens of Love and with the power of God that lies within me. With that being said, as I did not know how to "take one more step," I realized I needed help (and quickly). Thus, my seeking medical and mental professional help. It's ten years later. Five years were filled with times that seemed a lot to me like walking through "hell." Yet now I look back and see how God was at work, holding me, carrying me, pushing me, and sometimes pulling me in and through the darkest things. Finally, this is why what we do as a church matters so much. Because I know I'm not the only one that navigates such dark things. I know I'm not the only one who gets to a point so dismal, we wonder if we can get up out of the heap and move forward. Thank you for being a church that allows your pastor to be human. The respect you share for me in trusting my sharing. I look forward to continuing to see how God uses us in the community and world. Grace and Peace, Andrea