Is there a link between forgiveness and mental well-being? Join Steph and Dr. Mark Rockenbach for a discussion about how forgiveness affects mental health and how withholding forgiveness affects not just the soul, but the body and mind.
Bio: Dr. Mark Rockenbach received his B.A. from Concordia College, Seward, NE; M.Div. from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO; M.A. in counseling from Doane College, Lincoln, NE and his Ph.D. in psychology from Capella University, Minneapolis, MN. Dr. Rockenbach served as a parish pastor before accepting a call to The Nebraska District Office where he served as the Executive for Church Worker Health and Reconciliation. He served as a mental health counselor and adjunct professor at Concordia University in Seward, NE and Concordia University in Mequon, WI. He currently serves in the following roles at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO: Professor of Practical Theology, Director of Personal Growth and Leadership Development, IRB Director, and Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program. Dr. Rockenbach is the co-author of the book “Unforgivable? How God’s Forgiveness Transforms our Lives.”
Resources in this episode:
- Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org
- LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org
- For resources on the family: lcmslife.org/family
If you are in an emergency situation, please call 911. If you are depressed or thinking about harming yourself or someone else, or if this is the case for someone you know, please call or text 988 from a smartphone to reach the National 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.
We believe that God is the author and sustainer of all life. We also know it can be hard to speak about the intrinsic value of life, health and the family when it feels like the world is trying to drown us out.
We’re right here beside you. In this podcast of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Life, Health and Family Ministries, we’re coming alongside one another as a community of Christ’s redeemed people. Together we’ll explore life, health and family issues in a way that honors our heavenly Father’s value of human life, serves our neighbor, shares the faith and connects us to others who are doing the same. Join us, so that together we can be friends for life.