Dementia, Schizophrenia, and the God Who Remembers

What happens to your faith when your mind starts to fail? Can someone with schizophrenia truly experience God? Does dementia destroy who you are — or does God hold your identity even when you can't?In this conversation, practical theologian Dr. John Swinton draws on 16 years as a mental health nurse and decades of research to explore the intersection of faith, mental illness, disability, and dementia. He shares why the Church has often failed the very people Jesus called friends, and why "inclusion" isn't enough — real belonging means being missed when you're not there.Dr. Swinton unpacks: -Why spiritual experiences in mental illness are real, not symptoms to dismiss -What Jesus' friendships reveal about the marginalized -The difference between being included and truly belonging -Why your identity isn't held by your memory — it's hidden in Christ -How to walk with a loved one through dementia without losing hope -What the global Church can learn about memory and community from indigenous cultures If you've ever felt excluded from church because of a mental health struggle, a disability, or a loved one's dementia — this conversation is for you. You may forget God, but God never forgets you Dr. John Swinton is Professor of Practical Theology and Pastoral Care at the University of Aberdeen, and the author of Finding Jesus in the Storm and Dementia: Living in the Memories of God. Chapter Titles: 0:00 Introduction 0:18 Why a Mental Health Nurse Became a Theologian 1:02 Can You Experience God Through Schizophrenia or Depression? 2:40 What Jesus Brings That Therapy Can't 3:11 Jesus' Friendships With the Marginalized 5:07 Why the Church Has Failed People With Disabilities 5:50 Inclusion Isn't Enough — It Has to Be Belonging 6:47 The Body of Christ Is Built on Difference 8:13 Does Dementia Erase Your Identity? 9:22 You Are Hidden in Christ — Not in Your Memory 10:19 Hope for Caregivers Walking Through Dementia 11:59 What Indigenous Cultures Teach Us About Memory 13:18 A Message for Anyone Who Feels Excluded From Church This program is funded by the generous support of 100 Huntley Street viewers and is produced by Crossroads, a registered charity in Canada and the USA. Donate or become a monthly partner at https://donate.crossroads.ca/100hs-yt Join this channel to help spread the word about Jesus on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4b1cyjfinmRIsTljCJMUIA/join Need prayer? Our Prayer Line services 1-866-273-4444 are available toll-free 24/7. Or you can submit your prayer requests online http://100hs.ca/prayer We also offer extended assistance to those in need. Click here if you're interested in subscribing: http://100hs.ca/subscribe Connect with 100 Huntley Street Online: • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100huntley/ • Twitter: https://twitter.com/100Huntley • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/100huntley/ About 100 Huntley Street™: http://100huntley.com Looking for a program that will encourage and inspire your Christian faith? 100 Huntley Street brings you the amazing stories of people – whether they be world leaders, celebrities, sports figures, or everyday people – who have had life-changing encounters with God.