The Commission for Theological Integrity has been offering seminars at the National Association for decades now. As one Commission member likes to say, “We were doing them before they were cool.” This effort continues this year as we will sponsor a seminar entitled, “Mental Health After the Pandemic: Theology and Member Care.” This timely offering will feature two winsome practitioners within the field, Dr. Sarah Bracey and Rev. Zach Maloney.

Bracey serves as the Program Coordinator for the Psychology department at Welch College, teaching courses in both psychology and in teaching. She is a graduate of Ball State University and has a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of the Cumberlands. Bracey brings her training as a licensed professional counselor to bear not only in the classroom and campus life, but in the local church and other professional contexts, including service to our denomination through the Committee for Denominational Research. She is passionate about equipping students, pastors, and laymen to minister well to those suffering and experiencing grief.

Maloney currently serves as a Hospice Chaplain with Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care in Dayton, Ohio. He cares for families and patients in their final months of life.  Maloney is a graduate of Welch College and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where his studies focused on Christian ethics. He has a background in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in two states, including Kentucky, where he completed his CPE residency at UK HealthCare. He is currently pursuing board certification through the Association of Professional Chaplains. His interests include the ethics of life and death, systematic theology, and pastoral care to persons with suicidal ideations.  Maloney is also an ordained Free Will Baptist minister.

The presentations and subsequent discussion will be moderated by Dr. Jackson Watts, a member of the Theological Commission.

We invite all Convention attendees to join us in Renasant Convention Center River Front 1/2 on Monday at 2:00pm for this practical and provocative look at the challenges facing our congregations post-COVID. A time of Q&A will follow our presenters’ talks.