Catherine Boyle
Author, Speaker, Doer“If you had your life to do over again, what would you be?”
The question was an unusual one for lunch with my banking co-workers. One by one, people answered. Waiting, I knew I had the choice to make a joke, or be honest.
“I’d be a writer or a missionary.”
All the air was sucked out of the room. My co-workers affirmed my heartfelt desires, and shortly thereafter, we went back to the office. But somehow, using that smaller-than-a-mustard-seed act of faith by speaking honestly, God set some things in motion, like
- leading a women’s ministry in my church,
- speaking for an international women’s ministry,
- starting a ministry home for women with eating disorder,
- writing a biblically based book and Bible study about eating disorder,
- starting a ministry to help churches serve families with mental illness,
- joining Key Ministry as Mental Health Ministry Director, Social Media Manager and Executive Editor.
I’ve contributed to several books, including Uncommon Beauty: 7 Qualities of a Beautiful Woman and Praise Reports Volume II. I’ve been honored to be interviewed on radio, TV, blogs and magazine articles, for publications as diverse as Money magazine and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
In addition to this website, I blog and speak regularly on topics related to mental health and high functioning autism on the Key Ministry website. I have several book-length projects in progress, so check back here often for updates!
Values & Beliefs
Jesus
The one and only. Savior and Messiah. God-man. Suffering servant. Prophet, Priest and King. Alpha and Omega. Light of the World. Bread of life. Living water. Creator and life-giver. Restorer. Rewarder. Resurrection power. In Him all things hold together.
The Bible
God’s Word. Inspired. Inerrant in original Hebrew and Greek. Life-giving. Transformative. Resonant. Rich. Endlessly deep. Surprising. Truthful. Truth.
Writing and Speaking the Truth in Love
Too much truth acts like a sledgehammer, leaving the hearers beaten and bloodied, too wounded to change. Too much love is like spaghetti, leaving the hearers cuddled but coddled, unchallenged to change. The balance of truth and love may cause some pain, but the love surrounding the pain allows the message to be received and to bear fruit. After all, the kindness of God leads to repentance.
Featured Publications
Key Ministry Articles
- Churches in Six States Can Radically Change the World Key Ministry’s Church 4 Every Child Blog
- In Their Own Words: Church Support and Mental Illness Key Ministry’s Church 4 Every Child Blog
- Five Stages of Spiritual Growth in Mental Illness Key Ministry’s Church 4 Every Child Blog
- Three Steps to Weave Mental Health Ministry Into the Life of Your Church Key Ministry’s Church 4 Every Child Blog
- Is Mental Health Ministry Too Inefficient for Your Church? Key Ministry’s Church 4 Every Child Blog
- Wide Margins for the Bullied, Key Ministry’s Church 4 Every Child Blog
- Conduct Yourselves in Truth and Love, Even Behind Closed Doors, Key Ministry’s Church 4 Every Child Blog
- Praying for Protection from Powers and Principalities, Key Ministry’s Church 4 Every Child Blog
- Mental Health Ministry and the Platinum Rule, Key Ministry’s Church 4 Every Child Blog
- Communicating Courage to Those With High Functioning Autism and Mental Health Conditions, Key Ministry’s Church 4 Every Child Blog
Other Publications
- Mental Health Ministry: The Mission Field In Your Backyard, guest blogger on DelightinDisorder.org.
- When A Teen Is In Crisis, 4 Godly Ways to Respond – Part 1 and Part 2, guest blogger on Differentdream.com.
- How Pastors Can Love Their Church Through Mental Health Difficulties, guest blogger on MentalHealthGraceAlliance.org.
- Bear In Mind the Need for Laughter, guest blogger on DifferentDream.com.
- Interview with James Madison University’s “Be the Change” Magazine about eating disorder, “The No. 1 Cause”
- Interview with Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, “Finding Freedom from Eating Disorders”