Experience Emerge (ExEm)

When We're Unsure of "How or If" We Are Saved, Scrupulosity and More: Pastor Austin McCann

Matthew Knabe, MA, LPCC Season 6 Episode 115

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In this episode, our host has a thoughtful conversation with Pastor Austin McCann about the diverse ways people encounter Christ and begin their faith journey. While some stories of salvation seem simple and clear, others are marked by struggle, questions, and even deep anxiety. Pastor Austin helps us unpack the reality that there is no single blueprint for coming to faith—God works uniquely in every heart.

A significant part of the discussion centers on scrupulosity, a form of religious anxiety often tied to OCD-type thinking, where individuals become overly preoccupied with sin, confession, or the fear of not being “saved enough.” This intersection of mental health and spirituality can create heavy burdens for believers who long to follow Jesus but feel trapped in cycles of doubt and guilt. Pastor Austin shares wisdom and pastoral insight on how the church can come alongside those wrestling with these struggles, offering compassion, patience, and the hope of God’s grace.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your faith story “measures up” or struggled with relentless thoughts about salvation, this conversation will remind you that God’s love isn’t bound by formulas or checklists. Instead, it’s an invitation into a relationship—one that meets us in our questions, our weaknesses, and even our mental health battles.

Emerge.org "You Don't Have to Walk Alone"

Emerge.org - "You Don't Have to Walk Alone" 

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Experience Emerge (ExEm)

Matthew Knabe, MA, LPCC