Pastoral
Who’s Killing the Church?
I put this onto Facebook: Re churches/pastors: (1) Christ loves his (imperfect) church; so should we (2) In a consumer culture, all leaders – including pastors – are more accountable to their clients (3) This often places an intolerable burden on some pastors, who are expected to be the ‘surrogate nurturing parent’ many never had, […]
When Clergy Lose their Faith
June 22, 2010 For clergy, losing faith can be an occupational hazard For some clergy, it is the problem that dare not speak its name. Affected pastors say they cannot be themselves among their congregations or colleagues, sometimes even with their own families. It’s a huge and burdensome secret with the potential to destroy their […]
The Awesome Power of Encouragement
I had a very traumatic childhood. My parents were actively involved in church life and supposedly good Christians. But at home it was a different story. My father sexually abused me from the age of four, and my mother resented me for taking my father’s attention from her. I remember her holding my head under […]
Australian archbishop: Catholic Church culture tied to abuse
By ROD McGUIRK The Associated Press Monday, May 24, 2010; 6:53 AM CANBERRA, Australia — The Roman Catholic Church’s culture of discretion and focus on “sin and forgiveness rather than crime and punishment” were among ingrained factors that ultimately led to the child sex abuse scandal and cover-up surrounding the church today, a pre-eminent Australian […]
Leaving Professional Ministry
I’ve left the professional ministry. I was ordained 25 years ago. I was a student minister before that. It has been a long hard haul. But I’ve gradually come to the realization that I can no longer work inside of the system. I no longer seem to fit within the institution. This is not to […]
The Failures of Christian Leaders
March 23, 2010 http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/the-ultimate-betrayal-20100320-qnav.html Why publish something like this – or the failures of the Catholic church, or those of some megachurch pastors etc? Because the church has been fairly criticized for burying stuff it should have exposed… But on the other hand, may our immediate response be ‘There but for the grace of God […]
Disbelief in the pulpit
What should pastors do if they no longer hold the defining beliefs of their denomination? Do clergy have a moral obligation not to challenge the sincere faith of their parishioners? If this requires them to dissemble from the pulpit, doesn’t this create systematic hypocrisy at the center of religion? What would you want your pastor […]
Stress, Burnout and Ex-Pastors – Resources
Hi friends, I just sent this to members of the Facebook Ex-Pastors group… (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12229003170 ) About once every week or two I’m asked * How many ex-pastors are there in Australia? * Why that huge attrition rate? The NCLS and Christian Research Association are the best people to ask about trends/statistics. In terms of the […]
Evicted from a (Sydney) Anglican Church
Pastor’s ban sparks unholy Anglican stoush SEAN NICHOLLS AND JACQUELINE MALEY February 13, 2010 A parishioner who says he has been wrongly exiled has placed his faith in the Supreme Court, write Sean Nicholls and Jacqueline Maley. THE first sign of trouble for Bruce Haddon came at an impromptu meeting with his pastor, the Reverend […]
The Academy and the Pulpit: A Disconnect
One of the most important areas I come across in debriefing/counseling with pastors/ex-pastors: ***** Among those who study Christian history and New Testament scholarship, there is one issue that frequently comes up: Why is there such a disconnect between what is being taught in universities, divinity schools, and seminaries across the country, and what is […]
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