Here are ten more contrasts between healthy and unhealthy clergy.
11. Spirit of the Living God, Breathe on Me
HC sense the Spirits movement in the good and the bad.
UC feel despair is a sign of God’s abandonment.
12. Personal Spiritual Practices
HC make time for personal spiritual practices a priority.
UC neglect spiritual disciplines because there is not enough time.
13. To Whom Does Scripture Speak
HC approaches Scripture with the question:”What is God saying to me?”
UC approach Scripture with the question: “How can I use this in a sermon?”
14. The focus of Our Prayers
HC pray for other people and for greater understanding in their ministry.
UC pray about being misunderstood and under appreciated.
15. Thinking About the Future
HC take time to muse and play with possibilities for the future.
UC are too busy to play or imagine the future.
16. Faith and Success
HC recognize that faithful ministry doesn’t always appear successful.
UC are shaped by the world’s definition of success.
17. The Success of Other Clergy
HC celebrate God’s work in other clergies’ ministries.
UC are envious & critical of other clergies’ ministries.
18. Sexual Attraction
HC occasionally feel sexual attraction to others.
UC feels same attraction but don’t understand appropriate boundaries.
19. Being Anxious in Anxious Times
HC trust in the sovereignty of God that eases their anxiety in difficult times.
UC allow difficulties to increase their anxiety & makes them critical of others.
20. Who is the Savior
HC recognize that God’s grace is made perfect in our weakness.
UC confuse salvation by personal effort with salvation by faith.
How would you contrast some unhealthy attitudes in your life with the healthy attitude you would like to have?
How willing are you to permit God to work through your imperfections?
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Coming soon: A Star and a Tear: A novel mystery exploring the symbiotic relationship of sexuality and spirituality.
I appreciate seeing the contrasts between healthy and unhealthy clergy. Do you have any suggestions on how to find help to develop a process to assist clergy in crisis?