Who hasn't been hurt by the church? Some of us really badly? I have and this article and the comments following it are great for understanding it a little better. And, who knows, some of us might actually heal from those wounds one day. Straighten up church. Businesses treat people better than some of you have.
So here's a glass to loving each other better.
i like the comment from the one survey guy about how he's has more compassion and love than injury... even though i know that's true, i don't always feel that way. i'm afraid i got annoyed with the comments and didn't read beyond the first 8 or 10, but i do like the things the author has to say. it's a tough issue, and one that definitely needs to be dealt with.
ReplyDeletei'm raising a glass with you on this one! =)
I posted myself that employees are uniquely injured in churches by firings, abusive church members, etc. That's where I've found the most terrible stuff. Seems to me church leaders, for my part, should be volunteers or bi-vocational.
ReplyDeletethat's an interesting idea... leaders in what areas? all areas? what would that do about ordained pastors, or trained music leaders, or whatever? i'm intrigued... how would you see that working?
ReplyDeletepeople, as in the common church attender, wonder what the pastor does all week. after all, they "only work on Sundays." why not be sure that others know what we're doing-like working as schoolteachers, retailers, etc.
ReplyDeletein places where you're protected by a 2 year "call" this isn't as much of an issue. that's running the church like any decent business with a contract. but churches where the deacons/board/committee can get together at any time and fire them that makes professional clergy very exposed and in danger. having another fulltime job would alleviate all of that worry.
ah, i see. so it could vary by denomination, depending on how their structure is already? that makes sense. being a um, i was struggling to see how this would work... but having been in southern baptist churches where things were much more... um...fluid, i can totally see that.
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