The Voice of the Evangelist

Editorial Comments

By David Ball, M.D.

In 1785 the Scottish poet, Robert Burns, wrote a poem for which few people remember the title (To A Mouse) but many remember a line about half way through the 18 verses, "the best-laid plans of mice and men, go oft awry" (English translation). This was later to become the inspiration for the title of a short novel, Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck.

Perhaps it is a bit of an over simplification, but the theme of both of these accounts is that we often make detailed plans for our future, and then, alas, like the mouse — find unintended interruptions for even our "best-laid plans."

This issue proposes to deal with some of those interruptions. It is a difficult task, and one which will almost certainly generate much discussion and some disagreement. That is alright because we Christians disagree about practically everything else. So, why then should we embark on a discussion which will provoke more disagreement?

First, understand that it is not my desire to "provoke disagreement" but rather, on the contrary to promote understanding and unity. It is only necessary to promote such unity and understanding where disagreement already exists. It is my heart's desire to provide a framework that allows healing and some degree of unity in areas that often bring ministries to a screeching halt.

With that preamble we will look at three (of many) areas where we are vulnerable to Satan's attack in our ministries. We sometimes think that Satan's attack tends to be a full frontal assault with guns blazing. In truth Satan is smarter and more subtle than that. In a frontal assault it is easy to recognize the enemy, return the fire, and feel confident in our battle plan. Satan knows that, so he often attacks from the flank, or an ambush, or even through some covert engagement. If we are still standing after the initial onslaught, we usually have to reformulate our plans — because we find that "our best-laid plans have gone awry."

In this issue we will look at how our ministry can survive after the death of a spouse. Dr. Robert Self, a dear friend and pastor of one of our larger churches in Mississippi, recently lost his wife of almost 50 years. He was quite naturally, grief stricken and struggled to find it in himself to persevere. His wife's almost dying words to him rang in his ears, "Robert, go do your job because somebody needs you!" He made it, and we can learn from his journey.

Next we will look at "burn-out". I have asked Dr. Chuck Hannaford, a Christian psychologist to address this difficult topic. Personally, in my own practice, this is one of the most common problems my Christian ministry patients face. The burden is heavy, the church members' expectations are high, and the personal aspirations are high. Couple that with the belief that nobody can or will do the job if the minister doesn't, and you have the blueprint for failure.

Finally, we will face the disastrous results of divorce. There are few situations a minister finds himself in that are more ruinous to his "career" than divorce. Another dear friend and very successful pastor faced this problem and had to resign a large church at the peak of his ministry. He fell into the depths of despair and even considered suicide. His worst enemy was (believe it or not) the church and previous pastor friends. After 20+ years he is back in the pulpit preaching that divorce is a sin and is basking in God's grace and forgiveness. Because of the difficulty of this topic I have asked Dr. Jay Richardson (not the pastor mentioned above) to write from the perspective of a pastor who has gone through divorce — before becoming a pastor. I have also asked Dr. Steve Cappa, a Christian counselor in Colorado to write from the perspective of the process of restoration.

It is my prayer that all who read these articles will open their hearts to the pain and agony these problems produce, and will reach out to those whose ministry is threatened as Satan causes "the best-laid plans of mice and men to go awry."