THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 29, 1995 TAG: 9509270177
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03W EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JANELLE LA BOUVE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 95 lines
When Christian leaders fall from grace, some people become disenchanted. Others gloat. Joyce Strong's reaction at such times has been to come to the defense of God's reputation.
``But God can jolly well take care of himself,'' Strong said. ``What he is concerned about is us.
``When sin in the camp of a gospel ministry becomes public, it serves as a warning to cause people to examine their hearts,'' said Strong, a Chesapeake resident and author of a new book entitled ``Lambs on the Ledge: Seeing and Avoiding Danger in Ministry.''
During the 20 years she was employed by Christian ministries, Strong realized that staff and ministry leaders often need to be ministered to. Those observations served as the inspiration for her book, which will be released in November by Christian Publications.
``If we expect to offer spiritual wholeness to the world, we must have it in our own lives first,'' she said. ``It is time for Christians to take whatever measures are necessary to grow up.''
In the book's first draft, Strong didn't mention specific issues. But her editor encouraged her to include incidents describing situations which may occur in a ministry setting. She revised her manuscript to begin every chapter with real-life situations.
``During the years of working in ministry, I saw staff come and go,'' she said. ``Often they left with hurt feelings. Sometimes no one had helped them with their own personal problems.
``I served under one leader who set a course for fund-raising which lacked integrity,'' she said. ``When a staff member tried to confront him or bring pressure to bear for change, the staff member was usually fired. There was no concern for the exiting staffer nor an effective route of appeal. This ultimately destroyed the leader and embittered many.''
A friend of Strong's taught in a residential ministry for many years.
``He was talented and committed to the ministry,'' she said. ``He worked long hours and served in many different ways. However, there were deep wounds from his childhood which had never been resolved.''
She said her friend often felt the need to go the church altar for prayer, but resisted for fear of appearing vulnerable.
``He repressed the pain and resorted to anti-depressants. Then he became addicted and was fired,'' she said. ``He was bitter because, while his superiors were willing to use his services until he was exhausted, they were insensitive to his personal needs.''
Although the book was written primarily for ministry leaders, Strong said its principles apply to others as well.
``I was scared to let go of my role in ministry,'' she said. ``But God taught me that my identity is not in what I do, but in who I am.''
Before she began writing, Strong asked for input from other people who work with ministries. She sent questionnaires to 12 pastors and ministry leaders whom she respected. She followed up with interviews. Their responses supported her convictions.
Strong said her book points out that leaders must be open to correction and that they must be accountable for their actions.
``Leaders should be willing to lay down their dearest project if their advisers recommend against it,'' she said. ``It's a plea for everyone in ministry to grow up, to become mature Christians who trust God and people who keep their own hearts pure.''
Strong compared the ministry to being on a ledge on the side of a mountain.
``It can be the best of places and the worst of places,'' she said. ``The sheep and the shepherd are there. If the sheep follows and obeys, the ledge is a wonderful place to be. But there's a precipice beyond which there is a chasm of sorrow and injury.''
Strong said it took her only 2 1/2 months to write the book, but it was years before she found a publisher. During that time, she revised and refined her manuscript several times.
When two publishers finally began to show interest in her manuscript, their comments were reassuring.
``They expressed the view that there was no tone of judgment nor accusation but one of love and concern,'' Strong said.
Her 20 years of ministry experience includes two years in Bradenton, Fla., as a teacher for men with problems like drug addiction and spouse abuse. She also taught at a Christian school in Pennsylvania. She is co-author of a devotional book called ``Hearts Aflame'' and frequently speaks at churches and ministry groups.
Recently, Strong has been spending her mornings at a local restaurant working on another book.
``Being around people always stimulates my creativity,'' she said. ``I go where the coffee is good and where they will allow me to sit for a couple of hours and write.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS
Joyce Strong, author of ``Lambs on the Ledge,'' says friends have
started sending her a variety of lambs.
by CNB