HORROR STORIES
Impaired Clergy Horrors
I never understood how people can “enjoy” a horror movie. Regular life is scary enough so paying somebody to scare me has no appeal. While carefully disguised, the impaired clergy “horror” stories below are all true in the relevant facts. While there were serious losses, all the Pastors described here landed on their feet.
Alena’s Crash
Alena suffered some serious injuries in a car crash. Several surgeries were a godsend, but she became addicted to opiates. The opiates took their toll on her busy life. Knowing that she could not give them up on her own, she sought treatment. While initially supportive, the church board ultimately determined that a Pastor who went to treatment was no longer “a good match” for their congregation. The governing authority could only offer her sympathy. Alena continues to serve the church at large, but not as a Pastor.
William’s Affair
William had an affair of the heart. But when those steamy sexts came to light, they had 3 results:
- They put his marriage into counseling for several years
- They caused the church’s governing officials to expel him permanently
- They led to his recovery from alcoholism.
Even with no help from his church’s governing authority, he found recovery and another profession. The governing authority never understood the relationship between alcoholism and his affair. It offered no path to reinstatement. William was lost to pastoral ministry.
Stan’s Temper
Stan had trouble controlling his temper. As his anger drove people away, his anxiety rose, giving him a shorter fuse, driving still more people away. In the end, he moved to a different church body. The governing authority could provide no guidelines for Stan or congregation members. Two years later the congregation closed.
Rewriting the Ending
CRIC is all about preventing “horror” stories like these. CRIC has learned the methods other professions use and adapted them for the Church. You can help put these methods to work with your governing authority. Call us or email to find out how.
Just Say “No Thanks”
Compassionate Accountability is the newsletter of The Center for the Restoration of Impaired Clergy. You receive it since you indicated an interest in the Center’s work. To stop it, just say “No Thanks.” The newsletter is assembled by Otto Schultz so address your complaints and questions to OttoBSchultz@outlook.com.