Half Measures or All In?
Half Measures Availed Us Nothing
Many AA meetings begin with a reading that includes the following, “Half-measures availed us nothing. We stood at the turning point.” AA members have tried a remarkable variety of actions to control their drinking or stop it on their own. “Drink only on weekends, drink only beer, use anxiety meds, smoke marijuana, etc.” After these “half-measures” failed, they “stood at the turning point” realizing they had to go “all in” to recover.
Conversations with clergy of many denominations indicate that most governing bodies deal with clergy behavioral health impairments by using “half measures”. These impairments are behind many clergy problems like misconduct, crises of faith, congregation conflicts, and complaints. Some governing bodies have EAP’s, insurance for counseling, and education in clergy self-care. These necessary actions are still just “half-measures” for clergy behavioral health impairments interfering with their ministries.
CRIC is Filling the Gap
Filling these gaps for church governing bodies is what The Center for the Restoration of (Behaviorally) Impaired Clergy (CRIC) was born to do. Not a counseling service, CRIC provides comprehensive resources to church governing bodies and resources for all those around the troubled clergy member.
The CRIC program offers 5 resources to fill the gap:
- Research that demonstrates the need for comprehensive impaired clergy programming and shares the successful programs of other professions.
- Policy and consulting resources to adapt these successful programs.
- Educational and consulting resources to help governing bodies with individual cases.
- Educational resources for colleagues, family, lay leaders, and friends in working with clergy members who have behavioral health disorders.
- Educational Resources for all clergy in pastoral care of behavioral health disorders
At the Turning Point
It’s time to bring an end to “half-measures”. The resources are available now. We stand “at the turning point.” Let’s begin the conversation about the church going “all in” on dealing with these issues.
CRIC is a non-profit whose sole purpose is to influence church governing authorities to use the best practices with clergy behavioral health issues. To learn how you can help, contact the editor, Otto Schultz, at 402-770-1974. Otto.Schultz@