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JB Miller's avatar

I have been lurking free, but after this column I decided to subscribe. I have not read the book because I do not want to support the author in any way. I've been on 4 or 5 pastoral search committees and if I had been on her committee I'd be very upset to have her publish a book based on her experiences. Is it even ethical, even if the author claims it's fictionalized?

That being said, Are there are any denominations who have an ongoing program/classes that teaches people how they can be good parishioners. If not, why not? If books on the topic exist, I doubt the people who really need it would read them on their own, a denominational and congregational focus might be necessary to get the topic in front of people.

Also, many congregations lack clear guidelines as to how to respond to issues regarding the pastor. Do they talk directly to them, or is there another person who should receive feedback? No one, including the pastor, deserves to have every parishioner their supervisor. There has to be a better way.

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Elsa Cook's avatar

I have not wanted to read this book after full time parenting outside of the parish for as long as I have and just now putting a baby toe back into the search process. I really appreciate your voice in this and the notion that maybe the author was also part of the problem. But don't we love to write ourselves as heroes? Oh yes.

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