Comments from the Editor

By the time you read this page, the editorial staff will have reviewed all the articles in this journal many times. We go through rough drafts, revised drafts, revised revisions, galleys, page proofs, and blue lines. With that kind of saturation, we ought to learn something ourselves and as I review this issue’s contents, I emphatically feel that I have.

For example, John Cheydleur (page 57) taught me something I’d never realized before: it’s possible to feel encouraged and discouraged at the same time. Allowed to continue, these opposite forces create a condition of “burn-out.” Fulfillment and frustration work against each other, canceling each other out until nothing is left but paralyzing fatigue.

That idea helped me. I was reminded of the contradictory pressures I experienced as a pastor, similar to those our readers mention in their letters. Right now, the highs and lows of editing LEADERSHIP take their toll. Response from the first two issues has been very encouraging; however, finding substantive articles on motivation was quite discouraging. I found lots of manuals, books, and seminars describing what I considered manipulation, but very few on true motivation. Digging through stacks of books and reports sent me home many evenings with a knot in my stomach and a headache. At times I wondered if we’d chosen the wrong theme, even though our field research strongly suggested we quickly address this subject. Eventually, we located the people whom I felt could speak to the issue, but first we had to pursue many dead ends.

Encouraged and discouraged. No wonder “burn-out” is one of the first problems mentioned in any discussion about the complexities of the local church, whether you’re talking about the pastor or the people.

So I know my problem. But does that relieve the pressures? Not necessarily, and that’s where Bill Treadwell (see Forum) helped me. He talks about reporting these contradictory feelings in a responsible manner to someone who cares. Contained, such feelings expand like poisonous gases to a point of explosion. Thank God for loving spouses, resilient children, and understanding friends.

And thank God for the Holy Spirit. Through Helmut Thielicke (page 47) I’m reminded that God is always waiting to hear about my feelings, pressures, and problems. Ministry results are God’s problem-a problem he has reserved for himself. My task is to listen, learn, obey, and enjoy.

Enjoy! That’s a word we don’t hear enough about in ministry circles. As Bill also said in the forum, “When are we going to talk about the joy of ministry?” “Them that edits, learns.”

Ten months ago we began to look for an editorial staff for LEADERSHIP- people who would understand where pastors, staff members, and lay leaders live and minister. It’s a pleasure to announce the appointment of Terry Muck as Executive Editor. The son of a pastor/college professor, Terry has lived close to church ministry most of his life. He holds a master of divinity degree from Bethel Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, and a Ph.D. in comparative religions from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. Since completing his education, Terry has been editing and publishing secular magazines. One of his first assignments was to prepare the article “How I Motivate My Staff” (page 81). We welcome Terry, his wife, Judy, and their two young sons, David and Paul, to our LEADERSHIP family. (Incidentally, Terry is also the fourth-ranked handball player in the nation. If he comes to your town for research, challenge him to a game of handball or racquetball-but our advice is to demand a reasonable handicap!)