Tension in the ministerial family is as old as Moses and Zipporah on the way to Egypt. Those who speak for God have never been immune to the stresses that plague husbands and wives, parents and children. In fact, their work makes their home life more vulnerable than most, while the stakes run higher. The nightmare of every church leader is that his high calling may be discredited by family meltdown.

In the following forum, three pastors and a pastor's wife consider the hazards. Their discussion centers around a troubling but insightful book, Man of Vision, Woman of Prayer (Nelson, 1980) by Marilee Pierce Dunker, daughter of the famous Bob Pierce, who founded World Vision, one of the largest Christian relief and development agencies. "We are used to frank biographies, especially of film stars and entertainers," wrote Eternity magazine's reviewer, "but this book sets a new record for the evangelical world. It is amazing that the daughter who chronicles this heartbreaking story clearly loves-yes ...