Ideal churches and visions for ministry often look and feel the same. Both consist of mental pictures, or images, of good churches—except one is a projection of the ego and the other is the product of the indwelling Spirit of God.
—David Hansen

The serious Christian, set down for the first time in a Christian community, is likely to bring with him a very definite idea of what Christian life together should be and try to realize it. But God's grace speedily shatters such dreams. —Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Each member of the board was a friend. Confident they would understand, I planned to tell them the truth. As their pastor I had listened to their pain in time of need; I knew they would listen to me in mine. After the business part of my pastor's report, I shared my situation.

"I'm really tired," I began. "The doctor says I have pneumonia. My load here is hardly bearable at times."

I went on about my problems. One board member began fidgeting. His face reddened and wrinkled. He held his thoughts ...