nakedpastor
Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow me!” He didn’t say take up everyone’s. This is the danger every care-giver faces, including pastors. They either take up other people’s crosses, or some people are very pleased to burden you with their own. Many care-givers can’t resist the temptation to take on other people’s problems.
In 1977 I read a line in a book by Easum and Bandy called, Growing Spiritual Redwoods:
We found that thriving churches shun codependent relationships.
I found some of the comments on my post on building community interesting. I think all communities tend towards being dysfunctional and codependent. But I also believe that this must be resisted at all costs. Even a healthy community will exhibit some dysfunction and codependence sometimes. But a healthy community will not allow these to become permanent features of itself.
On another note: What about the care-giver’s own cross? Is he or she allowed to have his or her own cross? I find it interesting that people are allowed to have their own crosses, but often care-givers, including pastors, can’t appear to have one. Or if they do, they’re not to show it. Care-givers are often expected to have conquered their own crosses in order to carry the crosses of others. That’s just not real.
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