There’s few things I love more dearly than meaningful work at church. There’s few things more depressing that the politics associated with such work. The latter has been the bane of my existence since entering the ministry. Some of most hateful things I’ve ever experienced from my fellow humans came at church. Even dodging hostile gunfire is less stressful to me. However, given that what we are about at church is ostensibly regarding things eternal, it only makes sense it should generate such strong feelings. Still, with all the blowing up we do at each other, it’s a wonder anything we say and do ever threatens the Devil. Tim, I know how you feel — really, I do.

Thanks Ed, as always you hit the nail on the head. It is depressing too, you are right.

I suppose, on the bright side, since I’ve known this was coming, it might actually be less stressful once I resign and move onto other things. I hope, at least.

It’s a bizarre feeling knowing my time on the project is coming to a close. Most of the publicity communication is done by e-mail on a list I host, and most of the team has been continuing to respond to ideas and such as normal (including my proposal I had put out for improved publicity collaboration before my trip). It’s weird knowing that, even as these volunteers agree that the ideas sound good, others — including one member of the taskforce who is likely the person that “the powers that be” have wanted to take my position from the beginning — have been working behind the scenes to oust me and invalidate the opinions of the others by implementing policies that eliminate collaborative efforts and the existing structure of the group as well.

Uhg. You are right about that all of the problems in church do make sense though.