Clergy Couples in Crisis

by Dean Merrill

Publishers:

Christianity Today; Word

, 1985

Overview

What God hath joined together, let not the pastorate put asunder.

Holding a pastoral marriage together is like canoeing the Colorado River. In the midst of exquisite scenery come stretches of white water that challenge a couple’s tenacity, pitch them one way and then another, soak them to the skin. The water, so placid a mile upstream, now roars its threat to swallow the frightened partners in each end of the fragile craft.

Sadly, white water rapids conquer some husbands and wives, capsizing their marriage and dashing them into the rocks. Others, however get through alive, together—and more experienced at river travel as a result. The next rapids will be easier for them.

This book’s hard-hitting documentaries are like movies of pastoral couples navigating the rapids. They provide clues on where the biggest boulders lurk and which channels are most passable. Each documentary is followed by comments from one of the following noted pastoral counselors: Dr. Gary Collins, Trinity Evangelical Divinity SchoolDr. Louis McBurney, Marble RetreatDr. David Seamands, Asbury Theological Seminary This is the third volume of THE LEADERSHIP LIBRARY, a continuing series from LEADERSHIP, the practical journal for church leaders published by Christianity Today, Inc. Others in the series have included Well-Intentioned Dragons: Ministering to Problem People in the Church and Liberating the Leader’s Prayer Life.

THE LEADERSHIP LIBRARY is more that a collection of theory; it provides ways of coping with the most difficult areas of everyday church life. It offers practical, proven routes to effective ministry.

Contents

Top Highlights

“The purpose of this book, therefore, is disarmament. It is to show where the explosives lie and how they may be defused.” (Page 10)

“Oswald Chambers said, ‘The twin deceivers of the Christian life are success and failure. Christ has not called us to either; he has called us to faithfulness.’” (Page 145)

“Her final sentence says it all: ‘We learned to communicate about our needs before reaching a crisis point. We learned to hear one another.’ The sooner we face into a matter of tension, the easier it is to deal with it. The longer we let things go, the bigger the problem becomes. That is why many couples don’t arrive at the happy ending this couple found.” (Page 28)

“‘Marriage gives rise to ministry. It is ministry’s foundation. Out of our service to our wives we build a superstructure of ministry to the rest of the congregation.’” (Page 56)

“Sometimes we let conclusions build in our minds that aren’t valid. Consistent communication can keep this from happening.” (Page 45)

Product Details

• Title: Clergy Couples in Crisis
• Author: Dean Merrill
• Publisher: CTI
• Publication Date: 1985
• Pages: 216

About Dean Merrill

Dean Merrill is the author of 10 books and the co-author of 40 others. His most recent solo book is "50 Pentecostal and Charismatic Leaders Every Christian Should Know" (Chosen Books, 2021). His collaborations have included titles with such varied voices as:

• Ritz-Carlton co-founder Horst Schulze

• Compassion International president Dr. Wess Stafford

• Hobby Lobby founder David Green

• Philippine missionary survivor Gracia Burnham (New York Times bestseller)

• Brooklyn Tabernacle pastor Jim Cymbala (Christian Book of the Year, also a Gold Medallion)

Merrill has also been published in more than 40 Christian magazines. His career has included editorships at Campus Life, David C. Cook, Leadership Journal, Christian Herald and Focus on the Family. From 1997 to 2004, he was vice-president and publisher at International Bible Society. Since then he has given full time to independent writing.

Merrill’s education includes a bachelor of theology degree from Chicago Bible College and a master of arts degree in journalism from Syracuse University. He and his wife live in Colorado Springs; they have three married children.