Today is an important day in my life.
I uploaded my book manuscript today to the publisher.
Every year, I remember the birthdates of family and friends.
Every year, I remember the anniversary of my father’s death.
And from now until the day I die, I will remember October 24, 2009.
Because on that day, my life and ministry … and the life and ministry of my wife … changed forever.
And that’s what my book is all about.
I’ve spent more than 30 months working on my book. Over the past month, I’ve been getting up most mornings around 5 am to finish it.
I’ve told friends and family that “I’m just about done” so many times that they’ve stopped taking me seriously.
When I write articles for this blog … and I’ve written 230 of them so far … I can go back and change some wording any time I want.
But when you write a book, and have it published, it’s permanent. You get an ISBN number. It goes to the Library of Congress.
Worst of all for a perfectionist, you can’t change the text after it’s published.
But I’m getting sick of it. It’s become an unwelcome intruder into my brain and my marriage … and my sleep patterns.
Besides, I can’t write another book until I get this one out of my life. (I’m writing a simple e-book next time.)
Here’s what I wrote as a summary of the book for the back cover:
Conflict in churches has reached epidemic levels. With 1,500 pastors leaving the ministry every month – many being forced to leave – Jesus’ church is increasingly losing trained, impactful leaders. These conflicts damage pastors, their families, and congregations alike. While many Christian leaders are aware of this issue, most have chosen to maintain silence rather than combat this problem. Church Coup is the firsthand account of a pastor who experienced a devastating conflict and who exposes why such tragedies occur while suggesting biblical, concrete solutions for their resolution.
The book should be out before Christmas, if not sooner. I’ll let you know when I have a publishing date.
Please pray for the book’s success. I already know it’s not going to be a million-seller … after all, there isn’t any murder or sex in it … and the average Christian book sells less than a hundred copies.
So I already expect to visit a Christian bookstore someday and see a remainder mark on the book while it’s baking in the sun on the discount table outside. (I’ll never get a job in marketing.)
But before that happens, I pray it does some good.
Three years ago, my wife and I experienced confusion, anger, and shame.
Today, we experience clarity, calm, and redemption.
And redemption is a beautiful word.
I recently discovered your blog and have been so glad to finally find somebody who will tell the truth about what is happening to pastors. I am thankful you have spoken for so many of us. I will look for your book. The message must be heard.
LikeLike
Hi Jan,
Thanks for your encouraging comments. I’m pretty much a broken record on this subject because I’ve seen pastors be abused and mistreated all my life. It’s okay for people to disagree with a pastor, but it’s wrong for people to try and destroy a pastor. Hopefully we can band together and make a dent in this malady that plagues the Christian church. May God richly bless you and your family.
Jim
LikeLike
Thank you Jim,
I think the book will do well. There certainly is a need for it.We are still recovering, but getting stronger.
LikeLike
That’s good to hear, Peter. Thanks for the encouragement. Life is slowly getting better for us, and it will for you, too. Keep me posted!
Jim
LikeLike
I believe that your book will be a blessing. I will order a copy and possibly we can plan how I can distribute copies for sale in Kenya. Thanks.
LikeLike
Thank you, Elijah! God bless you, my brother … keep preaching the Word and standing for the Lord!
Jim
LikeLike
Welcome. I read your articles and they really equip and shape me for effectiveness in ministry. We miss Mrs Jim, she taught us many many things. Is she and you coming to Kenya soon?
LikeLike
Elijah, I am glad that the articles help you. They are the accumulated wisdom of many years serving the Lord. Mrs. Jim – my wife – would love to come to Kenya soon, but right now, we don’t know when that would be. Thank you for asking.
Jim
LikeLike
Thanks. From now onwards I will be praying for you and I am sure God will richly bless you and enable you to reach many nations – both physically and through other means. That’s my dream and desire too, keep me in your prayers. The LORD bless you, the LORD keep you. Elijah.
LikeLike
Thank you, Elijah. I just heard from Kim. She is doing very, very well, although she is sick with a cold like I am. Thanks for your prayers … and I will pray for you too, my friend.
LikeLike
Jim: I ran across your website and am very interested in forced termination of ministry. My wife & I experienced it ten years ago. Right now I am engaged in research to propose a theory of Christian leadership development that sees this experience as a catalytic crisis of growth. Do you know of any work that has been done specifically in this area? In Christian love, Curtis
P.S. Soon entering my 40th year of pastoral ministry
LikeLike
Curtis,
Thanks for writing. I just finished a book on the topic and have to submit corrected galleys to finish the process. I will get back to you in two days. Thanks!
Jim
LikeLike
Curtis,
Wow, you wrote more than two weeks ago! I’ve been largely out of commission for the past three weeks, so I’m finally able to reply to your question in a proper manner.
You wouldn’t believe how many Christian leaders I’ve met who have gone through forced termination. I would venture to say that a high percentage of interim pastors have experienced a forced exit, as well as many leaders of parachurch organizations. Seems like most Christian leaders started out as pastors.
I don’t know any work that’s being done to demonstrate how this experience can help pastors to grow. Please send me your research when you’re done.
My concern is to educate lay people about the biblical way to handle these situations. If a board or a faction in a church wants to terminate their pastor … whether deserved or not … the methodology they use to get rid of him is nearly always a satanic strategy rather than a biblical one. In the process of using the law of the jungle to get rid of a pastor, churches end up destroying their souls, and the evil one laughs.
So that’s my primary concern.
God bless you in your work, Curtis!
Jim
LikeLike