Sunday, January 10, 2010

The clergy and mid life crisis

I've witnessed it a few time. Once in my tribe and a lot in other churches.
It is similar to the the 'normal' persons crisis, except I believe it can be more destructive.

Usually some of the triggers can be:

Age, and physical aging.
The death of loved ones such as parents,
Children leaving the nest,
career dissatisfaction,

The Wiki has some of the Characteristics of mid-life Crisis::

  • search of an undefined dream or goal
  • a deep sense of remorse for goals not accomplished
  • desire to achieve a feeling of youthfulness
  • need to spend more time alone or with certain peers

They exhibit some of these behaviors:

  • abuse of alcohol
  • conspicuous consumption—acquisition of unusual or expensive items such as motorbikes, boats, clothing, sports cars, jewelry, gadgets, tattoos, piercings, etc.
  • depression
  • blaming themself or their partner for their failures.
  • paying special attention to physical appearance such as covering baldness, wearing "younger" designer clothes etc.
  • entering relationships with younger people

(I would also add to the list, blaming others)

I'm sure that all Christians who have been a round a while would have seen the above behaviors with Clergy.
That when the incident is over and the minister has left the church. It would have been fobbed off as "Sin".

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