tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post245726201423682795..comments2023-11-03T05:46:44.728-04:00Comments on RevGalBlogPals: Ask the Matriarch - Dealing with a Loose Cannon LaypersonStephanie Anthony/She Revhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10089531643725874239noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-41646067904380972742010-06-19T16:50:04.099-04:002010-06-19T16:50:04.099-04:00"My only thought is that those are very expen..."My only thought is that those are very expensive (emotionally) office supplies." Ditto from me!<br /><br />Unhealthy in its own special way is an understatement. <br /><br />I can't say when or how, since I don't know the details, but at some point if it isn't addressed, the underlying attitude of allowing people to "pay" for the privilege of inappropraite behavior will be very damaging.<br /><br />Praying for the Sprit of Wisdom!Dorcas (aka SingingOwl)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15626748280614018533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-29432912186711319072010-06-18T22:45:39.035-04:002010-06-18T22:45:39.035-04:00forgot to add - that this approach is starting to ...forgot to add - that this approach is starting to work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-30779855947287308482010-06-18T22:43:55.355-04:002010-06-18T22:43:55.355-04:00on the side issue of donated office supplies, ther...on the side issue of donated office supplies, there are people in this congregation who donate goods, such as office supplies and educational resources. I tell them it is important for the church council and congregation to know how much it really costs to run the congregation, so please give the receipt to the treasurer for reimbursement, and if you want to, make a donation to the congregation for the same amount. <br />I explain that it is going to be really difficult for the next person in the position if we don't budget for resources, or there is an expectation that the next person is going to be able to, and wants to, pay for the resources.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-62464859194354282902010-06-17T23:16:35.546-04:002010-06-17T23:16:35.546-04:00Is there any chance at all that some sort of demen...Is there any chance at all that some sort of dementia is involved?<br /><br />In any case, what a very difficult situation!Betsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07399176212493797062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-56743888873546902612010-06-17T23:05:40.954-04:002010-06-17T23:05:40.954-04:00My only thought is that those are very expensive (...My only thought is that those are very expensive (emotionally) office supplies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-35560494606784421852010-06-17T20:10:33.739-04:002010-06-17T20:10:33.739-04:00Omigosh! Your comment explains a lot!
I was goin...Omigosh! Your comment explains a lot!<br /><br />I was going to say that it seems essential to me to collect some allies in the congregation before dealing with her. Given what you added here, that seems even more important. But it also seems like it might take even longer.<br /><br />At some point, the congregational leaders are going to have to realize that they are not going to keep pastors very long if they let the craziness continue unaddressed. Paper and office supplies might seem worth that, but I doubt it.<br /><br />If it helps, I had a woman like this who actually was my hired secretary. (I promise she didn't seem crazy when I hired her!) Eventually she joined the church, quit being paid secretary, became treasurer, moved all the bookkeeping to her house, and then when we insisted she bring it back, pitched a month-long fit and left completely, after paying herself back for the $400 printer she'd "donated" shortly before the final tantrum, taking her whole (by then very active) family with her. Is it worth the $400 to have her gone? You bet!<br /><br />Blessings!Lucky Freshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14031778688247918749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-45051229319524959292010-06-17T16:05:36.204-04:002010-06-17T16:05:36.204-04:00I am the one who wrote this question. Thank you f...I am the one who wrote this question. Thank you for all the advice, lots of good questions for me to explore. <br /><br />As for why I haven't really addressed it with her is because I have been asked by council to keep her happy because she purchases all the office supplies and paper for the church. So in a way she is paying us for the privilege of being my pseudo-secretary. I think this is unhealthy in its own special way but the congregation isn't in a position to address that right now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com