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<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#ff0000>G'Day, McNair!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans" color=#ff0000></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans">I was very interested to read your email of last
week. So glad to hear that Wes and Judy had the opportunity to help you
sort things out, materially and otherwise.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans"></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans">You used a term in the email that I'm going to use
(due credit given to you, of course). You described the "fog of overwhelm"
and that is where I am at the moment. I am the only pastor at a church
that over 300 people would call their church with no foreseeable possibility of
additional staff. I have a wife and four daughters that all want more
attention from me. The maintenence of a house, yard and three cars is
mostly my responsibility. I'm getting depressed and overwhelmed just
writing all this. The fog of overwhelm is my life right now.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans"></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans">Add to that the frustration of years of not seeing
anywhere near the kind of positive response from the church as I did at the two
other churches where I've served. This last fall they stupidly took an
area of ministry away from me which I enjoy immensely and in which I
excel and which man people appreciated. They reiterated their displeasure
with my performance in areas in which I do not excel and told me to focus on
that with no offer to help. Playing to one's strength is not a concept
they are familiar with, nor do they want to learn it. Rather than
developing god-given gifts to their full potential, they are focussed on
traditional roles. They can now focus on my backside as I head out the
door. It's time to look elsewhere. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans"></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans">After I made the decision to begin figuring out
what to do instead of this ministry, I began to sleep much better. My
overall energy level is better. I don't even hate going to the office as
much as I did now that I am looking to leave. Which brings me to the
reason for writing you.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans"></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans">In my search, I came across a church in your
general area that is without a pastor and may need some help filling the pulpit
on occasion. I don't know anybody at the church nor have I been
there. Just saw the ad for senior pastor and thought you might find an
opportunity to get some bills paid while they are between pastors.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans"></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans">Hope Ev. Free</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans">2701 Noriega St.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans">San Francisco, CA</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans"></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans"><A
href="http://www.hopeefc.com">www.hopeefc.com</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans"></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans">New subject: it is amazing to me that 15
publishers have turned down your brainstorming book. My first thought when
I read that was, "Damn, I wish I had a publishing company so I could get that
book!" Then the thought occurred to me, "Maybe this is an act of God;
preventing the book from being accepted until it was refined more than it had
been or until the right publisher was contacted." I am
confident God is refining and focussing you through all of
this.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans"></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans">One of the resources that is helping me is a book
entitled <EM>48 Days</EM> <EM>to the Work You Love</EM>. It's written
by Dan Miller, president of The Business Source, specializing in creative
thinking for personal and business background development, according to the back
cover. He's in Franklin, TN so maybe Ken knows him. Some of what you
describe in your job search sounds like what he recommends. It has
confirmed why I am feeling like my life sucks. My life does suck
and it's mostly on me for the choices I've made. I am making new choices
and this book is helping me ask the right questions. Along with church
opportunities I am looking at colleges for teaching and campus pastor
openings. My 15 year old wants me to be her youth pastor. At least
that's what she says and since she didn't immediately follow that up with any
requests it might be the truth.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans"></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans">I was very interested to read that
you missed being part of a team that works on projects from beginning
to end, seeing the development of the project and the people on the team.
I can see that in you. I'm glad you are looking for opportunities that fit
some of your passions that did not have a consistent outlet. I'm in the
same process but not as far along as you are.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans"></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans">What is an A,B,B,B,C list? Sounds like
something that might help me. I often feel like I'm running from project
to project and neglecting important things that need to be done. Some
greater focus and priority sounds like what I need.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans"></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans">I'm praying for you, the rent money, the books,
the job search and life changes. Have a great day.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans"></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans">Looking forward to seeing what
happens,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans"></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans">Rodney Price</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans">Canton, Ohio (for now)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans"></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Sans">P.S. I just had another thought.
(That's three thoughts before 9 am. It's going to be a good
day!) The guy who wrote <EM>48 Days to the Work You Love</EM> also has a
non-traditional web publishing business and a non-traditional distribution
business for hard copy books. It might be worth taking a look at what he
can offer you. His web site is <A
href="http://www.48days.com">www.48days.com</A> </FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>