Well, this explains a lot…
ICS – Irratible Clergy Syndrome – That nice young preacher spends a couple of years in what should be an idyllic setting only to become cranky and miserable. Why? Well, now you have your answer. I think the reality is far greater than the study indicates, the reporter writes:
Dr Savage says one of the problems is that churches are hierarchical systems, with all the attendant echoes of feudal society. Thus they elicit bad behaviour such as status seeking, fawning, bullying, passivity, blaming others and gossiping.
The one thing I have to say is, Church isn’t supposed to be hierarchical – we make it that way. The other issues are sins, which isn’t surprising as we’re all sinful, maybe the secret to fixing some of this is to call a spade a spade, instead of hiding it in jargon. Anyway, the article makes a good point, but I can only pray that the anglicans (as well as the whole church) can figure out the most kingdom-centered way to deal with it.