Andrew
McGarry
THEY may have God on their side, but some clergy still suffer the scourge of many
earthly beings - stress. Anthony
Cumming, an Anglican clergyman and psychologist, has done a stress study of his
brethren as part of his PhD at Adelaide's Flinders University.
The study of more than 90 clergy found about 25 Per cent of those interviewed had a
stress profile of serious clinical concern, including significantly higher levels of anxiety,
depression, worry and anger-hostility.
Dr Cumming said his research showed the stressed clergy had personalities consistent with neuroticism
which meant instead of shrugging off negative events, they took them personally. |
However, this did not mean
those affected were "difficult clergy" who should be weeded out, he said.
"It doesn't mean these people can't do their job - they are sensitive and they might
make extremely good priests," Dr Cumming said. "They may be aware of their vulnerability, but just not know what to
do about it."
He identified six areas where the church could help the affected clergy, including
providing psychological counselling and training in stress reduction techniques.
Part of the problem was the fact that unlike other professions, clergy were on call almost
all the time.
"The worst thing you can do as a
priest if you want to relax is tell someone you're a priest," Dr Cumming said. |
"It's an open
invitation to someone to tell you their problems." The dean of St Peter's Cathedral in Adelaide, Steven Ogden, said part of
the problem was the difference in approach between more traditional clergy and newer
priests.
Older clergy might find it difficult, even shameful, to admit they were stressed or
depressed and needed help.
"We've been on a perfection trip for the past 2000 years and it just doesn't
work," Reverend Ogden said.
"Now the clergy have to be accepting of their own humanity, and give themselves
permission to say 'I'm struggling'." |
I don't know about you but after fifteen years of reading,
meditating in and believing the word of God/holy bible I have not encountered the word .. stress
.. within the scriptures. This tells us that Anthony Cumming the Anglican
clergy/psychologist is on a wild goose chase.
The devil satan, relishes in sending people of the earth off on wild goose chases, the
holy bible calls him/satan .. the deceiver/liar.
It is my firm belief that Mr Cummings is on a wild goose chase and what he needs to do is
go a little deeper into the problem he is attempting to solve and the deeper place is
.. the holy bible...
The holy bible holds all the answers for every problem in the universe if we
would only care to take the time to search the scriptures. As I initially said .. the word
stress is not in the holy bible hence it is not a stress problem that men and women face
it is much heavier than that, I believe it is an .. oppression problem ... let us
read..
- FOR WE DO NOT WRESTLE AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD BUT AGAINST
PRINCIPALITIES, AGAINST POWERS AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS AGE, AGAINST
SPIRITUAL HOSTS OF WICKEDNESS IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES .. EPHESIANS 6:12.
Going by the scripture we just read, all peoples on the
planet earth are fighting continuously day after day with evil spirits of the air sent out
by the devil/satan/the fallen angel who was once known as Lucifer.. the most beautiful of
all the cherubs.
Mr Cumming makes mention also of other problems facing men and women in the churches and
the world today such as .. anxiety, depression, worry and anger/hostility. Once again all
of these problems may be dealt with in the same .. simple way .. as the so called
stress problem, submitting ones self to the power over all things seen and unseen .. Jesus
the Christ.
- AND WHAT IS THE EXCEEDING GREATNESS OF HIS POWER TOWARD US WHO
BELIEVE, ACCORDING TO THE WORKING OF HIS MIGHTY POWER .. WHICH HE WORKED IN CHRIST WHEN HE
RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD AND SEATED HIM AT HIS RIGHT HAND IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES .. FAR
ABOVE ALL PRINCIPALITY AND POWER AND MIGHT AND DOMINION AND EVERY NAME THAT IS NAMED NOT
ONLY IN THIS AGE BUT ALSO IN THAT WHICH IS TO COME .. EPHESIANS 1:19-21
Therefore I submit to you that there is no such thing as stress in
Gods language, however there is .. oppression .. which is sent out by the evil
one, satan..
"how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy sprit and
with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were .. oppressed by the devil
for God was with Him".. Acts 10:38.
I have heard most church leaders today talking in much the
same way as this anglican clergy/psychologist and then they wonder why they are struggling
in their work as ministers. It is all because they didn't do what Jesus the Christ said to
do follow Me!.. do as I do, think as I think, cast all your cares upon Me says
the Lord.. Mark 8:34-38 * 1 Peter 4:11 * Philippians 2:5 * 1 Peter 5:7 * Isaiah 26:3 *
Psalm 23.
It sounds to me that Mr Cumming is not born again .. it is no different for anyone else.
If you are not born again and live a submitted life to the Christ you will suffer the
oppression of the devil satan and all he satan has to dish up till the day you die and go
to the fire of hell.. Luke 4:18.
After fifteen years of ministry without the support of a denomination, fellow clergy to
prop me up, without a salary, without the applauses of men and women from religious
organizations, I have stood and stand today .. by His Grace, amen!
My only advice to Mr Cumming is .. get yourself born again, take your psychology and put
it in the cylindrical filing cabinet/rubbish tin, follow the instructions of the Lamb of
God/Jesus the Christ and you will do valiantly.
References: Daniel 11:32 * Psalm 60:11,12 * Revelation 12:11 * 1
John 5:4.
Stress is the nice worldly way for the world to say and the lukewarm, compromising
churches .. the devil satan, the god of this world is trying to harass you. If you go to a
church that uses the words.. positive, negative, stress, self esteem, revival, revival,
revival, prosperity, don't judge, you are in sin if you are sick and cursed if you don't
give one tenth of your wages to their church .. get out of there as fast as you can and
before you leave wipe the dust off your feet against them.. amen!
References: 1 Peter 4:11 * Luke 16:14,15 * 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 * Philippians 2 25-27
* Matthew 24:36-44 * 2 Corinthians 9:6,7 * Matthew 10:32-42.
FINAL COMMENT:
MY COUNSEL TO ALL PEOPLES, NATIONS, TRIBES OF THE EARTH IS THIS..
FOLLOW JESUS, COME WHAT MAY AND YOU WILL FALL IN LOVE WITH HIM OVER AND OVER AND OVER, DAY
BY DAY AND YOU WILL LIVE AND RULE AND REIGN WITH HIM IN HIS KINGDOM FOREVER AND FOREVER
AMEN... REVELATION 3:7-13.
Amen.
| P.S. MINISTERS
THAT TALK ABOUT STRESS, POSITIVE, NEGATIVE, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, SELF ESTEEM AND NATIONS
BEING CONVERTED TO JESUS CHRIST BEFORE THE .. RAPTURE/UPWARD CALL, ARE NO DOUBT IMMATURE
IN THE FAITH AND CAN ONLY SEND YOU AROUND IN CIRCLES.. LIKE A DOG CHASING ITS TAIL ..
SELAH! |
Pastor Paul Sheehan
18.02.2002
CLICK...........CLICK
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