What would you do?
A pastor enters into the ministry with a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder, but doesn't reveal the diagnosis to the committee who hired him. (As a matter of fact, he actually disposed of the part of his medical review that covered his mental condition). He has been in the ministry nearly 12 years, after working in manufacturing management for nearly 25 years.
In the past, when his illness would "act up", he would make excuses for his behavior. Since his strange behavior was becoming more common place, he was known as a bit excentric. He figured that was better than letting people know. Success in his position was based on trust and good advice, and knowledge of this illness might jeopardize the faith people had in him. Although his disability was covered under ADA, he knew that, if they really wanted to, they could come up with another valid reason to terminate his employment.
However, lately his diagnosis is becoming more noticable, and the reasons and excuses he previously used are becoming less and less effective. Also, he feels he is doing the mental health community a real disservice by not "comin out", and proving that a person with a Bipolar diagnosis can function successfully in a position of responsibility.
He really doesn't know what to do. Do you have any advice for him?
chastising others when they express an opinion, or think outside the box, in an
...but that is irrelevant...
No advice but
what are the views of his church committee and his congregation for which he leads in regards to "mental health"? Are they of the realistic truth in that MH is a bio-chemical inbalance or is it the "other" truth that those with MH are deficient and/or demon possessed?
He'll need to decide if he is to become the martyr of the mentally ill (by coming "out") or the hero. Unfortunately, there is still a whole lot of stigmatism and you can't change folks's views overnight.
His job and livelihood are on the line but the real person for whom he works for (not the church or committee) and is accountable to will accept him and love him just the same irregardless of the outcome of his decision.
Tabby,
Thanks for the comments. The church (as a group of people) is a complicated entity. It functions under an entirely different set of rules, which are the same and, at the same time, different, than society as a whole. This is the scenario if a person in a leadership position were to "come out":
It would come out at a board meeting, and everyone would be sympathetic and understanding. But as the word spread, and more and more people became aware, the tides would turn. (The main problem in a church environment is that people want to live "secular-christian" lives. They want to have the world and God at the same time, and in the same way.) So once word got out, the people would respond in this manner:
"Oh, that is too bad, and we feel real sorry for him, but how can he be our pastor? What happens when he "goes off"(?) or has one of his "fits"(?) How can we continue to trust his decisions and leadership? When he makes a mistake, how will we know if it is an honest mistake or due to his "condition"?
This is a "lose,l lose, lose" situation: I lose a job, they lose a pastor, and they succomb to the MI stigma. Nothing positive comes of "coming out" and nobody learns a lesson. (Except for the pastor, who has learned his/her lesson a little too late)
Tabby, trust me when I say that I have NO desire to be a martyr or hero. I simply want to do what is for the better good. That's all.
Thanks again,
WCS