THE PERSON WHO HAS EVERYTHINGy Forge, PA 19482-085No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrievallitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,)rding, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyrightbrief quotations included in a review of the book.Ldicated, Bible quotations in this volume are in accordance with theVersion of the Bible, copyrighted 1952 and 1971 by the Division of,n of the National Council 6f the Churches of Christ in the Unitedand are used by permission.ss Cataloging in Publication Datae person who has everythingXMethodis248'.48'7)rs. I. Title16270N PRESS is registered as a trademark in the U.S. Patent OfficePreface Protestant theology and preaching have an easier time withthe person in the gutter than with the person at the top. We followMartin Luther who followed Saint Augustine in thinking that thechief sins are human pride and self-assertiveness. An admission ofutter helplessness and total wretchedness is usually considered to bethe first necessary step on the road to salvation. Our gospel seems tailored to fit only the downcast, the outcast, thebrokenhearted, and the miserable. We think we do an adequate job ofcomforting the sad and uplifting the depressed. But what do we say tothe strong, the mature, the joyous persons in our midst? In my role as a parish pastor, I frequently meet men and womenwho, from all which I can observe, are happy and fulfilled humanbeings. Some of them are rich; some are poor. Some of them arepowerful leaders in business or a profession, and some fulfill theircallings in more unassuming roles. These people of whom I speakshare the common characteristics of maturity and personal strength.They seem to be the kind of integrated, resourceful, balanced peoplewhom most churches I know need so desperately. And yet, it has been my experience that these are the very peoplewho do not relate well to the church. They seem to find theirfulfillment, their challenges, their support elsewhere. What pastorhas not coveted people like these for his or her congregation? Theycould be the dynamic leaders, the inspiring teachers, the supportive,caring persons whom every congregation needs. But who can blamethem for, in effect, saying to the church, "Thanks but no thanks. I can