Prior to entering vocational ministry, I was a broadcast journalist for Voice of America. As such, I had the opportunity to report the travels of former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. During attempts to work out an enduring peace in the Middle East, Kissinger regularly met with government officials of various Middle Eastern states who distrusted each other. American intelligence reports provided U.S. officials with a relatively objective understanding of the strategic positions of each side in the Arab-Israeli dispute. Thus, in an attempt to bring about a peace accord, Kissinger would regularly tell each side of his personal confidence that none of the parties was eager for further conflict.
Most pastors are on the inside of congregational life.
Generally, they understand how things really are regarding life in the church. But that does not mean that everyone in the congregation sees things the same way. The way things seem to be will usually be believed before reality is believed. To doubt this is to invite ministry disaster. In plain language, this law means that a fist-fight in my neighbor's family is to me a more important news item than 5,000 persons killed in a flood 10,000 miles away.