“Jerry, we got quite a few calls from your church members,” said Bryce, chairman of the committee that handled problems with clergy, usually sex addictions or alcoholism. He had been present at the interview when Jerry first got hired.

Jerry studied Bryce in his office. He could have run for mayor. He had that caring demeanor and Ralph Lauren good looks that charms people into pulling the lever. Yet Jerry knew he cut corners without losing sleep to resolve matters.

“You may not believe this, but they’re clamoring for you. They loved your honesty. I think you pushed a button. Faith is not an easy road. A lot of people have trouble with it; a lot of people fake it. If you can help them find something real, get them some of that God meat, — Ooh boy, did you really say that? — they’re hungry to hear about it.”

Jerry sat erect in an office chair and listened. Of course he pined to come back, but just not yet. It was way too soon.

“Look, here’s my offer,” Bryce continued, “Attend a ten-day workshop on Jesus then come back. A little hiatus.”

Jerry opened his mouth to speak.

Bryce put up his hand. “Now, before you get insulted, let me explain. This is not some remedial class. This is a place for you to go huntin’. It’s a ten-day exploration called Who I Am I Must Become.

“The location is Four Springs up in Napa Valley. Three women run it. One’s a poet, another’s an artist and the third is a Jungian therapist. They approach Jesus from a Jungian perspective, seeing him as an archetypal fully realized individual, someone who balanced the opposites, the light and the dark, the masculine and the feminine. A human mandala, if you will. They guide you to the authentic Jesus. And this is not some come-to-Jesus, drum pounding alter call.  Their tools are the Socratic method of instruction, the Synoptic Gospels and stimulating right brain activity through art, music and creative writing.

“Did you use the Synoptic Gospels in seminary?”

“Nope, never heard of it.”

“The Synoptic Gospels place the four Gospel stories side by side in four columns so the reader can see which passages repeat in the different Gospels. It’s a tool for identifying the historical Jesus.

“How about the Socratic method?”

“No clue.”

“It’s how Socrates taught in ancient Greece. He asked questions. His students answered. There was no lecture. Anyone in the group could answer, but there was no crosstalk.”

“Crosstalk?”

“You can’t comment on another person’s response.”

Bryce continued, “I attended one of these and found it powerful. I think it will help you. At the very least it’s a ten day, paid vacation in Napa Valley. You get out of Dodge, let things cool down, you come back. What’s not to like?” he said with a wink.

Jerry stared at Bryce, transfixed. He really should run for mayor.

“You’re different, Jerry, but that’s what the church needs right now. It’s no secret we’re losing the flock. I believe you have the potential of bringing them back.”

Jerry stood up. “I’m in.”