An Autobiography in Five Short Chapters
Author Unknown

Chapter 1      I walk down the street.
There is a hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost and I am hopeless.
It is not my fault.

Chapter 2      I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I do not see it.
I fall in again.
I cannot believe I am in the same place.
It is not my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter 3     I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it there.
I still fall in – it is a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out quickly.

Chapter 4     I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter 5     I walk down a different street.

The Healthy Congregations Initiative of the Presbytery of Carlisle is designed to help your congregation’s leaders recognize critical issues and “walk down a different street” as necessary.

If you would like to talk about how the Presbytery is able to assist your congregation’s leaders or, if you have specific situational questions, please contact me directly.

Bill Beck