Congreations Gone Wild-NY Times articles

This is an interesting article from today's NY Times...about clergy's calling vs. congregation's expectations related to sermons and preaching.  
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/08/opinion/08macdonald.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

In the article, Jeffery MacDonald says, "In this transformation, clergy have seen their job descriptions rewritten. They’re no longer expected to offer moral counsel in pastoral care sessions or to deliver sermons that make the comfortable uneasy. Church leaders who continue such ministerial traditions pay dearly."

What do you think?  [Comment below...]

I know for me, in Seminary we were taught a few "slogans" related to preaching.
Examples:
"Preach with the newspaper in one hand and the Bible in the other."
"The Gospel comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable."
"Speak the Truth in Love."

[I know these are both famous quotes, but I don't know who they are attributed to.  (Sorry.)]

But... actually preaching in this manner is often more difficult to do in real life than in Seminary classes.  In my preaching classes, though we didn't all always agree, it was a safe space to speak the Truth in Love.  But in a congregation, preaching is different.  When you know people and know the things they are going through, it does make it easier at times, because I can sometimes see how maybe the words I have been given to speak can bring comfort to difficult situations.  But at the same time, it's difficult to follow what we were taught in Seminary, because it often gets us in trouble.  The Gospel's message is so radical, so inclusive, so pushing of social and political norms of the time (and of our times as well).  It got many in trouble by sharing it, including Jesus himself. 

As the article talks about, I understand how pushing the limits of what people are comfortable with becomes so very tiring and difficult at times. 

I also came across this article as well this past week.  It's also very true. So many clergy are tired, burned our, and/or unhealthy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/02/nyregion/02burnout.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp
Self-care, de-stressing, and taking care of ourselves was really emphasized in Seminary.  But putting that to practice is tough.  Days off, yoga, reading, watching TV, spending time with family and friends--these are a few ways I try to take care of myself.  How do you feed your soul and fill your own well to take care of yourself?

What do you think of these articles?