The Elephant in the Room

Elephant in the Board Room?

“The elephant in the room” is an English metaphorical idiom for an obvious truth that is being ignored or goes unaddressed. The idiomatic expression also applies to an obvious problem or risk no one wants to discuss.

Ministry couples are “the elephants in the room”. Peter Drucker says, “The four hardest jobs in America (not necessarily in order) are: President of the United States, a university president, a hospital CEO, and a pastor.”

Many governing boards of churches and Christian organizations have an “elephant in the room”. Statistics show that the risks to these ministry couples are overwhelming. Many are dangerously close to burnout and their marriages are in peril. The media loves to print the “juicy stories” when a Christian leader falls. The impact on the organization is devastating. In some cases it can be the demise of the organization. The economic loss is often times enormous, but the biggest loss is to the Kingdom.

Standing Stone Ministry is addressing “the elephant in the room” in two ways. First, by bringing awareness to the board rooms that their leaders, as well as their spouses, may be in danger and that they need to be nurtured and supported. Second, by offering the ministry couples a mentoring relationship that begins with a Standing Stone retreat.