Late one night, Pastor Bill was driving home after spending the past 23 hours in the hospital with his wife, celebrating the birth of their son. It had been a glorious day. His wife was peacefully resting. His extended family was ecstatic. His son was healthy. Surely God was in heaven and all was right with the world.

As he drove through the city streets, Pastor Bill began to think about all the plans he had to increase parish worship attendance and multiply its Sunday offerings. He reflected upon the recent workshop where he learned new techniques for congregational success. In his mind's eye, Pastor Bill began to visualize a brand-new sanctuary and family-life center for his people. As he was formulating a newspaper article commemorating this marvelous achievement — wham — Pastor Bill's…