PASTORAL LEADERSHIP: LIMITS AND ACCOUNTABILITY
In the early 19th century Napoleon had spread his influence throughout Europe, including Holland. Many of the Dutch, however, retained their loyalty to the House of Orange, including Gerrit ten Boom, the great- grandfather of Corrie ten Boom. The following is the account from the opening of Carole C. Carlson’s biography, Corrie Ten Boom: Her Life, Her Faith (Revell, 1983). Gerrit was not a man to become easily upset. He was a deacon in his church, a man of prayer, and a staunch Dutch Calvinist. As chief gardener of one of the richest estates of Heemstede, he was a master craftsman in a respected occupation. However, he personally struggled against the spiritual coldness in his church, and on one particular Sunday the minister had gone too far! He not only altered the Bible to suit his own particular philosophy, but he also had some very appreciative words to say about Napoleon. When church was over, Gerrit offered to drive…
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