STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS, CONT’D

• Know that others may have a deep and irrational appreciation for the Bad Guy. He baptized the ankle-biters, married people, commiserated when they got divorced, and buried granddad. And he sits at the heart of their faith. So you face an uphill battle.

• Relatedly, the old saying, “If it’s inconceivable, it’s imperceivable,” is wicked true. You may have 1000 pages of written documentation that the Bad Guy plundered and looted all of Europe, then lied about it in writing, under oath, but there will still be dolts and dullards who say, “But he didn’t DO ANYTHING.” It’s not fair, but that’s how people roll.

• Consider getting pastoral support before you plunge in. Maybe an ELCA pastor, the friendly rabbi down the street, or a licensed pastoral care provider. A badly handled Title IV complaint can be devastating.