The Franciscos: An Error in Judgment
When after four years Jeff Francisco began to think about leaving Hooper, Nebraska, he knew any transition would have its perils. Linda was getting along well now, her middle-of-the-night emotional crash not much more than a memory (see chapter 2). She had stabilized to the point of feeling comfortable in this little town. If she had to get used to a new setting, would terror strike all over again?
A young couple in the church said to Jeff one day, "You know, you've taught us so much about being open and caring for one another. But if the time should ever come that you leave our church, we'll probably leave too."
Jeff and Linda talked a lot about that remark. It symbolized their hunch that this congregation, given its rural traditionalism, would probably never move fully into the deep ministry to one another that was so central to their idea of Christianity. People were attracted to the two of them personally, but the concept wasn't sticking. Would another ten years make it stick? Probably not.
Jeff put his name in the denominational hopper, and soon inquiries began to come. He finally candidated at a church in Branford, Connecticut, that already had small groups going. This would mean returning to beloved New England, and although Branford was a small town on Long Island Sound, it was less than a dozen miles from all the culture of New Haven.
The church had a parsonage but did not insist the Franciscos use it. If they wanted a housing allowance to buy their own home, the parsonage could be sold. Any arrangement was fine with the board.
Jeff and Linda, while on their candidating visit, drove by the parsonage one gray, rainy afternoon. A car was in the driveway (a member was doing repairs) so they stopped for an impromptu tour ...
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