The antagonist. That title doesn’t bode well for me. I understand it’s a literary term, but after reading the interviews from Corey and Taylor, you must think it fits. I suppose, in some ways, it does.
I’m Paul Schaffer—Pastor Paul to my congregants—Corey’s husband and father to Taylor and Michael. There was a time I saw my position as a calling, but lately, not so much. When did I go from serving God’s people to juggling their expectations of what a pastor should be? When Corey and I married eighteen years ago, I swore I’d keep my priorities straight—God first, family second, career third. But the lines have been blurred for so long, they’re almost non-existent, which means I’m failing all the way around.
As Corey already told you, we met at Wheaton College. I grew up in Northern California and thought going out of state to college would be my first (and last) big adventure. Fatherhood taught me that every day is an adventure, and when those priorities get blurred, it’s not always the good kind. But that’s something you’ll learn when you read Illusions. I’m supposed to share some of the behind the scenes background information.
I have one sister (Justine) who’s three years younger than me. Our mother died when I was thirteen, and Dad might as well have. He bordered on workaholism (and alcoholism) before Mom passed, but after she was gone, he was home as little as possible. The more he worked, the more he drank. Being the big brother (with a God complex, I will confess), my experience with parenting started much too young. Justine and I are close now, but I think her decision to move to Boston was motivated by her desire to get as far away from me as possible.
After reading this, you probably won’t be surprised to know that Michael and I are at odds with each other. I could put all the blame on him, but that would make me more of a hypocrite than he already thinks I am. I’m not too proud to admit that I wish I didn’t censure everything he does through the eyes of my congregation. I don’t want to be that person. Those blurred lines, you know. He’s angry, and I don’t know why. Instead of telling me, he uses attitude and innuendoes. I’ve got enough to worry about, though, without asking for more trouble.
So, what’s a pastor to do when his family isn’t thriving? Corey’s unhappy with the thankless job of being a pastor’s wife and Michael’s gone from being a great kid to a wanna-be juvenile delinquent. I’m more concerned about building up church numbers than building up church souls, and I know God will allow it for only so long before He steps in. Taylor’s the only one who seems untouched by it all. I’m grateful for that at least.
Illusions is now available for pre-order. The ebook is only .99 until the paperback becomes available on April 28th. If you pre-order the ebook, you will also receive the novelette Gilded Cage, a prequel to Illusions, as a pre-order gift. If you prefer to have the paperback copy, Gilded Cage will be included with it. Once you pre-order the ebook, be sure to fill out the necessary form to receive your pre-order gift.
