SynopsisEvery church has them--sincere, well-meaning Christians who leave ulcers, strained relationships, and hard feelings in their wake. They don't intend to be difficult; they don't consciously plot destruction or breed discontent among the members. But they often do undermine the ministry of the church and make pastors question their calling.Well-Intentioned Dragons guides those on church staffs in facing the strenuous task of dealing with difficult people--even ministering while under attack. Based on real-life stories of battle-scarred veterans, Marshall Shelley presents a clear picture of God's love for those on both sides of the problem. He describes tested strategies to communicate that love and turn dissidents into disciples.Here is a book that will not only help pastors and church leaders preserve their sanity (and maybe their jobs); it will help them minister more effectively, even to those who make life difficult.
Anyone who's been a pastor for five minutes has met a well intentioned dragon. Most of the time they mean well, they just can't help being abrasive, judgemental, mean, or condemning. This valuable book pulls together the experiences of pastors dealing with dragons. It also provides some strategies for dealing with them. My wife read it to me while I drove on a long cross-state trip. It was compelling, easy to read, and full of on-the-mark observations.
Brilliantly poignant and thoroughly compelling reading, for ALL clergy! I found myself identifying dragons from my own past charges, and shaking my head in sorrowful solidarity with the injured clerical parties. I only wish I'd known about this book much earlier in my career!