Straining at the Oars: Case Studies in Pastoral Leadership

A common complaint of recent seminary graduates is their lack of preparation in practical theology, especially in the tasks of leadership. New pastors encounter a host of challenges that can seem overwhelming. Biblically oriented, wise, and reassuring, Dana Fearon presents twenty-one diffi cult situations that young ministers are likely to face on the job, including prayer in the hospital room, a request to baptize a dead infant, handling confl ict and criticism, entering dangerous areas to reconcile hostile groups, and others. As part of his discussion, Fearon presents and reviews his own response to such situations, using his theological education and long experience in church ministry to instruct others.