Ministering to Problem People in Your Church What to Do With Well-Intentioned Dragons by Marshall Shelley

I have always heard that the devil likes to hide behind the Cross. Think about it, the best way to destroy something is from the inside, like the Trojan Horse. This book gives real life reverences to events that have happened in churches of many different denominations to show how some well meaning folks are dragons; some just don't know it. The key seems to be the smooth talking yet forked tongue of the dragon. The author gives some practical advice for how to handle these dragons when one rears its head in a church. I gave this book 5 stars because I think people going into the ministry should have this book as required reading in college. It is shocking and painful and hurt feeling will flood over you as you turn the pages; but its pages that need to be turned by anyone who thinks they might want to be a minister. This book explains the reasons why a minister can tire so easily because if a person going into the field does not see the dragons coming, it can really catch a preacher off balance and off guard. Half the battle is seeing them coming. The author goes over several techniques that others have successfully used to control the dragons; the key is the well intended- most dragons just think they are helping their church. They are trying to be good and zestful seekers - but they are actually dragons without knowing it so they need to be steered in the right direction for their own good and the good of the church. Many people have been in the same spot that many of the people in this book have been in - finding themselves in a church that is dissolving and breaking down because someone wants to take over or be in control of the church. it is important to help these dragons see that only God controls the church and its direction and these dragons can be returned to normal people - they don not have to stay dragons if the minister handles the situation well. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for writing a review. I think it is a good read, well worth the time for anyone thinking about going into the ministry.