Ron Susek is an ordained minister with the North American Baptist Conference. He has pastored three churches and is now director of the Susek Evangelistic Association in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Susek speaks extensively around the world and is the author of Seeing Is Not Believing and You Can Handle Stress.

Practical suggestions on how to avoid and overcome the destructive interpersonal conflicts many churches have experienced with leaders, members, and pastors.

Susek, Ron

COVER

ENDORSEMENTS

TITLE PAGE

COPYRIGHT PAGE

DEDICATION

FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION

PART 1: LIFE CYCLE OF A FIRESTORM

1: PHASE 1: SPARKS

2: PHASE 2: SPARKS IGNITING A FIRESTORM

3: PHASE 3: FIRESTORM IN FULL FURY

4: PHASE 4: CONSUMING WINDS

5: PHASE 5: THE FINAL BURN

6: PHASE 6: REBUILDING ON BURNT TIMBERS

PART 2: CAUSES OF A FIRESTORM

7: TRIM: THE PASTOR'S FOUR PILLARS OF STRENGTH

8: SOCIAL PYROMANIAC MADNESS: UNDERSTANDING FAMILY AND PSYCHO-SOCIAL NEEDS

9: IDENTIFYING COMMON CAUSES

10: FIRE FROM THE ABYSS

11: FIRE FROM ON HIGH

PART 3: FIGHTING A FIRESTORM

12: FIGHTING FIRE WITH FIRE: ACTIONS THE BOARD CAN TAKE

13: BOLD SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP: ACTIONS THE PASTOR CAN TAKE

14: HOW FOLLOWERS CAN LEAD: ACTIONS THE CHURCH CAN TAKE

15: STOPPING THE HOT WIND FROM HELL

16: FIRESTORM CONSULTANTS

PART 4: OUT OF THE ASHES

17: ASSESSING THE DAMAGE

18: THE CHURCH'S RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PASTOR

19: CARE FOR BADLY BURNED PASTORS

20: SELF-HELP FOR BADLY BURNED PASTORS: GUARDING YOUR HEART

21: SELF-HELP FOR BADLY BURNED PASTORS: REBUILDING

22: CARE FOR BADLY BURNED CHURCHES

23: THE INTENTIONAL INTERIM PASTOR

24: COMING FORTH AS GOLD

APPENDIX: A PLAN OF ACTION GUIDE

NOTES

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

MY DEBT OF LOVE

BACK COVER

Shows how to avoid and overcome destructive interpersonal conflicts which many churches have experienced with members, officers, and pastors.

According to one survey, as many as one third of all congregations have suffered conflicts severe enough to result in the firing or forced resignation of one or more of their pastors. Ron Susek, who has firsthand experience of the lasting effects of church controversy and has ministered to churches in turmoil, offers a detailed portrait of how events can often spiral out of control--not unlike the flames of a wildfire. Firestorm describes the six successive phases through which conflicts generally pass. In each phase, Susek identifies the tensions that tend to develop, explains how they are compounded if left unresolved, and offers practical, spiritual guidance for pastors and congregational leaders. The book also explains the spiritual, social, and psychological causes of conflict; the most appropriate means for dealing with controversy in its various stages; and what can be done in the firestorm's aftermath to restore faith and hope. A detailed plan of action is included. From the Introduction: If you think that God fell into good fortune the day you committed your wonderful leadership skills to his work and that the two of you are building a masterpiece of a church that will stand until the Lord returns, then don't bother reading this book. Enjoy your illusion while it lasts. If, on the other hand, you have been in the ministry long enough to know that your church could blow into a firestorm of conflict despite your best efforts and that it demands a constant vigil to keep the temperature set at spiritually warm, not destructively hot, then this book may be of some assistance.

Firestorm [eBook]

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Firestorm [eBook]

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Practical suggestions on how to avoid and overcome the destructive interpersonal conflicts many churches have experienced with leaders, members, and pastors.

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