Great ministers don't just happen.Great falls from ministry don't just happen either. A complex mix of factors both internal and external test the limits of your ability to minister wholeheartedly over the long haul.Senior pastor Brad Hoffmann andlicensed professional counselor Michael Todd Wilson work with pastors removed from their place of service. The common experiences of these pastors revealed patterns that consistently contributed to burnout, ineffectiveness and moral failure. If suchpatterns can be predicted, the authors reasoned, can they be prevented?Preventing Ministry Failure is a personal guidebook for pastors and other caregivers to prepare them to withstand common pressures and to flourish in the ministry God has called them to. Work through the exercises and reflections individually or in conversation with your peers, and you'll find yourself better equipped for the challenges of vocational ministry, and more conscious of the presence of God leading you on and restoring your soul.



Brad Hoffmann (D.Min., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary) is pastor of Cool Spring Baptist Church in Mechanicsville, Virginia, and cofounder of ShepherdCare.







Michael Todd Wilson is a licensed professional counselor and board-certified coach with Intentional Hearts, offering specialized coaching to Christian men in the recovery and pursuit of sexual integrity. He is also director of ShepherdCare, equipping Christian leaders for health and long-term effectiveness in ministry. He is the coauthor of Soul Virgins: Redefining Single Sexuality (Sexual Wholeness Resources) and Preventing Ministry Failure.



Introduction: Why Practicing Shepherdcare Is So Important

Foundation Stone 1: Intimacy: Connecting to the Heart of Successful Pastoring

Foundation Stone 2: Calling: Having the Power for Effectiveness in Ministry

Foundation Stone 3:Stress Management: Avoiding Ineffectiveness in Ministry

Foundation Stone 4: Boundaries: Protecting What Matters Most

Foundation Stone 5: Re-Creation: Necessary Fuel for Effective Long-Term Ministry

Foundation Stone 6: People Skills: Managing Your Church's Most Valuable Resource

Foundation Stone 7: Leadership Skills