Marshall Shelly, Well-Intentioned Dragons: Ministering to Problem People in the Church. Bethany House Publishers, 1994.
Referenced in: Church Conflict – Criticism, Difficult People, Difficult Conversations
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
Originally published in 1985, this was one of the first, and still one of the more helpful volumes on this subject. With plenty of instructive case studies and illustrations, this book will ring true with every church leader’s experience. He surveys the various kinds of “dragons” such as bird dog, wetblanket, entrepreneur, Captain Bluster, fickle financier, busybody, sniper, bookkeeper, merchant of muck, and legalist. He discusses their tactics, and the ways to handle them. I like the tone of the book, that “the goal in handling dragons is not to destroy them, not merely to disassociate, but to make them disciples. Even when that seems an unlikely prospect” (p. 34).
From the Publisher
Every 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.
About the Author
Marshall Shelley is a vice president of Christianity Today, Inc. He is also the author of several books including Well-Intentioned Dragons and Helping Those Who Don’t Want to Be Helped. He holds a journalism degree from Bethel College in Minnesota and a M.Div. from Denver Seminary in Colorado. Marshall and his family live in Illinois.
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