Practical advice on dealing with those people in the church you might rather not deal with. Shelley notes advice from many pastors using situations they have been in. Not surprisingly, the situations seemed all too familiar. The book related that reconciliation and growth can occur despite disagreements and personality conflicts. The encouragement of the book was that "it doesn't have to be that way," with practical ideas for solving the most difficult problems. ( )

Practical advice on dealing with those people in the church you might rather not deal with. Shelley notes advice from many pastors using situations they have been in. Not surprisingly, the situations seemed all too familiar. The book related that reconciliation and growth can occur despite disagreements and personality conflicts. The encouragement of the book was that "it doesn't have to be that way," with practical ideas for solving the most difficult problems. ( )

Recommended to me by my Bishop, this book has been a life-saver. Filled with practical wisdom on how to deal with difficult people and situations which arise in pastoral work, the book is a must read for pastors and their staff.

Two key things drawn from the book. First, "dragons" need ministry and cannot just be dismissed or written off. As Shelley points out, the goal is not to destroy the dragon it is to minister to them and the situations driving the conflict.

Second, sometimes it is the pastor's own behavior or lack thereof that can nurture a dragon into existence. I appreciate Shelley's very honest appraisal of the pastoral role in the conflict with difficult parishoners. Throughout the book, author calls the minister to exercise pastoral sensitivity and prayerful responses to the words and actions of dragons.

Again, an excellent read for every minister. I can't think of a pastor who would not identify with the many case studies Shelley uses throughout the book. ( )

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