YOU LIFT ME UP Overcoming Ministry Challenges

It happens little by little. . . Even in the context of a very faithful ministry, a pastor may be at risk of a gradual-but ultimately debilitating-downfall. Al Martin speaks from years of experience as he guides pastors to identify warning signs of dangerous paths: * Backsliding-a spiritual decline manifested first in the prayer closet. * Burnout-erosion of one's mental, emotional, psychological, and physical resiliency and buoyancy. * Washout-the loss of credibility among the people. Satan attacks a pastor in various ways. Sometimes he tempts him to gross and scandalous sins. However, sometimes the devil sneaks in quietly. He distracts us from what is most important. He twists one good activity into an excuse to neglect another duty. He subtly appeals to our pride to make us act as if we have no needs or limitations. Al Martin's book exposes these dangers, and is eminently helpful to preserve a pastor for long-term service to the glory of God. I heartily recommend it for men aspiring to ministry, for men in ministry, and for all those who love them. Joel R. Beeke ~ President and Professor of Systematic Theology and Homiletics, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan