It happens little by little... Even in the context of a very active and faithful ministry, a pastor may be at risk of a gradual but ultimately debilitating downfall. Trusted pastor Al Martin speaks from years of experience as he guides pastors to identify warning signs of dangerous paths: Backsliding - a spiritual declension 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. With sympathetic counsel, Martin probes into the life of the minister, addressing symptoms, causes, and cures for these conditions. For some, these pages may prove corrective and restorative. For others, they may prove preventive. If God uses these pages to wound you, Martin counsels, "It has been in order to show himself to you as a gracious God who delights to heal you."
