Ministry is messy business. As a pastor or church leader, you interact regularly with people struggling with depression, sexual harassment, pornography, divorce, the effects of abortion, and other serious issues. You are called upon to work through these crises, but may feel very unequipped to do so.

In this collection of fifteen case studies, Kenneth Swetland prepares church leaders to deal with the messy stuff head on, rather than merely doing damage control after the problems have erupted. Each chapter presents a real-life crisis and leads the reader to work through careful biblical responses to it. Included are discussion questions for each case study, an appendix for discussion facilitators, and a bibliography of additional resources on the particular issues raised.

Kenneth L. Swetland (D.Min., Andover Newton Theological School) has been academic dean and professor of pastoral ministry at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary for more than thirty-two years, and is now Campus Chaplain. He is the author of The Hidden World of the Pastor: Case Studies on Personal Issues of Real Pastors.