Overview

A collection of fifteen case studies that give church leaders practical and realistic preparation to handle tough issues like sexual harassment, pornography, divorce, and the effects of abortion. The book includes discussion questions, an appendix for facilitating discussions, and a bibliography of additional resources.

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9780825436963

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Reviews

Every pastor and chaplain who deals with the complex problems of this 'anything-goes' 21st Century, will benefit from this book. It is also invaluable for every seminary student and new pastor who hasn't lived long enough to deal with many of life's messes on behalf of the God of mercy and grace. Even so, the messy stuff profiled in this book is enough to sober even the most seasoned of pastors. It is frank, raw, and instructive. At times, overwhelming. And these are all real cases in various denominational settings in various parts of the country. The challenging (as well as sensitive) messes dealt with in this excellent Kregel Publications release are dealt with forthrightly. -- Rev. Austin Miles Bishop-Accountability.org (05/01/2006)

Swetland, who teaches pastoral counseling at Gordon-Cromwell Seminary, has compiled real case studies��changing only people's and churches' names��to offer a candid look at thorny pastoral problems. His profiles don't offer solutions, but examine sin's skein-like messiness to show what church leadership faces and how pastors can take action. The problems are often more complicated than they appear. Issues range from the repeatedly repentant alcoholic to the mild-mannered sexual deviant who is an expert liar to the upstanding citizen and model church member who is an adulterer. . . . Recommend this book to pastors and Christian counselors who aren't looking for easy answers. -- (01/02/2005) Combining accessibility with scholarly depth, Jesus Under Fire examines the authenticity of the words, actions, miracles, and resurrection of Jesus and presents compelling evidence for the traditional biblical teachings. --Rick Warren's Ministry Toolbox (04/01/2005) Facing Messy Stuff lends itself to group studies. It would be well for local pastors' organizations to do this among themselves using Swetland's book as a text. In addition, this is a reference book that should always be near the pastor's fingertips. A noted chaplain who works in the San Francisco Bay area, Rev. Carson Curcini, after looking over the notes for this review, stated: This is a very important book for pastors...especially for this day and age that we live in. To that this minister can give a hearty Amen! Facing Messy Stuff in the Church should be in every pastor's and chaplain's library. -- (06/01/2005) Reading this book by Kenneth L. Swetland seemed a little like watching those daytime talk shows [`a la Dr. Phil, Oprah or The Jerry Springer Show]. Each chapter is a well-crafted presentation of some disturbing and [unfortunately] highly relevant case studies. -- (07/01/2005) These are the problems that are coming up with increased regularity in churches today in a world of chaos and confusion. And pastors and chaplains must be equipped to handle them spiritually, professionally, and most importantly of all--effectively. This book teaches how to deal with these problems -- as the author states [and teaches] -- head-on. -- (06/01/2005) Every pastor and chaplain who deals with the complex problems of this 'anything-goes' 21st Century, will benefit from this book. It is also invaluable for every seminary student and new pastor who hasn't lived long enough to deal with many of life's messes on behalf of the God of mercy and grace. Even so, the messy stuff profiled in this book is enough to sober even the most seasoned of pastors. It is frank, raw, and instructive. At times, overwhelming. And these are all real cases in various denominational settings in various parts of the country. The challenging (as well as sensitive) messes dealt with in this excellent Kregel Publications release are dealt with forthrightly.-- (05/01/2006)

Every pastor and chaplain who deals with the complex problems of this 'anything-goes' 21st Century, will benefit from this book. It is also invaluable for every seminary student and new pastor who hasn't lived long enough to deal with many of life's messes on behalf of the God of mercy and grace. Even so, the messy stuff profiled in this book is enough to sober even the most seasoned of pastors. It is frank, raw, and instructive. At times, overwhelming. And these are all real cases in various denominational settings in various parts of the country. The challenging (as well as sensitive) messes dealt with in this excellent Kregel Publications release are dealt with forthrightly.--Rev. Austin Miles-Bishop-Accountability.org- (05/01/2006)

""Combining accessibility with scholarly depth, Jesus Under Fire examines the authenticity of the words, actions, miracles, and resurrection of Jesus and presents compelling evidence for the traditional biblical teachings.""-- ""Rick Warren's Ministry Toolbox"" (4/1/2005 12:00:00 AM) ""Facing Messy Stuff lends itself to group studies. It would be well for local pastors' organizations to do this among themselves using Swetland's book as a text. In addition, this is a reference book that should always be near the pastor's fingertips. A noted chaplain who works in the San Francisco Bay area, Rev. Carson Curcini, after looking over the notes for this review, stated: """"This is a very important book for pastors...especially for this day and age that we live in."""" To that this minister can give a hearty """"Amen!"""" Facing Messy Stuff in the Church should be in every pastor's and chaplain's library.""--Rev. Austin Miles ""www.Churchquest.com"" (6/1/2005 12:00:00 AM) ""Reading this book by Kenneth L. Swetland seemed a little like watching those daytime talk shows [`a la Dr. Phil, Oprah or The Jerry Springer Show]. Each chapter is a well-crafted presentation of some disturbing and [unfortunately] highly relevant case studies.""-- ""Ministries Today"" (7/1/2005 12:00:00 AM) ""Swetland, who teaches pastoral counseling at Gordon-Cromwell Seminary, has compiled real case studies��changing only people's and churches' names��to offer a candid look at thorny pastoral problems. His profiles don't offer solutions, but examine sin's skein-like messiness to show what church leadership faces and how pastors can take action. The problems are often more complicated than they appear. Issues range from the repeatedly repentant alcoholic to the mild-mannered sexual deviant who is an expert liar to the upstanding citizen and model church member who is an adulterer. . . . Recommend this book to pastors and Christian counselors who aren't looking for easy answers.""--Gerry Wisz ""CBA Marketplace"" (1/2/2005 12:00:00 AM) ""These are the problems that are coming up with increased regularity in churches today in a world of chaos and confusion. And pastors and chaplains must be equipped to handle them spiritually, professionally, and most importantly of all--effectively. This book teaches how to deal with these problems -- as the author states [and teaches] -- head-on.""--Austin Miles ""AgapePress"" (6/1/2005 12:00:00 AM) Every pastor and chaplain who deals with the complex problems of this 'anything-goes' 21st Century, will benefit from this book. It is also invaluable for every seminary student and new pastor who hasn't lived long enough to deal with many of life's messes on behalf of the God of mercy and grace. Even so, the messy stuff profiled in this book is enough to sober even the most seasoned of pastors. It is frank, raw, and instructive. At times, overwhelming. And these are all real cases in various denominational settings in various parts of the country. The challenging (as well as sensitive) messes dealt with in this excellent Kregel Publications release are dealt with forthrightly.--Rev. Austin Miles ""Bishop-Accountability.org"" (5/1/2006 12:00:00 AM)

Combining accessibility with scholarly depth, Jesus Under Fire examines the authenticity of the words, actions, miracles, and resurrection of Jesus and presents compelling evidence for the traditional biblical teachings. Reading this book by Kenneth L. Swetland seemed a little like watching those daytime talk shows [a la Dr. Phil, Oprah or The Jerry Springer Show]. Each chapter is a well-crafted presentation of some disturbing and [unfortunately] highly relevant case studies. Swetland, who teaches pastoral counseling at Gordon-Cromwell Seminary, has compiled real case studiesnnchanging only people's and churches' namesnnto offer a candid look at thorny pastoral problems. His profiles don't offer solutions, but examine sin's skein-like messiness to show what church leadership faces and how pastors can take action. The problems are often more complicated than they appear. Issues range from the repeatedly repentant alcoholic to the mild-mannered sexual deviant who is an expert liar to the upstanding citizen and model church member who is an adulterer. . . . Recommend this book to pastors and Christian counselors who aren't looking for easy answers. --Gerry Wisz CBA Marketplace (01/02/2005) Facing Messy Stuff lends itself to group studies. It would be well for local pastors' organizations to do this among themselves using Swetland's book as a text. In addition, this is a reference book that should always be near the pastor's fingertips. A noted chaplain who works in the San Francisco Bay area, Rev. Carson Curcini, after looking over the notes for this review, stated: This is a very important book for pastors...especially for this day and age that we live in. To that this minister can give a hearty Amen! Facing Messy Stuff in the Church should be in every pastor's and chaplain's library. --Rev. Austin Miles www.Churchquest.com (06/01/2005) These are the problems that are coming up with increased regularity in churches today in a world of chaos and confusion. And pastors and chaplains must be equipped to handle them spiritually, professionally, and most importantly of all--effectively. This book teaches how to deal with these problems -- as the author states [and teaches] -- head-on. --Austin Miles AgapePress (06/01/2005) -Swetland, who teaches pastoral counseling at Gordon-Cromwell Seminary, has compiled real case studiesnnchanging only people's and churches' namesnnto offer a candid look at thorny pastoral problems. His profiles don't offer solutions, but examine sin's skein-like messiness to show what church leadership faces and how pastors can take action. The problems are often more complicated than they appear. Issues range from the repeatedly repentant alcoholic to the mild-mannered sexual deviant who is an expert liar to the upstanding citizen and model church member who is an adulterer. . . . Recommend this book to pastors and Christian counselors who aren't looking for easy answers.---Gerry Wisz-CBA Marketplace- (01/02/2005) -Facing Messy Stuff lends itself to group studies. It would be well for local pastors' organizations to do this among themselves using Swetland's book as a text. In addition, this is a reference book that should always be near the pastor's fingertips. A noted chaplain who works in the San Francisco Bay area, Rev. Carson Curcini, after looking over the notes for this review, stated: --This is a very important book for pastors...especially for this day and age that we live in.-- To that this minister can give a hearty --Amen!-- Facing Messy Stuff in the Church should be in every pastor's and chaplain's library.---Rev. Austin Miles-www.Churchquest.com- (06/01/2005) -These are the problems that are coming up with increased regularity in churches today in a world of chaos and confusion. And pastors and chaplains must be equipped to handle them spiritually, professionally, and most importantly of all--effectively. This book teaches how to deal with these problems -- as the author states [and teaches] -- head-on.---Austin Miles-AgapePress- (06/01/2005) Every pastor and chaplain who deals with the complex problems of this 'anything-goes' 21st Century, will benefit from this book. It is also invaluable for every seminary student and new pastor who hasn't lived long enough to deal with many of life's messes on behalf of the God of mercy and grace. Even so, the messy stuff profiled in this book is enough to sober even the most seasoned of pastors. It is frank, raw, and instructive. At times, overwhelming. And these are all real cases in various denominational settings in various parts of the country. The challenging (as well as sensitive) messes dealt with in this excellent Kregel Publications release are dealt with forthrightly.--Rev. Austin Miles Bishop-Accountability.org (05/01/2006)

Author Information

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

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