Mastering Ministry’s Pressure Points

Dangers Toils & Snares

Resisting the Hidden Temptations of Ministry

Richard Exley

Mark Galli

John Ortberg

Dangers, Toils & Snares

© 1994 by Christianity Today, Inc.

Published by Multnomah Books

Questar Publishers, Inc.

Sisters, Oregon

International Standard Book Number: 0-88070-625-2

All Rights Reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission. For information:

Questar Publishers, Inc.

Post Office Box 1720

Sisters, Oregon 97759

Most Scripture quotations are from the New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society; used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House).

Contents

Introduction

David Goetz

Part 1

Dangers of Pastoral Toil

1. The Perils of Professional Holiness

Mark Galli

2. Breaking the Approval Addiction

John Ortberg

3. Taming Ambition

Richard Exley

4. Confessions of a Lazy Pastor

John Ortberg

5. Confronting the Fear of Controversy

Richard Exley

6. Pastoral Anger: Murder in the Cathedral

John Ortberg

7. When You Can’t Hold On

Mark Galli

8. A Cure for Seriousness

John Ortberg

Part 2

Sexual Snares

9. Handling Sexual Temptation

Richard Exley

10. An Overlooked Casualty of a “Victimless” Sin

Mark Galli

11. After the Fall

Richard Exley

Part 3

The Long View

12. When Sin Won’t Let Go

Mark Galli

Epilogue

David Goetz

Introduction

The Wednesday after the Sunday he preached on handling lust, Pastor Russ received a phone call from his best friend’s wife. She and her husband had befriended Russ and his wife when they arrived to pastor the church. Their families had even vacationed together.

“Sunday you preached on sexual obsessions,” she began, “and I need to confess an obsession I have.”

Russ stiffened. Do I want to hear about this from a friend? he thought.

“Frankly, my obsession has to do with you,” she said. “I’ve been waiting some time to tell you that I’m in love with you.”

Russ drew a long breath. His mouth felt parched, his heart quickened.

What now? he thought wildly. Part of him wanted to listen; he was flattered that Barb had found him attractive. Part of him panicked: I’ve got to stop this pronto. I can’t listen to this.

“Stop right there,” Russ said firmly. “I don’t want to hear it.”

“But I have these feelings for you that won’t go away. I just want to come and …”

“Stop it, Barb,” he said, raising his voice.

“Can’t we just talk about it? Maybe it will help.”

“No, we can’t talk about it. And if you continue, I’ll have to hang up the phone.”

“But I have to talk about it, and I have to talk with you …”

“Barb, I’m hanging up the phone. I’m sorry. Good-bye.”

Russ’s response—refusing to hear her passion for him—effectively crushed sin’s call before it became alluring. Temptation never got an audience. That’s because, at least in this area, Russ was spiritually fit.

Fighting sin ...