Firestorm: Preventing and Overcoming Church Conflicts [Paperback]

Ron Susek (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1999

Will your church be part of the thirty-three percent unable to spot the kindling of conflict before it flares up and results in the dismissal of a pastor? Firestorm describes the six successive phases of conflict and explains the causes of that conflict, strategies to cope with controversy, and what can be done in the firestorm's aftermath to restore faith and hope.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Firestorm is a must read for every pastor in America today! Ron has over thirty years in ministry working with pastors and churches. This book will aid in resolving church conflicts in a biblical manner -- Dr. Jerry Falwell

For many years I have respected, encouraged, and commended the preaching and counseling ministries of my colleague, Ron Susek. I am delighted that he has now distilled the wisdom and experience of his days in the trenches in his new book Firestorm. It is a masterpiece of pastoralia. For seminary studentsand even senior pastorsthis book gives lessons, warnings, and insights rarely found in literature of this kind. It is a must read, and I warmly commend it to my colleagues in the ministry -- Dr. Stephen F. Olford, founder and senior lecturer, The Stephen Olford Center for Biblical Preaching

Its a clear-cut issue: Evangelicals must either discover the importance of the unity of the Spirit as commanded in Ephesians 4:3 or discover what it means to live without the backing of God. In Firestorm Ron Susek proves that we can even disagree agreeably. His book is a significant and much needed contribution! -- Dr. John DeBrine, Host of Songtime USA

Many a church and pastor have been deeply wounded as a result of conflicts which have produced a painful separation. Firestorm is a significant tool both for prevention and healing. It should be seriously studied by every congregation, pastor, and seminary student. The fire should be recognized before it becomes a firestorm -- Dr. Donald R. Hubbard, pastor emeritus, Calvary Baptist Church, New York

Ron Susek has one of the most fertile minds around. In Firestorm his writing is comprehensive and solidly scriptural. This book is not only needed but also essential, and it could not come at a better time. I wish it were required reading for every pastor and staff member in America, as well as for every deacon and elder. It is written with passion and precision, it has practical helps, and it will help your church avoid or recover from destructive division -- Vander Warner Jr., president, Home before Dark, Ltd.

Ron Susek has written a most informative and helpful manual for pastors and church leaders. Because of its honesty, compassion, and authenticity, it is far above the level of other books dealing with the same issues. Leaders and nonleaders alike will greatly benefit from reading this detailed study of tensions, frictions, and devastations sometimes found in the Christian church, and they will learn how to overcome them -- Dr. Reinhold Kerstan, professor emeritus of preaching and communications, McMaster University

Simple mistakes, well-intentioned blunders, selfish ambition, power plays, dysfunctional ecclesiastical structuresfrom this volatile mix, firestorms can result. This book shows how firestorms may be prevented and how to recover from them -- Stuart Briscoe, senior pastor, Elmbrook Church

Some Christians believe that Onward Christian Soldiers is a battle cry that allows them to firebomb their own troops. When churches split, the cause of Christ is hindered and the wounded bear the scars for the rest of their lives. How can a church keep that from happening? If it happens, can a congregation dig out from the debris and try it once more? There are no easy answers to those questions, but Ron Susek gives us a manual church leaders can follow to answer those questions and contain the damage -- Haddon Robinson, Gordon-Conwell Seminary

With literary skill, spiritual insight, godly wisdom, and genuine concern for the body of Christ, my good friend, Ron Susek, has produced in Firestorm a unique book. I warmly commend it to pastors, elders, deacons, and all involved in leadership of a local church. Here is a classic work born out of firsthand observation and experience. It offers practical solutions to perennial problems which surface in any congregation of Gods people. To be forewarned is to be forearmed! -- Rev. Keith Skelton, senior pastor, The Open Door Church, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

About the Author

Ron Susek is an ordained minister with the North American Baptist Conference. He has pastored three churches and is now director of the Susek Evangelistic Association in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Susek speaks extensively around the world and is the author of Seeing Is Not Believing and You Can Handle Stress.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (December 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801090911
• ISBN-13: 978-0801090912
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #244,862 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Minister's Wife's Perspective, April 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Firestorm: Preventing and Overcoming Church Conflicts (Paperback)

This is one of those books that I wish our church leadership had about 18 months ago. This past year has been the most difficult of my entire 40 years. I can say that because I grew up in a very abusive, dysfunctional home with an enormous amount of trauma. Yet, none of that compared to what our "Firestorm" trauma caused to me and my family. My husband was the asso. pastor and wasn't even the "target", but the "collateral damage" (See Clergy Killers) just about destroyed him. The aftermath of a "firestorm" causes one to totally re-evaluate one's call, one's relationships with "close" friends, but most of all leaves one swirling in a whirlpool that makes you feel like your drowning -- and at times you wish you were. In Part I, Ron Susek does an incredible job of breaking a "firestorm" into phases with very practical "Dynamics" and "Recommendations" for each of the 6 phases. In Part 2, he helps sift through the mire to prompt one to evaluate oneself as well as those who "caused" the firestorm. The bottom line is an issue of the heart. Part 3 gives very practical ways of "Fighting a Firestorm", but Part 4, "Out of the Ashes" was of most value to me in that I had already experienced all the other "parts". The final chapter, "Coming Forth as Gold," caused me to sob for at least an hour. It's because that is my heart's desire. The healing that came to me from this last chapter has helped seal in my heart what God has done in me through our "firestorm". I must admit, it's extremely difficult to watch your most loved one almost incinerate before your eyes and you're helpless to change anything or take the pain away. What I have found to be the most devastating thing is to see your whole life ministry, your whole identity go "up in smoke". What I have learned through this is that our identity isn't in our ministry, but in Christ and Him alone. This "firestorm" has caused me to seek the Heart of the Father like never before. And I will actually say that I wouldn't trade what He has done in my heart because of this firestorm for anything. I have come out desiring to know Christ in a deeper way than I ever thought I could. It still hurts tremendously, but the purification of my heart is what God has been faithful to do (James 1:1-5). I believe that those who give this book a 1-star either have never been through a "firestorm" or they are either the perpetrators of a "firestorm" or potentially could be. If I had the funds, I would send a copy of this book to all the ministers in my community, especially the ones who now have those attending their churches who started our "firestorm". They're going to need it. It is a MUST READ for ALL LEADERS in the church, either vocationally or as laymen. God never does anything apart from the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5) which is His Character, but the works of the flesh savagely run untamed and unchecked in a "firestorm." Both "sides" make grave mistakes and/or fall into severe sinful acts when a firestorm is under way. No one is guiltless, but how we respond to what we have done to one another speaks loud and clear of what is in our heart. It is of utmost importance that we protect the Body of Christ (not sin) and not destroy our brothers when we have conflict or disagreements. We must obey what God's Word tells us to do when we face conflict with another: Matt. 18:15-17, Gal. 6:l, I Tim. 5:19-22 and Titus 3:10. May you be strengthen do all that you have been called to do and be: Conformed to the Image of Christ.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gives Insight to the Layperson, January 18, 2000

By 

Terry Ortman (Franklin County, Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Firestorm: Preventing and Overcoming Church Conflicts (Paperback)

As a lay person you see and hear things happening in your church. This book will give insight as to the meaning of those happenings and who and what to pray for. Will be a great help in preventing one to be led blindly by one faction or another. My church board members each have their own copy as does the pastor. The congregation is encouraged to read it also.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Excellent!, September 4, 2003

By 

David R. Bess (Charleston, WV) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Firestorm: Preventing and Overcoming Church Conflicts (Paperback)

Susek in this volume provides a simply excellent treatment of the vicious, destructive nature of church conflict. In the first part of his work he gives the account of an actual church, describing how the sparks of conflict were scattered, the flames were fanned, and the fierce firestorm was unleashed. While Susek's example is extreme for many churches struggling with lesser issues, the escalation of conflict is basically the same regardless of the scale.

In the second part of his book Susek addresses the various causes of a church firestorm. The third portion offers practical instruction on getting a firestorm under control. The fourth and final section gives suggestions on binding the wounds of the various parties who have been burned by the conflict.

I recommend this title to all pastors. For most of us, it is not a matter of IF we encounter a firestorm in our ministry, but WHEN we will experience one. I also see this book as being very helpful for church leaders who are dealing with conflict situations, regardless of their severity. Susek's work here is well-worth the price, offering healing and hopes for the conflict-scorched congregation.