Well-Intentioned Dragons: Ministering to Problem People in the Church [Paperback]

Marshall Shelley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1994

Guides church staffs in facing the strenuous task of dealing with difficult people. Describes tested strategies to turn dissidents into disciples.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Marshall Shelley is a vice president of Christianity Today, Inc. He is also the author of several books including Well-Intentioned Dragons and Helping Those Who Don't Want to Be Helped. He holds a journalism degree from Bethel College in Minnesota and a M.Div. from Denver Seminary in Colorado. Marshall and his family live in Illinois.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (July 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556615159
• ISBN-13: 978-1556615153
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,103 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Marshall Shelley is editor in chief of Leadership, the premier publication for church leaders, and vice president of Christianity Today International. Raised in Colorado, he now lives in "topographically challenged" Chicagoland, but still roots for his beloved Denver Broncos. He is married (to Susan) and has five children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Case Studies, February 1, 2001

By 

Ethan E. Brown "Propably not quite as helpful... (Lubbock, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Well-Intentioned Dragons: Ministering to Problem People in the Church (Paperback)

Shelly's book ought to be assigned reading for anyone considering ministry or church leadership. The reality of conflict in churches is too often treated as a family secret of which Christians should be ashamed. Ministers who go into ministry unprepared for the difficult behavior may be devastated by it. Shelly's book shows you how truly bizarre and painful church conflicts can be. Furthermore, most church conflict resources are focused on problem driven conflict, rather than personality driven conflict. These types of conflicts call for different approaches and skills. If there is a weakness in Shelly's book, it is that it offers fewer solutions than might be desired. However, the vividness and reality of the situations, and the strength of the writing more than make up for this. A good companion book would be: Never Call Them Jerks: Healthy Responses to Difficult Behavior by Arthur Paul Boers.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-Read Classic on Church Conflict!, May 30, 2004

By 

David R. Bess (Charleston, WV) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Well-Intentioned Dragons: Ministering to Problem People in the Church (Paperback)

I read this book when it was first published years ago, and have just finished reading it again. After twenty years of pastoral ministry, I find the conflict stories of well-intentioned dragons to ring true with my own experience. I can also see how the insights gained from reading this book the first time have helped me in dealing with many difficult church members I have encountered.

Shelley's theme is found in one of his introductory remarks:
"The rest of this book deals with various kinds of dragons, their tactics, and the ways to handle them. But from the beginning a premise stands clear: the goal in handling dragons is not to destroy them, not merely to disassociate, but to make them disciples. Even when that seems an unlikely prospect" (p. 34).

This book is directed towards pastors, but contains helpful lessons for all church leaders. I can't think of a better, more insightful title on church conflict. This one is essential reading for everyone who even occasionally has to respond to conflict within a congregation.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-have for any church leader's library, December 3, 1999

By 

"tstokes" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Well-Intentioned Dragons: Ministering to Problem People in the Church (Paperback)

Shelley includes actual situations from pastors and how they dealt with the well-intentioned dragons from their congregations. It helped to see that we weren't the only people struggling. The book also helped me to see that sometimes I'm the dragon! The author also included instances where the situation didn't work out and have a happy ending. I recommend this book to anyone in any sort of leadership role within the church.