Charles Stone has written a new book, 5 Ministry Killers and How to Defeat Them, in which he looks at research on what pastors are saying about ministry, identifies five potentially devastating problems, and give wise counsel on how to overcome these "killers."

I am glad Charles was able to take the time to answer some questions here and come around the blog today to interact.

Here is our interview:

The book's title sounds rather ominous. What prompted you to write such a book?

The word killers does sound extreme, but sometimes we need a ministry wake-up call to avert future disaster. Killers hopefully will catch many pastors' eyes and interest them to look further. I wrote the book not primarily as a book for pastors in crisis, although the content applies there as well. Rather, I consider it a pre-crisis book, one that can help us avoid those issues that can kill a ministry, a marriage, or passion for God. I contracted both LifeWay research and Barna research to survey nearly 2,000 pastors. The findings were quite dramatic.

When you say 'killers' do you mean the really big stuff like immorality and unethical conduct or something more subtle?

We've all seen the extensive media treatment well-known pastors receive when they commit some grievous sin like adultery. Most pastors, however, don't run off with the proverbial church piano player, teach heresy, or steal from the offering plate. But, many ministers lie wounded, broken, and passionless from less significant issues that, over time, sapped the life from their soul. The issues most likely to pull us down or take us out of the ministry I liken to termites.

I lived many years in Georgia where termites pose a real problem. There, banks require a 'termite letter' before they will approve a home mortgage. To get such a letter, the seller must contract an exterminator to examine the home for possible termite infestation. Sometimes the exterminator can visibly determine damage if soft wood surrounds windows or if they see termite trails. But often they must drill small holes into the walls to inspect for damage unseen to the homeowner. Ministry killers that ultimately cause a pastor to quit ministry, become bitter, or compromise his values are much like termites. Though hidden just beneath the surface, they will eventually harm a pastor, his family, and his ministry unless he 'inspects' himself and takes appropriate action. Though tiny in size, they are deadly in power and can kill.

So, if a church leader realizes some of these killers lurk in his or her life or ministry, what's the way out? How can a leader keep them from hurting his ministry or family?

Yes, there is a way out. I suggest a four-part organic process that any pastor or church leader can apply to his or her situation. The four-part process essentially answers these four questions with specifics on how to implement the answers

1. Do you have a safe person in your life with whom you can process ministry frustration?
2. What really frustrates you in ministry? Have you looked deep enough to discover those issues?
3. How do others in the church see how you handle ministry frustration and what needs to change?
4. Who needs to know how you feel and how should you communicate your needs and feelings?

What did you discover about the impact these killers have on wives of pastors?

My wife and I co-wrote a chapter on how the ministry dramatically can affect a pastor's wife. In ancillary research I discovered that the number one reason why pastors leave the ministry is their wife's unhappiness. Unfortunately, many pastors overlook this issue as reflected in the responses from the 2,000 pastors. Very few mentioned their wife's unhappiness and struggles in their church as a key issue about which to pay attention.

In the extensive research behind the book, what was the biggest surprise you discovered about pastors?

The shocker was this. Although most of us get into ministry to reach people for Christ (the great commission) and help them love God and others (the great command), we seem to have allowed our priorities to become skewed. By a 2-to-1 margin pastors said they focus their emotional energies on the organizational matters of the church (money, volunteers, planning issues) over spiritual growth issues. And by a 4-to-1 margin over helping others have healthy relationships. At first I was shocked until I realized how much energy I devote to those issues that make me look good, like growing attendance, stronger offerings, and meeting my annual goals.

How successful have you been at keeping these killers at bay in life and ministry? What have you done that has helped?

Writing the book caused me to evaluate what's most important in ministry and deal with some of these killers in me. I've made some internal and external changes, but not without help. I saw a professional counselor several times last year. He helped me become more honest about the junk in my soul. As a result, I'm more at peace with myself, have become a more effective preacher, and I've even become a better husband to my wife of 30 years. I still have a long way to go, but I'm in a much better place to finish well.

You can purchase 5 Ministry Killers and How to Defeat Them here. Charles will be around today to dialogue about the book. Feel free to post questions and comments below.