Includes bibliographical references.

Introduction: Serving without a safety net -- Juggling the demands of your calling -- Are you driven or called? -- Discovering counterbalances in ministry -- Sharpening the focus of your vision -- Running with your eyes closed : ministry without a godly vision -- Developing a balanced vision : when God shows the way -- Gaining balance by building teams -- More shoulders, lighter loads : God's design for team ministry -- The character of a balanced team : keys for building an effective team -- Cultivating genuine humility -- The indispensable quality of humility -- Fighting to maintain a humble perspective -- A life rooted in humility -- Learning to grow through your troubles -- Owning my mistakes : trouble I bring on myself -- Seizing teachable moments : failure can produce growth -- When your character is under fire : the withering effect of personal attacks -- Preparing a wise response : seasoned maturity in action -- Facing the inevitability of change -- "Something has got to change!" knowing when transitions are right -- Leading the charge for change : your role in making it happen -- Combating spiritual dryness -- Recognizing the symptoms of spiritual dryness -- How did I get here? : factors contributing to spiritual dryness -- Coming out of the desert : He restores my soul! -- Concluding thoughts.

If you have served on a church staff for any length of time, you've almost certainly dealt with unhealthy expectations. Too many pastors embrace a hard-driving ministry that borders on burnout, convincing themselves they are being obedient to God's will. In reality, putting too much energy into one area of life or ministry causes you to neglect others. With thirty years of pastoral experience behind him, David Horner knows the many challenges pastors face. In A Practical Guide for Life and Ministry, Horner shows how to balance the demands of your calling, sharpen your vision, grow a team, cultivate humility, learn through failure, embrace change, and fight spiritual dryness.