Straining at the Oars: Case Studies in Pastoral Leadership

A common complaint of recent seminary graduates is their lack of preparation in practical theology, especially in the tasks of leadership. New pastors encounter a host of challenges that can seem overwhelming.

Biblically oriented, wise, and reassuring, Dana Fearon presents twenty-one difficult situations that young ministers are likely to face on the job, including prayer in the hospital room, a request to baptize a dead infant, handling conflict and criticism, entering dangerous areas to reconcile hostile groups, and others. As part of his discussion, Fearon presents and reviews his own response to such situations, using his theological education and long experience in church ministry to instruct others.

H. Dana Fearon III (1931–2014) served for forty-two years as the pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and was a longtime guest lecturer at Princeton Theological Seminary. Under Fearon’s leadership, the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville became increasingly well known for its spiritual vigor as well as its involvement in neighborhood programs and community services.

Gordon S. Mikoski is associate professor of Christianeducation at Princeton Theological Seminary and editor ofTheology Today.,