We live in an age where conviction is considered a bad thing. I'm not talking about the conviction to do something nice. I'm talking about the kind of conviction where we feel guilt and a need for repentance or change. It's not popular to talk about sin, guilt, shame, or even just taking responsibility for mistakes. A pastor, such as myself, will be much more popular if he preaches about success, blessing, prosperity, or love. He'll be perceived as loving and kind if he talks

Working with pastors as a Field Shepherd with Standing Stone Ministry (www.standingstoneministry.org), I see one common problem again and again. It's the inability or unwillingness to say, "No." In an age where over 90% of pastors who start in ministry right out of college/seminary will quit before they're old enough to retire, burn-out rules! Burn-out leads to numerous other problems including moral failure, divorce, health issues, depression, and most often, resignation. Te