Survive or Thrive

Every month 1,500 pastors burn out and leave the church. Learn how to beat the odds.

The majority of pastors are not truly known—by anyone. They subconsciously isolate themselves from both staff and congregation so their insecurities, doubts, and failures aren’t exposed. Yet confiding in the wrong person can be a dead end at best and disastrous at worst.

Former pastor Jimmy Dodd reveals how those in pastoral ministry can receive ongoing support, accountability, and restoration from relationships with a boss, counselor, trainer, mentor, coach, and good friend. Discover how you can move from surviving to thriving with the six relationships every pastor needs.

1. Opening Credits
2. Dedication
3. Preface
4. Introduction: Front Stage and Back Stage
5. Section 1: Survive: The Heart of the Problem—How Did We Arrive Here?
6. Chapter 1: What Drives Us Back Stage?
7. Chapter 2: Closing the Front Stage–Back Stage Gap
8. Chapter 3: Created for Community
9. Chapter 4: Embracing Weakness in a Strength Glorified Culture
10. Chapter 5: Paul’s Thorn and Charlie’s Angels
11. Chapter 6: Leave Me Alone!
12. Section 2: Thrive: The Six Relationships Every Pastor Needs
13. Chapter 7: Everyone Needs a Boss
14. Chapter 8: Continuing Education Isn’t Just for Teachers
15. Chapter 9: Hey, Coach! Put Me In!
16. Chapter 10: Counselor: Scrubbing the Wound
17. Chapter 11: Mentor: The View from Above at the Labyrinth of Life
18. Chapter 12: Every Pastor Needs a Friend
19. Section 3: Gospel Transformation: Taking the All Important Next Steps
20. Chapter 13: Where Do We Go from Here?
21. Chapter 14: Gospel Implications
22. Closing Credits