Firestorm: Preventing and Overcoming Church Conflicts

A tremendous source of insight, wisdom and knowledge to help anyone who has gone through a church split of any kind. This book helped the healing process begin and come to completeness. Praise God!

If your church is going through fighting and division, this book will definately help you. First it describes the stages of the "firestorm" and then how to address the issues to bring the church through the destructive battle and begin the healing. Dr. Susek has had a lot of experience leading churches through the process, we even contacted him and he is consulting with us.

Susek in this volume provides a simply excellent treatment of the vicious, destructive nature of church conflict. In the first part of his work he gives the account of an actual church, describing how the sparks of conflict were scattered, the flames were fanned, and the fierce firestorm was unleashed. While Susek's example is extreme for many churches struggling with lesser issues, the escalation of conflict is basically the same regardless of the scale.In the second part of his book Susek addresses the various causes of a church firestorm. The third portion offers practical instruction on getting a firestorm under control. The fourth and final section gives suggestions on binding the wounds of the various parties who have been burned by the conflict.I recommend this title to all pastors. For most of us, it is not a matter of IF we encounter a firestorm in our ministry, but WHEN we will experience one. I also see this book as being very helpful for church leaders who are dealing with conflict situations, regardless of their severity. Susek's work here is well-worth the price, offering healing and hopes for the conflict-scorched congregation.

The striking title evokes a powerful image of the destructive forces at work when churches are overcome by conflict. Susek, who has first hand experience of the lasting effects of church controversy, traces the stages of conflict and provides practical suggestions for dealing with each phase. The book also includes a detailed plan of action. Susek incorporates a dimension that is missing from many materials on church conflict, that of the spiritual forces of evil that are often at work. The book begins by explaining the six phases of a firestorm and how to recognize the symptoms. Next it presents four pillars of strength that are crucial for healthy churches to have spiritual power, and helps church leaders evaluate themselves in light of those strengths. Special attention is given to how church leaders' family and psycho-social needs may be affecting them too deeply, either helping to create conflicts or hindering effective resolution. The book also helps leaders to assess the presence of a number of other factors that contribute to conflict, such as cultural resistance to authority, rapid church growth, etc. Susek also includes very helpful sections on church discipline, bold spiritual leadership, the use of consultants, care for badly burned church leaders and their families, and the role of interim ministers.

This is one of those books that I wish our church leadership had about 18 months ago. This past year has been the most difficult of my entire 40 years. I can say that because I grew up in a very abusive, dysfunctional home with an enormous amount of trauma. Yet, none of that compared to what our "Firestorm" trauma caused to me and my family. My husband was the asso. pastor and wasn't even the "target", but the "collateral damage" (See Clergy Killers) just about destroyed him. The aftermath of a "firestorm" causes one to totally re-evaluate one's call, one's relationships with "close" friends, but most of all leaves one swirling in a whirlpool that makes you feel like your drowning -- and at times you wish you were. In Part I, Ron Susek does an incredible job of breaking a "firestorm" into phases with very practical "Dynamics" and "Recommendations" for each of the 6 phases. In Part 2, he helps sift through the mire to prompt one to evaluate oneself as well as those who "caused" the firestorm. The bottom line is an issue of the heart. Part 3 gives very practical ways of "Fighting a Firestorm", but Part 4, "Out of the Ashes" was of most value to me in that I had already experienced all the other "parts". The final chapter, "Coming Forth as Gold," caused me to sob for at least an hour. It's because that is my heart's desire. The healing that came to me from this last chapter has helped seal in my heart what God has done in me through our "firestorm". I must admit, it's extremely difficult to watch your most loved one almost incinerate before your eyes and you're helpless to change anything or take the pain away. What I have found to be the most devastating thing is to see your whole life ministry, your whole identity go "up in smoke". What I have learned through this is that our identity isn't in our ministry, but in Christ and Him alone. This "firestorm" has caused me to seek the Heart of the Father like never before. And I will actually say that I wouldn't trade what He has done in my heart because of this firestorm for anything. I have come out desiring to know Christ in a deeper way than I ever thought I could. It still hurts tremendously, but the purification of my heart is what God has been faithful to do (James 1:1-5). I believe that those who give this book a 1-star either have never been through a "firestorm" or they are either the perpetrators of a "firestorm" or potentially could be. If I had the funds, I would send a copy of this book to all the ministers in my community, especially the ones who now have those attending their churches who started our "firestorm". They're going to need it. It is a MUST READ for ALL LEADERS in the church, either vocationally or as laymen. God never does anything apart from the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5) which is His Character, but the works of the flesh savagely run untamed and unchecked in a "firestorm." Both "sides" make grave mistakes a