Character Forged from Conflict: Staying Connected to God During Controversy (Pastor's Soul)
Gary Preston, through more than two decades in ministry including work both here and overseas has both seen and been a part of a wide variety of churches. Having completed his undergraduate work at Westmont College and his Master's of Divinity at Denver Seminary, he spent time in Europe as a missionary working in both Naples, Italy and Vienna, Austria. During his service in Naples, he met and married his wife, Suzanne, and they moved to Vienna where Preston pastored the International Chapel of Vienna for six years.His numerous and varied experiences have provided a deep well of inspiration and that provide practical and practiced advice in his new book for THE PASTOR'S SOUL series. A witness to miraculous times as well as moments of struggle and suffering, Preston is dedicated to sharing his own triumphs and missteps in the hope that others may learn without having to undergo the difficulties that form the basis of his book.The main catalyst for his writing ofCharacter Forged From Conflictwas a forced resignation from a pastorate here in the United States. Drawing on the lessons learned from those difficult times, Preston allows today's pastors to look over his shoulder as he explores the foundational truths that can be learned through times of suffering. His own experience taught him that few people in ministry are adequately prepared to deal with conflict properly and his hope is that by sharing his own experiences he may help others before their own controversial situations become critical.The ultimate promise though is that in seeking God a church which is able to manage conflict will grow strong and unified. It is his desire that pastors find the peace and presence of God amid all the various experiences of ministry.Currently, Preston is serving as Senior Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Boulder, Colorado. He previously was pastor of Mountain Christian Fellowship in Golden, Colorado, and a staff pastor at Bear Valley Fellowship in Denver. His free time is spent with his family wife, Suzanne and two teenage sons exploring and adventuring in the Colorado wilderness.David L. Goetzis editor of LEADERSHIP Resources, a division of LEADERSHIP (a publication of Christianity Today, Inc.), the most respected journal in America for pastors and church leaders. size : 5.6 x 8.5