Responding to failure in ministry is painful for all touched by it.

The journey toward failure is unchosen, undesired, and unplanned. When it occurs, we all ask ourselves this one question: why? The result of failure is the loss of many well-trained and adequately equipped men and women from churches. Often, they disappear into oblivion.

This has been true throughout history. It's not a new problem. Witness the experiences of Abraham, David, Elijah, and Peter in Scripture. They served well, but they also failed, disappointing God and their associates. Modern pastors, too, become entrapped in situations of fear, loneliness, depression, and failure.

We must address ways to prevent failure and learn about possibilities for intervention in order to be the witnessing church that God intends us to be.