TOP 10 QUOTES from Well-Intentioned Dragons

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TOP 10 QUOTES FROM Well-Intentioned Dragons

1. "Qualifications of a pastor: the mind of a scholar, the heart of a child, and the hide of a rhinoceros" (Quote by Stuart Briscoe, p.35)

2. "If the first casualties in dragon warfare are vision and initiative, the next victim is outreach. When a pastor is forced to worry more about putting out brush fires than igniting the church's flame, the dragons have won, and the ministry has lost." p.42

3. “Pastors who personify a nondefensive spirit of joy and generosity tend not to attract as many dragons. And when they are attacked, the majority of the congregation begins to notice something amiss. When the fruit of the Spirit becomes characteristic of the church’s daily life, it becomes painfully clear whenever one person violates that spirit, and the body itself will work to take care of the irritation.” (P.85)

4. “Like any army, those on the front lines don’t have time to complain. Griping is the luxury of those with small jobs. Being in the battle isn’t always fun or even desirable to those involved, but it certainly has more significance and provides more motivation than bureaucratic work.” (p.86)

5. “Taming dragons is not giving in, becoming a doormat, appeasing them so they won’t spew their wrath throughout the church. Simply because leaders are servants doesn’t mean they must passively accept injustice or ignore threats to the body... What then is dragon taming? What is the point of any confrontation? Not stifling people’s ideas but protecting the church from those acting in destructive ways.” (p.120)

6. “The spirit needed for confronting dragons is not one of fear and withdrawal nor of arrogant power. It is gentleness and firmness – an attitude of smart love.” (p.125)

7. “Even when dragons grab a congregation, God is still in control, and he isn’t wringing his hands. At times the dragons may win – the ministry of a church may come to a standstill for a generation or more, an individual congregation may disintegrate – but dragons cannot destroy the church. Individual congregations are breakable; the church is not.” (p.140).

8. “Forgiveness seems like an unlikely tool to use before wars are completely resolved, but the effects of dragons can linger for years, sapping a church’s strength, unless the leaders demonstrate strong, visible forgiveness. Even in the midst of unresolved tensions, forgiveness must always be offered.” (p.140).

9. Thomas á Kempis said, “It is good that we at times endure opposition and that we are evilly and untruly judged when our actions and intentions are good. Often such experiences promote humility and protect us from vainglory. For then we seek God’s witness in the heart.” (p.149)

10. “It is life among the dragons that develops the qualities God requires.” (p.149)


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