Pastors are no strangers to the concept of good things replacing God as the object of a worshiper's attention. But what does this look like when church itself is the "idol" a pastor is venerating?

Craig Groeschel and Kyle Idleman are familiar with the struggle. Each has written a new book on idolatry—Altar Ego by Groeschel and Gods at War by Idleman (both Zondervan, 2013). Leadership Journal correspondent Greg Taylor interviewed Groeschel (senior pastor of Edmond, Oklahoma based LifeChurch.tv and one of the creators of the YouVersion Bible app) and Idleman (teaching pastor at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky) for a candid take on what happens when ministry begins to supplant God.

Your new books deal with idolatry versus Christ identity. What prompted you to address this topic?

Idleman: As I've spoken to different churches recently about what it means to be completely committed to Jesus, I have found that one of the chief problems is not lack ...