Qualifications of a pastor: the mind of a scholar, the heart of a child, and the hide of a rhinoceros.
Stuart Briscoe

Dwayne and Virginia Wilson represent only one kind of well-intentioned dragon, albeit a complex and durable species. Many other kinds have been sighted within the church — some merely nuisances, others serious threats to church life.

Before looking specifically at two of the most common tactics of dragons — personal attacks and plays for power — it might be helpful to catalog some of the varieties inhabiting the church. All of the following have been reported by working pastors.

The Bird Dog. Four-legged bird dogs point where the hunter should shoot. The two-legged Bird Dog loves to be the pastor's eyes, ears, and nose, sniffing out items for attention. "If I were you, I'd give Mrs. Greenlee a call. She has some marital problems you need to confront." Or, "We need more activities for the youth." Or, "Why doesn't the church do something about …"

Most pastors respond to Bird ...