27 Tough Questions Pastors Ask By Dick Hardy First-time author, Dick Hardy, jumps into the thick of things with this book. His background as a second-chair leader for two mega churches and a flagship denominational Bible college gives him great credibility in talking about 27 tough questions for pastors. 27 Tough Questions Pastors Ask grew out of Hardy’s observation that preaching is generally not the thing that trips pastors up the most. It is everything but preaching. It is all the “other stuff” of ministry that eats a pastor’s lunch. This book deals with the “other stuff.” The author breaks down the 27 questions into six broad categories: leadership and management, conflict management, budget, staffing, discipleship and hospitality. He writes from 30 years of experience, and he does so in a practical way as opposed to theoretical. He does not prescribe formulas, but he does articulate principles which apply to all churches. His last chapter under the leadership and management section has huge elements of satire in “13 Things Churches Do to Plan to Stagnate.” That chapter alone is worth the price of the book. He ends the book on the subject of hospitality, challenging the church to do over-the-top hospitality even better than Disney. He champions what the church is about. He believes that the local church has the answer to the condition of mankind. While you read how to do church better, you will feel his passion to reach more people with the Gospel. This book is an outstanding resource for any pastor. I wrote it, I am pleased with the final product, and I am confident in recommending it to you!