A church can be a dangerous place. The perils may be so obvious, they become elephants standing in the fellowship hall, lurking in the sanctuary, ready to spring into the pastor s study, and tromp out of the choir room. The word elephant stands for an obvious truth or issue that is ignored or unnamed a blind spot. Yet we allow elephants to occupy a large amount of space in the minds and hearts of those that tiptoe around them. Discussing common blind-spots of congregations and church leaders, the authors provide examples and illustrations for how to stop these "elephants" from ruining a ministry."