Thompson and contributors explore the nature of power and the challenges it proposes to pastoral ministry. By using the metaphor "Alligators in the Swamp," they illustrate the complexity of power and how it can be used effectivly. The text presents and explores the nature of power from diverse yet complementary perspectives such as power and self (attire), power and culture, in church and community (map/compass), power and community decisionmaking (craft), power and public policy advocacy (gear).