The Leadership Labyrinth: Negotiating the Paradoxes of Ministry (Book)
Judson Edwards, Author.  Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys Publishers, 2005.

Drawing on years of pastoral experience, Judson Edwards explains 21 paradoxes of ministerial life. He devotes a short chapter to each paradox; you may want to read first those chapters that apply most closely to situations in your life.

Some paradoxes focus on our connections with other people: the leadership paradox ("The harder you try to control a group, the less control you will have"); the relationship paradox ("The people who like you most will be the ones you try least to please"); and the influence paradox ("The most powerful people in your life will not be powerful people") are examples.

Others focus on our attempts to grapple with issues, such as the negotiation paradox ("The most serious issues cannot be handled seriously"); the controversy paradox ("The issue you are arguing about is not the issue at all"); and the confrontation paradox ("Direct confrontation seldom confronts the problem").

Still others focus our own lives: the calendar paradox ("The busier you are, the less you will accomplish"); the helper's paradox ("The best way to help others is to take care of yourself"); and the attitude paradox ("Only pastors who are having fun can seriously proclaim the gospel").

Leaders in both lay and ordained ministries will find this book illuminating. It sheds light on those truths that we often recognize only after years of struggling to convince ourselves that life is different. If we can realize such truths earlier rather than later, ministry might be more satisfying—and perhaps more fun.

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See also these resources:

The Promise of Paradox: A Celebration of Contradictions in the Christian Life (Book)
Parker J. Palmer, Author.  San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2008.
Parker Palmer's The Promise of Paradox is organized around the themes of paradox and contradiction in Christian life. Palmer reflects on education, community, contemplation, political responsibility, prayer, social action, and solitude.