It happens little by little. . . Even in the context of a very faithful ministry, a pastor may be at risk of a gradual-but ultimately debilitating-downfall. Al Martin speaks from years of experience as he guides pastors to identify warning signs of dangerous paths: Backsliding-a spiritual decline manifested first in the prayer closet. Burnout-erosion of one’s mental, emotional, psychological, and physical resiliency and buoyancy. Washout-the loss of credibility among the people.