What does it take to have fruitful ministry over the long haul? The stresses of pastoring are well known and can be a match for even the best-prepared, most experienced in ministry--multiple tasks, long hours, taxing responsibilities and, yes, some challenging personalities. Too often the results can be burnout, being run out or just feeling worn out. To find out how pastors can thrive as well as survive, the authors undertook a five-year in-depth research project among working pastors. Here in this ground-breaking book is the distilled wisdom of dozens of pastors who have been on the front lines of ministry. We hear from them what works, what doesn't and what distinctive issues people in ministry face. The authors uncover five key themes that promote healthy, sustainable ministry that lasts--spiritual formation, self-care, emotional and cultural intelligence, marriage and family, leadership and management. These themes are unpacked from the vantage point of ministry on the ground. Questions for personal evaluation and reflection are included throughout the book to bring home the significance of each section. This is the perfect companion for a peer cohort of pastors to read together. It can also be of value to church boards and others who want to better understand how to help sustain their pastors in ministry. In short, this is a book pastors can't live without.
Bob Burns (Ph.D., University of Georgia) is senior associate pastor and head of staff at Central Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, and adjunct professor of educational ministries at Covenant Theological Seminary.
Tasha D. Chapman (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is associate dean of lifelong learning and adjunct professor of educational ministries at Covenant Seminary. She is coauthor of Resilient Ministry with Bob Burns and Donald C. Guthrie.
Donald C. Guthrie (Ed.D., University of Georgia) is professor of educational ministries at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1 Life in Pastoral Ministry 2 The Five Themes of Resilient Ministry 3 Evaluating Spiritual Formation 4 Pursuing Spiritual Formation 5 Self-Care: Burning On, Not Burning Out 6 Self-Care: Pacing Our Lifestyles 7 Understanding Emotional Intelligence 8 Developing Emotional Intelligence 9 Exploring Cultural Differences 10 Improving Cultural Intelligence 11 Marriage and Family: Stressed by Ministry 12 More Marriage and Family Stressors 13 Leadership Poetry 14 Leadership Plumbing 15 Concluding Insights and Next Steps Appendix A: Research Methods of the Pastors Summit Appendix B: Questions for Personal Evaluation and Annual Reviews Appendix C: Emotions Checklist Appendix D: Constructing and Interviewing a Family Diagram Appendix E: Best Practices for Forming Peer Cohorts Notes
What People are Saying About This
Dr. Sean Michael Lucas
"Burns, Guthrie and Chapman provide not only painstaking research and thought-provoking analysis in Resilient Ministry, but also even more—they provide a path forward for sustaining excellent ministry over the long haul. As a result, this book needs to be required reading not just for theological educators and judicatory and denominational officials, but also for pastors (and pastors' spouses) and lay leaders—everyone who cares about Christ, his church and his ministers. If Christ's church advances, it will only be through ministerial leaders who are resilient, committed, sustained and growing. Burns and company show us the way."
L. Gregory Jones
"Resilience is a trait of gifted leaders, clergy and laity alike. In this wise, insightful and intensely practical book, Burns, Chapman and Guthrie draw on extensive interviews and research to illumine traits and practices that nurture resilient ministry. Read, discuss and practice Resilient Ministry for yourself and with colleagues in community."
Christine D. Pohl
"Highly practical, spiritually substantive and rich with examples and suggestions, this book offers much-needed insight into factors that are crucial for long-term flourishing in pastoral ministry."
Diane Langberg
"Isolation, relentless demands and little nurturing result in many ministry leaders abandoning their posts. The authors have exposed much of this to the light along with a solid understanding of what is needed for pastors to thrive as faithful servants. This book is also a call to the church to care for its shepherds."
