Resilient Ministry: What Pastors Told Us About Surviving and Thriving
"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 practiceResilient Ministryfor yourself and with colleagues in community." (L. Gregory Jones, professor of theology and senior strategist in leadership education at Duke Divinity School)"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." (Diane Langberg, Ph.D., psychologist)"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." (Christine D. Pohl, professor of Christian social ethics, Asbury Theological Seminary)"Burns, Guthrie and Chapman provide not only painstaking research and thought-provoking analysis inResilient 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." (Dr. Sean Michael Lucas, senior minister, First Presbyterian Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi)