C Ash, Zeal Without Burnout, The Good Book
Company, 2016. 123 pages.
This
is a book which can be read in a single sitting. However, don’t be deceived –
it’s an important book on the important topic of ministry burnout.
Many sources report on high levels of burnout among
ministry workers resulting in resignations, physical and mental illness and
many just struggling on in their roles with diminishing usefulness. This is
especially so in pastoral leadership where a combination of impossible
expectations, poor governance, family pressures and low recognition take high
casualties. The keen 30 year old who
takes on a pastor’s role too often finishes up as a tired, cynical time-server
in his 50s and unable to do other than slog out it out to pension age.
Christopher Ash writes into this situation from his
own and other’s experience and from a Scriptural perspective. He reminds us of
the difference between sacrifice and needless burnout and the underlying truth
that we are dust, not God. As dusty people we need sleep, Sabbaths, friends and
food and we neglect those needs at our peril. We are prone to the danger of
wanting to be celebrities and of rejoicing in our ministry and not in grace.
Much of the book diagnoses burnout and shows its
dangers, but it also points readers to some preventative and therapeutic
measures - all within big calls to
recognise our dustiness and to cultivate delight in God.
Are you too busy to read 123 small pages? Then start
with the questions on pp112-113 and they may lead you back to page 1. If you do
read the book in a single sitting, you may just be the keen 30 year old who is
in danger of becoming a menace to your family and your church later on. It’s a
no-brainer to read it now and save yourself from trouble later.
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