Melissa Bane Sevier, Journeying Toward Renewal: A Spiritual Companion for Pastoral Sabbaticals. Alban Institute, 2002. Referenced in: Minister Self-Care LifeandLeadership.Com Summary Sevier helps ministers assess their need for a sabbatical, propose it to their churches, and secure funding for themselves and their congregations. She discusses how to plan and engage the actual sabbatical period –
Richard A. Bullock and Richard J. Bruesehoff, Clergy Renewal: The Alban Guide to Sabbatical Planning. Alban Institute, 2000. Referenced in: Minister Self-Care LifeandLeadership.com Summary The authors provide a comprehensive guide for both ministers and their congregations in planning, initiating, and completing a sabbatical, and then facilitating reentry into congregational life. They dispel common misconceptions and
Lynne Dugan, Heart-to-Heart With Pastor’s Wives: Twelve Women Share the Wisdom They’ve Gained as Partners in Ministry. Regal Books, 1994. Referenced in: Minister Self-Care LifeandLeadership.Com Summary Dugan is founder and president of the Washington, D.C. Metro Association of Evangelical Pastors’ Wives which has grown into a national ministry of support groups. This book is a
Jack Balswick and Cameron Lee, Life in a Glass House: The Minister’s Family and the Local Congregation. Fuller Seminary Press, 2006. Referenced in: Minister Self-Care LifeandLeadership.Com Summary Lee and Balswick are experienced professors and established authors in the fields of psychology and family studies. This book focuses on achieving balances amid the unique commitments and
Seward Hiltner, Ferment in the Ministry. Abingdon Press, 1969. Referenced in: Ministry Burnout, Preventing and Overcoming Pastoral Theology Strengthening and Renewing the Ministry Call LifeandLeadership.com Summary Although written in the late 1960s during a time that the ministry profession was under harsh criticism from many angles, Hiltner has enduring value. During this period, ministry was
Pamela Evans, The Overcommitted Christian: How To Serve God Without Wearing Out. InterVarsity Press, 2001. Referenced in: Ministry Burnout, Preventing and Overcoming LifeandLeadership.com Summary The unique contribution of this book is Evans’ belief that some who over-extend themselves in service to God may be acting out addictions or seeking to earn their own salvation instead
Ed Dobson, Wayne Gordon, Louis McBurney, Standing Fast: Ministry in an Unfriendly World. Multnomah Books, 1994. Referenced in: Ministry Burnout, Preventing and Overcoming LifeandLeadership.com Summary This book is full of encouraging, practical advice for ministers who feel the negative effects of ministry on themselves and their families. It is written in three parts covering ministry
Bruce Gordon Epperly and Katherine Gould Epperly, Feed the Fire! Avoiding Clergy Burnout. Pilgrim Press, 2008 Referenced in: Ministry Burnout, Preventing and Overcoming From the Publisher Clergy couple Epperly and Epperly are experienced leaders in whole-person programs for pastors. Through the sharing of life-transforming, whole-person spiritual practices; theological reflection; and personal narratives of their own
Glenn Ludwig, In it for the Long Haul: Building Effective Long-Term Pastorates. Alban Institute, 2002. Referenced in: Ministry Burnout, Preventing and Overcoming Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary Ludwig is a Lutheran minister who speaks out of his experience in a long relationship with his church. He also gleans from a carefully selected panel
H. B. London and Neil B. Wiseman, Pastors at Greater Risk: Real Help for Pastors from Pastors Who’ve Been There, Revised Edition. Regal Books, 2003. Referenced in: Ministry Burnout, Preventing and Overcoming LifeandLeadership.com Summary London works with Focus on the Family’s ministry to pastors and Neil Wiseman is a veteran pastor and Bible college professor.
