Ray S. Anderson, Self-Care: A Theology of Personal Empowerment and Spiritual Healing. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2000. Referenced in: Minister Self-Care LifeandLeadership.com Summary This book approaches self-care not so much with a view toward preventing burnout, but of being a healthier self overall. Anderson says, “The purpose of this book is to explore the innate
Rochelle Melander and Harold Eppley, The Spiritual Leader’s Guide to Self-Care. Alban Institute, 2002. Referenced in: Minister Self-Care LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is probably the most user-friendly workbook on minister self-care. Like all other guides of this nature, it is not a substitute for other helping relationships one may need during a time of burnout, but
Miroslav Volf and Dorothy Bass, Editors, Practicing Theology: Beliefs and Practices in Christian Life. Eerdmans, 2002. Referenced in: Pastoral Theology From the Publisher No useful atlas would ignore where people live – nor should spiritual road maps. In a time when academic theology often neglects the actual customs of Christian communities, Practicing Theology seeks to
David Fleer and Charles Siburt, Like a Shepherd Lead Us: Guidance for the Gentle Art of Pastoring. Leafwood Publishers, 2006. Companion volume: Fleer and Siburt, Good Shepherds Referenced in: Plural-Elder Congregational Leadership LifeandLeadership.com Summary These volumes include a series of articles selected from presentations at the national multi-site ElderLink workshops sponsored by Abilene Christian University.
Andrew Purves, The Resurrection of Ministry: Serving in the Hope of the Risen Lord. IVP Academic, 2010. Prequel: Purves, The Crucifixion of Ministry Referenced in: Pastoral Theology Strengthening and Renewing the Ministry Call LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is a companion volume to Crucifixion of Ministry, both written by Andrew Purves, one of today’s most respected pastoral
Gary L. McIntosh, Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership: How to Become an Effective Leader by Confronting Potential Failures. Baker Publishing Group, 2007. Referenced in: Leadership Development Through Spiritual Formation LifeandLeadership.com Summary I make constant use of this text when addressing leadership formation, church leadership, and congregational conflict. It is the standard description of the
Ruth Haley Barton, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry. IVP Books, 2009. Referenced in: Leadership Development Through Spiritual Formation Ministry Burnout, Preventing and Overcoming LifeandLeadership.com Summary I recommend anything by Ruth Haley Barton. She is the author of several excellent volumes, including Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for
Henri J. M. Nouwen, In the Name of Jesus: Reflections of Christian Leadership. Crossroad Publishing Company, 1992. Referenced in: Biblical and Spiritual Foundations of Leadership Pastoral Theology Strengthening and Renewing the Ministry Call LifeandLeadership.com Summary Discouragement in ministry often comes from a minister’s perceived inabilities or failures in the quest to be relevant, popular, and
Reggie McNeal, Practicing Greatness: 7 Disciplines of Extraordinary Spiritual Leaders. Jossey-Bass, 2006. Referenced in: Leadership Development Through Spiritual Formation Minister Self-Care LifeandLeadership.com Summary McNeal offers one of the most perceptive and challenging guides to the consistent disciplines found in those who excel as leaders. The seven disciplines are self-awareness, self-management, self-development, mission, decision-making, belonging, and
Brian Dodd, Empowered Church Leadership: Ministry in the Spirit According to Paul. InterVarsity Press, 2003. Referenced in: Empowering Leadership Pastoral Theology LifeandLeadership.com Summary Dodd does not use “empowerment” in the same sense as much of the current leadership literature, but more in terms of ministry that is done by the power of the Spirit rather
