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Holding Up the Prophet's Hands: Supporting Church Workers
Author Bruce Hartung presents the challenges church workers face daily, along with positive and encouraging strategies for congregations to support their workers. This book deals with job stress, finances, marriage, housing, and other important issues in the lives of professional church workers, pastors, teachers, and DCE's.
Workers of the church are at increased risk of sadness, despair, stress, frustration, anger, and disappointment. There are inherent vocational risks involved when your job is to serve others and these risks are increased when one's vocation is to connect human experience and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These risks are increased even more as workers of the church walk closely with the life experience of the people that they serve.
When a worker of the church walks closely with his or her people, sees the Gospel-to-human experience connection in the lives of people and acts on that connection, often meets more-than-the-average stressors, and is in a people-oriented service vocation, the odds rise dramatically in terms of the risks to body, spirit, and self.
Author Dr. Rev. Bruce Hartung holds a doctorate (PhD) in Pastoral Psychology and Counseling and is currently Dean of Ministerial Formation at Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis.
Workers of the church are at increased risk of sadness, despair, stress, frustration, anger, and disappointment. There are inherent vocational risks involved when your job is to serve others and these risks are increased when one's vocation is to connect human experience and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These risks are increased even more as workers of the church walk closely with the life experience of the people that they serve.
When a worker of the church walks closely with his or her people, sees the Gospel-to-human experience connection in the lives of people and acts on that connection, often meets more-than-the-average stressors, and is in a people-oriented service vocation, the odds rise dramatically in terms of the risks to body, spirit, and self.
Author Dr. Rev. Bruce Hartung holds a doctorate (PhD) in Pastoral Psychology and Counseling and is currently Dean of Ministerial Formation at Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis.
- GenresFaith
322 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2011
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21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 23, 2013
This book is a very helpful resource for churches and institutions which are serious about becoming healthier. It provides fantastic insights into the heart of conflict in the church and the reconciliation that is possible in the Body of Christ thanks to the death and resurrection of Jesus. I recommend this to any individual involved with a church, private school, or other church organization.
February 23, 2022
If you’ve ever been grateful to a church worker who selflessly gives so much of themselves, you know the desire to show that appreciation. You probably have said thank you, maybe remembered him or her with a gift, wanted him or her to feel appreciated and encouraged. This book is the most helpful resource I have found to help congregations give the kind of support that really matters. The author brings a wealth of ministry experience and personal awareness to providing a resource that manages to be both practical and a model of Christian conversation and practice.
This book combines spirituality drawn from the gospel of Jesus Christ with sound advice and suggestions that reflect the author’s years of working with Christian congregations. He reminds readers of Satan’s strategy to prevent the gospel from reaching souls. In this spiritual warfare, church members need to be aware who is most vulnerable to burn out: “church workers are more likely candidates for burnout if they bring to the task a passion for
□ sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
□ fulfilling the calling the Holy Spirit has given them
□ helping deepen people’s relationship with the triune God.
□ walking closely with the people they love, sharing both burdens and joys.”
I have been part of a congregation’s worker encouragement team, so I was struck by Hartung’s observation that even more effective than expressions of appreciation and opportunities for retreats, church workers experience real support when an organization is healthy and behaviors are positive and healthy, based in true relationships nourished by Word and Sacrament.
The book is divided into four parts: why worker health matters, resources, actions congregations can take, and a section on “when things go south” (suggestions for really serious church worker problems). Each chapter includes a “speaking personally” section, in which the author contrasts the advice he gives in the chapter with his personal thoughts. This section is an important element that is missing in most “how to” books – the author confesses his own failings and weaknesses in applying the principles. The effect of this confession is not to convince the reader that the suggestions aren’t useful. Rather, the author is true to his assertion (highlighted in a text box in the book): “Life in the real church on earth differs from life in the ideal church.” At another point in the book, the author says that the church is not a place of perfect harmony and flawless relationships, but mutual care, forgiveness and support.
This book is filled with perspectives that show wisdom. The author says that conflict in a congregation about compensation, continuing education, or work load is almost always fueled by a break down in relationship. He also points out that when workers list factors in their job satisfaction, compensation is nowhere near the top of the list, but when workers are asked about the challenges that might prevent them from continuing in the ministry, compensation is #1. Almost all points in the book are illustrated with possible church worker conversations which were instructive.
The book has useful materials for meaningful conversations with church workers. He recommends that churches organize “Worker Support Teams” (WST) and gives sound advice (clearly based on experience) about how to use them.
The author has implemented the Alban Institute’s “A Covenant of Leadership” in congregations and recommends its use. He includes a copy in Appendix A. Many of the “church worker conversations” relied upon the principles of the Covenant – especially to take problems to the person we have trouble with and not have conversations behind someone’s back. That part of the example conversations was especially helpful because many of the people in the example were reluctant to do that, but when reminded of the covenant the actions were appreciated and carried out.
Church workers are notoriously reluctant to speak up for themselves, and are not the likely audience for this book (although I think the thoughts would please them). This book will be helpful in the hands of congregation leaders, concerned members, parish nurses, and anyone looking for spiritual and practical guidance in supporting church workers.
This book combines spirituality drawn from the gospel of Jesus Christ with sound advice and suggestions that reflect the author’s years of working with Christian congregations. He reminds readers of Satan’s strategy to prevent the gospel from reaching souls. In this spiritual warfare, church members need to be aware who is most vulnerable to burn out: “church workers are more likely candidates for burnout if they bring to the task a passion for
□ sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
□ fulfilling the calling the Holy Spirit has given them
□ helping deepen people’s relationship with the triune God.
□ walking closely with the people they love, sharing both burdens and joys.”
I have been part of a congregation’s worker encouragement team, so I was struck by Hartung’s observation that even more effective than expressions of appreciation and opportunities for retreats, church workers experience real support when an organization is healthy and behaviors are positive and healthy, based in true relationships nourished by Word and Sacrament.
The book is divided into four parts: why worker health matters, resources, actions congregations can take, and a section on “when things go south” (suggestions for really serious church worker problems). Each chapter includes a “speaking personally” section, in which the author contrasts the advice he gives in the chapter with his personal thoughts. This section is an important element that is missing in most “how to” books – the author confesses his own failings and weaknesses in applying the principles. The effect of this confession is not to convince the reader that the suggestions aren’t useful. Rather, the author is true to his assertion (highlighted in a text box in the book): “Life in the real church on earth differs from life in the ideal church.” At another point in the book, the author says that the church is not a place of perfect harmony and flawless relationships, but mutual care, forgiveness and support.
This book is filled with perspectives that show wisdom. The author says that conflict in a congregation about compensation, continuing education, or work load is almost always fueled by a break down in relationship. He also points out that when workers list factors in their job satisfaction, compensation is nowhere near the top of the list, but when workers are asked about the challenges that might prevent them from continuing in the ministry, compensation is #1. Almost all points in the book are illustrated with possible church worker conversations which were instructive.
The book has useful materials for meaningful conversations with church workers. He recommends that churches organize “Worker Support Teams” (WST) and gives sound advice (clearly based on experience) about how to use them.
The author has implemented the Alban Institute’s “A Covenant of Leadership” in congregations and recommends its use. He includes a copy in Appendix A. Many of the “church worker conversations” relied upon the principles of the Covenant – especially to take problems to the person we have trouble with and not have conversations behind someone’s back. That part of the example conversations was especially helpful because many of the people in the example were reluctant to do that, but when reminded of the covenant the actions were appreciated and carried out.
Church workers are notoriously reluctant to speak up for themselves, and are not the likely audience for this book (although I think the thoughts would please them). This book will be helpful in the hands of congregation leaders, concerned members, parish nurses, and anyone looking for spiritual and practical guidance in supporting church workers.
January 24, 2018
As a church worker, I feel as though this book should be read by every church worker, every person involved in a church, every person who takes care of or works with someone who works in a church. This book details what church workers struggle with that many people don't realize. Serving in the church comes with all of it's own baggage and Dr. Hartung explains things so well and gives ideas and options to help workers in all aspects of life. Remarkably well done.
April 2, 2022
This was an emotionally difficult book to read, but important. The author demonstrates why church workers are particularly vulnerable - from emotional and spiritual warfare perspectives. He then goes on to provide congregation-wide initiatives to support struggling church workers and proactively address congregational conflict. Finally, he addresses special topics like addiction. I highly recommend this book, especially to lay leaders in congregations.
May 4, 2023
Dr Bruce Hartung writes an excellent book for churches and church workers about the spiritual challenges of their roles and ways that churches can support their workers through these challenges. Lots of practical advice, action steps and personal reflections. Highly recommended.
January 5, 2016
An excellent resource to help congregations support their called workers. Found it particularly useful as I work with a pastoral mentoring program for new graduates of our denomination's seminary.
March 13, 2025
Every church leader needs to read this book and take it to heart.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews