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The Unhurried Pastor: Redefining Productivity for a More Sustainable Ministry
Helps pastors adopt an approach to ministry that is effective, enjoyable, and sustainable. Being a pastor is not a regular 9-to-5 job. There is an unending list of important things to do as you seek to serve others sacrificially. The demands of ministry make it difficult to find a healthy rhythm of life and work, and can leave you running on empty. How can we develop a sustainable pattern of ministry that both honors the Lord and the people we care for and that will also protect us from burnout? Ronnie Martin and Brian Croft have each spent decades pastoring churches and supporting ministry leaders. Here they encourage fellow shepherds to embrace a more present-focused, unhurried approach to ministry. They show how this starts with accepting their humanity, pursuing humility, and remembering the hope they have in Christ. They also exhort pastors to fuel their ministry with self-awareness, prayer, and contemplation of Jesus. After giving a framework for this approach to ministry, the authors offer lots of practical advice regarding prioritization, managing schedules, and cultivating supportive friendships. Read this book to deepen your joy, help yourself to serve others more effectively and continue serving God in ministry for many years to come.
192 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2024
45 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Brian Croft
67 books15 followersBrian Croft is Senior Pastor of Auburndale Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Brian is the founder of Practical Shepherding, a non-profit organization committed to equipping pastors all over the world in the practical matters of pastoral ministry.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 15, 2024
It has been trendy lately to write books on pastoral self care since recent studies are exposing the apparent perils of ministry. For instance, it is reported at 80 percent of pastors do not last 10 years in the ministry. (p.10). Sometimes I wonder if these numbers are somehow inflated, because most of the pastors that I know have been laboring faithfully for many years. And while pastoral ministry definitely has its unique challenges, I would say the same goes for every profession. I can't imagine the stress that police officers, teachers and emergency room physicians are under.
What appealed to me about this book was the emphasis on being "unhurried," based on Eugene Peterson's chapter years ago titled "The Unbusy Pastor." It is true that pastors can become so frantically busy that they neglect the few things that are most needful -- preparing to preach, engaging in prayer, and loving people. This book is an encouraging reminder to prioritize these tasks. After all, pastors are paid to pray! (p.89).
My own personal struggle with this book is that it seemed like all of the other pastoral self-help books I have read (with their urgings to read the Bible, get sleep, take your day off, eat right, make friends), but just with the unhurried motif spread over the top like icing on a cake.
The three chapters that were most helpful to me were the ones on prayer (it's like "water in the garden of our soul" -- p.91); the one on humility (as Ps 131 warns, pastors can stand to "lower their eyes" and not occupy themselves with things too great); and also the chapter on silence. This in fact was the chapter that seemed most uniquely related to the challenge of being unhurried. How often do we move frantically about simply because we can't stand to listen to our own hearts in a place of silence? Would it be possible for me to just sit in silence for an hour? For a whole day? Let's just say I'm not looking forward to trying.
I feel like 3 stars might be too hard on this book, because it did inspire me to act on some things. And if you haven't read any books yet on helping pastors sustain their ministry over the long haul, this is as good of a place to start as any. But if you have read such books already, you might not find a lot new in this one.
What appealed to me about this book was the emphasis on being "unhurried," based on Eugene Peterson's chapter years ago titled "The Unbusy Pastor." It is true that pastors can become so frantically busy that they neglect the few things that are most needful -- preparing to preach, engaging in prayer, and loving people. This book is an encouraging reminder to prioritize these tasks. After all, pastors are paid to pray! (p.89).
My own personal struggle with this book is that it seemed like all of the other pastoral self-help books I have read (with their urgings to read the Bible, get sleep, take your day off, eat right, make friends), but just with the unhurried motif spread over the top like icing on a cake.
The three chapters that were most helpful to me were the ones on prayer (it's like "water in the garden of our soul" -- p.91); the one on humility (as Ps 131 warns, pastors can stand to "lower their eyes" and not occupy themselves with things too great); and also the chapter on silence. This in fact was the chapter that seemed most uniquely related to the challenge of being unhurried. How often do we move frantically about simply because we can't stand to listen to our own hearts in a place of silence? Would it be possible for me to just sit in silence for an hour? For a whole day? Let's just say I'm not looking forward to trying.
I feel like 3 stars might be too hard on this book, because it did inspire me to act on some things. And if you haven't read any books yet on helping pastors sustain their ministry over the long haul, this is as good of a place to start as any. But if you have read such books already, you might not find a lot new in this one.
August 7, 2024
A very timely, practical read. The authors did not necessarily teach me anything I didn't already know. However, they reminded me of essential truths that must not be forgotten in the life of a pastor/leader. The Appendix alone was worth the price of the book.
February 17, 2025
Recomiendo a toda persona en el ministerio cristiano a leer y ver las maneras de aplicar a su vida estos conceptos.
April 24, 2024
Pastoral ministry moves at a breakneck pace. Tragically, many pastors begin their ministries in crisis mode and never turn back. The results are usually devastating. Some pastors leave the ministry, discouraged. Others succumb to sin and leave the ministry defeated.
Brian Croft and Ronnie Martin’s book, The Unhurried Pastor is a helpful antidote for busy pastors. The subtitle accurately reflects the intent of the authors: Redefining Productivity for a More Sustainable Ministy. Croft and Martin offer gracious encouragement for men who need to reevaluate and recharge to gain solid footing in their ministries.
The authors provide practical help and tools for pastors to consider, all of which are grounded in Scripture. A helpful appendix is included that helps pastors evaluate various factors including communion, contemplation, and commencement. This valuable tool will enable men to honestly assess their ministries and move forward in health and vitality.
Praise the Lord for two men of God who see the struggles that many pastors face. May many be encouraged as their wade into the calm “waters” of this excellent book.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
Brian Croft and Ronnie Martin’s book, The Unhurried Pastor is a helpful antidote for busy pastors. The subtitle accurately reflects the intent of the authors: Redefining Productivity for a More Sustainable Ministy. Croft and Martin offer gracious encouragement for men who need to reevaluate and recharge to gain solid footing in their ministries.
The authors provide practical help and tools for pastors to consider, all of which are grounded in Scripture. A helpful appendix is included that helps pastors evaluate various factors including communion, contemplation, and commencement. This valuable tool will enable men to honestly assess their ministries and move forward in health and vitality.
Praise the Lord for two men of God who see the struggles that many pastors face. May many be encouraged as their wade into the calm “waters” of this excellent book.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
April 21, 2025
A decent look at the problems pastors face in trying to be super heroes in their calling and burning themselves out with business. The book deals with learning to face the human limitations we all have and find time for looking after yourself. Helpful for pastors everywhere.
November 7, 2025
I am regularly in need of a reminders to examine my walk as a person and a pastor, and I am grateful for a priority of late in books focusing on that topic. This book is one of them, and I specifically appreciated the chapters on “silence” and “friendship” as I examine my own walk with Christ.
August 7, 2024
Helpful. Reading alongside.
February 3, 2025
A balm in a busy season; every pastor should read this regularly.
November 25, 2025
I enjoyed this one! So practical and genuine. There were a couple moments where I felt seen and understood thanks to these gentlemen's experience. I liked more parts than others, but was great overall. There were chapters in here that I'd file under, "wish-I-read-this-before-ministry."
June 21, 2024
This was the perfect sabbatical read. Tremendous balance of compassion and contention. I love seeing folks fight to reclaim God’s design for rest, rhythms, and rule of life.
October 31, 2024
The title of this book literally jumped out at me when I saw it on a shelf. While ministry is a strange beast that allows you days when you can do nothing but read in the midst of weeks or months where you feel a constant state of hurriedness, it is that I am aware of how unsteady my hurried heart can be in the still moments that drew me to read this. The fact it took me 3 months to read the first 10 pages & then one day to read the rest is indicative of the strange beast already mentioned, but also the content of this book being so helpful to a hurried heart. Grateful for the title, and will be seeking to implement parts of it for myself and others. Chapter 4 especially was very well written and shaped, that alone was worth the full read. It felt a little disconnected in last part with a separate author, but still beneficial over all!
December 30, 2025
A solid, helpful read, though it didn’t completely grab me at first. The opening chapters felt a bit slow and hard to get into, but I’m glad I stuck with it—the second half really picked up and offered a lot of practical wisdom for ministry and soul care. It’s not a life-changing book, but it’s definitely a worthwhile and encouraging read for pastors who need the reminder to slow down and trust God’s pace. I’d recommend it overall.
May 17, 2024
It's generally acknowledged in Christian circles that being a pastor is an incredibly demanding job, and that it's difficult to balance the always-on pressures of ministry with personal needs. For example, people talk a lot about how important it is for pastors to spend time with their families instead of sacrificing their spouses and children for ministry, but the demands of pastoral labor and the urgency of church members' emergencies can override pastors' good intentions. In this book, Brian Croft and Ronnie Martin dig deeply into what it looks like for pastors to choose a less hurried pace of life. They encourage pastors to remember that they are not superhuman, and that regardless of their ministry titles, their core identity is that God created them and loves them.
Croft and Martin challenge readers to accept and honor their human limitations, and they share examples from Scripture and their own lives to illustrate different points. They emphasize how important it is for pastors to cultivate their own spiritual lives, instead of just pouring into others, and they explore ways that pastors can slow down and adopt a less hurried pace through character traits like humility and self-awareness, and through practices such as silence and contemplation, prayer, rest, and friendship. This book also addresses the importance of men respecting and dealing with their emotions, instead of stuffing their feelings through the culturally encouraged approach of self-reliance and stoicism.
The authors care deeply about discouraged and burnt out pastors, and they share advice and wisdom in a caring, gentle way. I appreciate their honesty about their own struggles, and they share a refreshing perspective on core practices for mental, physical, and spiritual wellness. My only critique is that this book focuses primarily on a pastor's self-imposed burdens, without providing much insight into how a pastor can engage with other people's unhealthy demands and expectations. The authors write about the difficulties of church life, acknowledging how hard it can be for pastors to deal with harshly critical church members and cases with toxic leadership teams, but I wish that this book had included advice for how pastors can best advocate for themselves in or depart from environments where people resist any attempts at boundary-setting and expect the pastor to bear an impossible workload.
The Unhurried Pastor is a thoughtful, encouraging book about a common problem, and I would recommend this to an even broader audience than the title indicates. Although the authors wrote this book for vocational pastors, the core message and many of the examples will also apply to men and women in volunteer positions at church, Christian nonprofit work, and other fields of ministry. Many people will benefit from this book's thoughtful diagnosis of a common problem, and from the practical steps that the authors recommend towards greater wellness and ministry sustainability.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Croft and Martin challenge readers to accept and honor their human limitations, and they share examples from Scripture and their own lives to illustrate different points. They emphasize how important it is for pastors to cultivate their own spiritual lives, instead of just pouring into others, and they explore ways that pastors can slow down and adopt a less hurried pace through character traits like humility and self-awareness, and through practices such as silence and contemplation, prayer, rest, and friendship. This book also addresses the importance of men respecting and dealing with their emotions, instead of stuffing their feelings through the culturally encouraged approach of self-reliance and stoicism.
The authors care deeply about discouraged and burnt out pastors, and they share advice and wisdom in a caring, gentle way. I appreciate their honesty about their own struggles, and they share a refreshing perspective on core practices for mental, physical, and spiritual wellness. My only critique is that this book focuses primarily on a pastor's self-imposed burdens, without providing much insight into how a pastor can engage with other people's unhealthy demands and expectations. The authors write about the difficulties of church life, acknowledging how hard it can be for pastors to deal with harshly critical church members and cases with toxic leadership teams, but I wish that this book had included advice for how pastors can best advocate for themselves in or depart from environments where people resist any attempts at boundary-setting and expect the pastor to bear an impossible workload.
The Unhurried Pastor is a thoughtful, encouraging book about a common problem, and I would recommend this to an even broader audience than the title indicates. Although the authors wrote this book for vocational pastors, the core message and many of the examples will also apply to men and women in volunteer positions at church, Christian nonprofit work, and other fields of ministry. Many people will benefit from this book's thoughtful diagnosis of a common problem, and from the practical steps that the authors recommend towards greater wellness and ministry sustainability.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 9, 2025
Gesamtzusammenfassung des Buches
"The Unhurried Pastor" von Brian Croft und Ronnie Martin ist ein praktischer und theologischer Leitfaden, der sich mit der weitverbreiteten Krise des Burnouts unter Pastoren auseinandersetzt. Die Autoren argumentieren, dass das moderne Verständnis des pastoralen Dienstes oft von einem unhaltbaren Tempo der Geschäftigkeit, Hektik und leistungsorientierten Produktivität geprägt ist, was viele Pastoren an den Rand ihrer Kräfte treibt. Das Buch stellt die These auf, dass die Wurzel dieses Problems in der Unfähigkeit von Pastoren liegt, ihre von Gott gegebenen menschlichen Grenzen zu akzeptieren und anzunehmen.
Als Gegenentwurf plädieren die Autoren, inspiriert durch das Werk von Eugene Peterson, für ein Umdenken: weg von der reinen Fokussierung auf das „Tun“ hin zu einer Priorisierung des „Seins“. Wahre, geistliche Fruchtbarkeit und ein langlebiger, freudvoller Dienst entstehen nicht durch mehr Aktivität, sondern durch die Kultivierung eines gemächlichen, besinnlichen Lebensstils. Das Buch gliedert sich in drei Teile und führt den Leser durch die notwendige Vorbereitung (Menschlichkeit, Demut, Hoffnung), die Umsetzung durch geistliche Praktiken (Selbstbewusstsein, Betrachtung, Gebet) und das bewusste Verfolgen eines nachhaltigen Dienstes (Selbstpflege, Ruhe, Schweigen, Emotionen, Freundschaft). Es ist ein Appell, die Art und Weise, wie Pastoren ihren Dienst verrichten, neu zu definieren, um so Freude und Ausdauer in ihrer Berufung zu finden.
"The Unhurried Pastor" von Brian Croft und Ronnie Martin ist ein praktischer und theologischer Leitfaden, der sich mit der weitverbreiteten Krise des Burnouts unter Pastoren auseinandersetzt. Die Autoren argumentieren, dass das moderne Verständnis des pastoralen Dienstes oft von einem unhaltbaren Tempo der Geschäftigkeit, Hektik und leistungsorientierten Produktivität geprägt ist, was viele Pastoren an den Rand ihrer Kräfte treibt. Das Buch stellt die These auf, dass die Wurzel dieses Problems in der Unfähigkeit von Pastoren liegt, ihre von Gott gegebenen menschlichen Grenzen zu akzeptieren und anzunehmen.
Als Gegenentwurf plädieren die Autoren, inspiriert durch das Werk von Eugene Peterson, für ein Umdenken: weg von der reinen Fokussierung auf das „Tun“ hin zu einer Priorisierung des „Seins“. Wahre, geistliche Fruchtbarkeit und ein langlebiger, freudvoller Dienst entstehen nicht durch mehr Aktivität, sondern durch die Kultivierung eines gemächlichen, besinnlichen Lebensstils. Das Buch gliedert sich in drei Teile und führt den Leser durch die notwendige Vorbereitung (Menschlichkeit, Demut, Hoffnung), die Umsetzung durch geistliche Praktiken (Selbstbewusstsein, Betrachtung, Gebet) und das bewusste Verfolgen eines nachhaltigen Dienstes (Selbstpflege, Ruhe, Schweigen, Emotionen, Freundschaft). Es ist ein Appell, die Art und Weise, wie Pastoren ihren Dienst verrichten, neu zu definieren, um so Freude und Ausdauer in ihrer Berufung zu finden.
July 15, 2024
I think 3.5 would be fair, but it did not quite find its way to me. It raised expectations with invoking Eugene Peterson as inspiration and then became more of a self-help book that repeated many decent suggestions but did not fully embrace the unhurried/unbusy setup.
I thought the chapters on prayer and the importance of friendship with other ministers were good reminders and the acknowledgment of our hurried pastoral culture was accurate, but nothing really stood out as either fresh or memorable to embrace as personal practice.
The strongest aspect of the book is that it faithfully points readers back to Peterson’s important writing around this topic that may have been missed by many pastors.
I thought the chapters on prayer and the importance of friendship with other ministers were good reminders and the acknowledgment of our hurried pastoral culture was accurate, but nothing really stood out as either fresh or memorable to embrace as personal practice.
The strongest aspect of the book is that it faithfully points readers back to Peterson’s important writing around this topic that may have been missed by many pastors.
May 10, 2025
A loaner book during my sabbatical. I appreciate the call to greater intentionality to “be” and not simply “do”. There are some helpful elements - I especially resonated with one of the author’s writings on silence (how pastors tend to be uncomfortable with silence, because it is in silence that the negative voices in our lives can be heard most clearly). Moving beyond the barriers, and redeeming healthy spiritual discipline is critical. As a side note, this book’s unstated but clear presumption that all pastors are men was a bit of a distraction for me, but overall it was helpful.
June 13, 2024
Simple, straightforward encouragements that were great to be reminded of from two guys who have street cred in pastoral ministry. I'm not sure what I'll change about daily life from this, but the overall reminder of being finite, being present, seeking humility, and the numerous cautions about subtle pride were very helpful.
August 28, 2024
A fine book by devoted men. However, if you've read Eugene Peterson, especially his 4 part Pastoral Series, this may be familiar territory. That said, Croft and his co-writers have provided several encouraging (and short) resources for me these past few years, and "The Unhurried Pastor" is a nice addition.
December 9, 2024
Great book for Pastors who are hurried.
Pastoral ministry sometimes feels like a 24/7 affair. This book reminded me that doing less actually allows you to do more (and be more effective). If you need a reminder of your own humanity in ministry, then this is a good read for you. It will help you in the long haul known as ministry.
Pastoral ministry sometimes feels like a 24/7 affair. This book reminded me that doing less actually allows you to do more (and be more effective). If you need a reminder of your own humanity in ministry, then this is a good read for you. It will help you in the long haul known as ministry.
January 9, 2025
Croft and Martin do a good job bringing to light the struggles of many pastors when it comes to soul care. Very practical information. While there is nothing really ‘new’ the content serves as a great reminder that for pastors to care for the souls of others well they must care well for their own souls too.
March 20, 2025
Not quite as good as I'd hoped - I think the Pastor's Soul was better, and covered much of the same ground. Not at all bad, and worth reading, particularly if you haven't read The Pastor's Soul. It's kind hearted and focused on effective pastoral ministry that is sustainable. As they note early on, they've taken a direction from Eugene Peterson thinking - I'm going to turn to him next.
August 20, 2025
Medicine for the Soul
I’ve followed Brian Croft and Ronnie Martin from the distance. A few months ago this book came up as a recommendation. I intentionally decided to read it on my sabbatical. It has been exactly what I needed. I thank God for this work, and pray that it impacts other pastors in their pursuit of a fulfilling and Christ exalting ministry.
I’ve followed Brian Croft and Ronnie Martin from the distance. A few months ago this book came up as a recommendation. I intentionally decided to read it on my sabbatical. It has been exactly what I needed. I thank God for this work, and pray that it impacts other pastors in their pursuit of a fulfilling and Christ exalting ministry.
November 17, 2025
I love the vision of pastoral ministry that this book puts forth. I think it is a needed word in a world where most of the pastor's time is filled with business and productivity. I did feel like something was missing. I wished the vision of the unhurried pastor's life was grander than simply being less stressed or busy.
December 10, 2025
This has been a gradual read over much of the year alongside a group of other local ministers. Some of it I have kicked against (part of me resists their assumed definition of a pastor and the pastor's role) but nevertheless, by the end I have gained a lot from it, partly through its content and partly from the discussions that arose from it.
June 30, 2024
This book is written for male leadership within church. As a female leading in full-time ministry, we face the same challenges!!
But in saying this, the advice within the book is challenging and thought-provoking.
But in saying this, the advice within the book is challenging and thought-provoking.
July 25, 2024
Great book
I think this is a crucial book in our day of constant busyness and hurry. The book provides great direction for how pastors can focus on the one thing needed so that they may flourish and thrive not only as a pastor but as a person
I think this is a crucial book in our day of constant busyness and hurry. The book provides great direction for how pastors can focus on the one thing needed so that they may flourish and thrive not only as a pastor but as a person
July 19, 2024
Some really great and helpful things, along with a few things I was less convinced by - but overall worth the read. (Will be flicking back through it to see what I underlined in a couple of days.)
January 2, 2025
Very helpful. Practical and biblical.
February 15, 2025
Not a bad read. Good reminders for patience in life and pastoring, as well as a call to constant prayer.
July 25, 2025
I really loved this book and am hoping our family can implement all of these things.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews