High Calling High Anxiety: Advice from James for Managing Stress in Ministry

by O.S. Hawkins

Advice from James for Managing Stress in Ministry. Forward by Kenneth H. Cooper, MD Published by the Annuity Board, Southern Baptist Convention

115 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book written for pastors by a pastor who is also the head of the Southern Baptist retirement and healthcare organization. Being a pastor is an incredibly stressful job as Hawkins repeatedly points out. A pastor is a public figure who is held to a higher standard and who has to walk with his parishioners during their most stressful times (marriage, childbirth, illness, death, divorce, etc). Due to the time commitment involved, most pastors don't take care of themselves. Sometimes they don't have time for their own families who also share the spotlight and expectations.

While Hawkins points out how to view stress, he doesn't have a lot of suggestions on actions to take other than to eat right and exercise. A few more concrete ideas would be useful here, especially for pastors of small churches who can't delegate some of the pastoral responsibilities to other staff and interns.

However, Stress and anxiety is certainly not limited to just pastors. People in any vocation can glean some tips on how to view stress in a positive light.

[Dan Mingo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read overall addressing good stress and anxiety in your ministry calling. Applies a lot more to higher level positions, but had some applicable information for my role or on how I should view other roles.

[Larry Lindow · Rating 3 out of 5]

an encouraging book for pastors . An opportunity to evaluate what is important in your ministry and why you are doing it.