The Resilient Pastor: Ten Principles for Developing Pastoral Resilience

by Mark A. Searby, Lyle Wesley Dorsett (Foreword)

Ministry is challenging, complex, and costly. Too many pastors and church leaders are getting spread thin, burned out, and walking away! In an ever-changing church culture that includes social media, blurred denominational lines, and an increased demand for relational ministry, many pastors are feeling overwhelmed, becoming discouraged, and dropping out of leadership roles. You may be one of them--but you are not ready to give up. The Resilient Pastor will help you to focus on character development and spiritual formation as a Christian leader, engaging the challenges of ministry with passion and perseverance. You will explore ten principles for developing pastoral resilience and consider biblical examples as well as testimonies from contemporary leaders as you lay the foundation for becoming a resilient leader. This journey through The Resilient Pastor will be worth your time as an individual leader or in a small group context with other pastors. ""In The Resilient Pastor, Dr. Mark Searby gracefully weds his experiences as pastor, counselor, educator, and mentor. Filled with sage advice, sound practices, and helpful illustrations, The Resilient Pastor speaks to the needs of those involved in the daily grind of ministry life. Though ministry may be messy, Dr. Searby provides a path to healthy longevity in our calling."" --Chuck Sackett, Senior Pastor, Madison Park Christian Church, Quincy, IL and Professor-at-Large, Lincoln Christian Seminary, Lincoln, IL ""Every church leader, whether just beginning or well down the road of the ministry journey, will benefit from learning and applying the ten principles outlined in The Resilient Pastor. With practical insights . . . [a] compassionate and wise heart . . . and the biblical depth of a mature Christian leader, Searby shows us the way to growth, vitality, and joy. If you have hit a tough patch but you long to finish the ministry journey well, this volume lights up the path. I heartily recommend The Resilient Pastor."" --Tim McCoy, Senior Pastor, Ingleside Baptist Church, Macon, Georgia ""'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.' Dr. Mark Searby's The Resilient Pastor is a work that seeks to help pastors embody these words and finish their ministries well. Loaded with rich theological reflections and pertinent personal examples, The Resilient Pastor is a robust yet accessible work that will profit pastors for years to come. I am deeply grateful for Dr. Mark Searby's offering in this work."" --Blake Jenkins, Associate College Minister, Calvary Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, AL Mark A. Searby is the Director of Doctor of Ministry Studies at Beeson Divinity School, Samford University, in Birmingham, Alabama. He served in pastoral ministry for twenty-four years and has taught pastoral leadership for twenty years. He regularly serves as an interim pastor. Mark mentors young pastors and other Christian leaders through his position as lead consultant with Peacewood Consulting Services.

194 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 2015

Reviews

[Gary Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Pastor Must Read

Mark Searby has done the Church in America and the Kingdom of God a service by taking on this important subject. This book is insightful and practical for anyone who has or is serving the Church.

[Bob Ayres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for pastors and others in ministry. I actually plan to read it a second time to let the information sink in more completely. Highly recommended.

[Ryan Linkous · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Searby's book has an admirable and much needed goal: help cultivate pastors who will be resilient and will last for the duration of their lives. He helpfully draws upon leadership studies/psychology and scripture to formulate principles for resiliency. Knowing Dr. Searby personally, I know his own life experience and consultation with many pastors over the years confirms his insights.

This book is not mind blowing, but it will be helpful for anyone seeking to go the distance. One of the benefits of this book is the synthesis he provides of many research studies and resources.

Searby is particularly strong in 1) critiquing pastoral culture and 2) helping the pastor become self-aware so that he avoids emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual burnout.

Some of his methods do seem to depend upon worldly aids (for example, taking online spiritual gift tests), but many of his tools are beneficial. Just because they are not explicitly Christian techniques does not make them invalid for counseling and spiritual growth.

[Henrik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a fantastic book on pastoral ministry and leadership with many practical tips and tools. Definitely a book I recommend to anyone who's called to serve as a pastor and want to develop resilience in ministry.

This is a book I will pick up and read again and use in my own development and teaching.

Thanks to Mark Searby for a great book!