What do you think?
Rate this book
Mad Church Disease: Overcoming the Burnout Epidemic
Growing up the daughter of a pastor, Anne Jackson experienced firsthand the conflict, stress, and struggle church leaders often face. She vowed her life in ministry would be different. Yet, years later, as a church leader, she was hospitalized because stress began wreaking havoc on her body. After being released from the hospital, an associate pastor asked her, 'Does working at this church interfere with your communion with Christ?' The question was paramount in turning her life around. Thinking she wasn't alone, Anne developed a website that allowed church leaders to share their struggles. Within a few days, she was flooded with over a thousand responses from people pouring out their stories of burnout. Using anecdotal parallels between Mad Cow Disease and leadership trends in the church, she writes not only to help us realize what church leaders are facing, but also to provide practical and positive treatment plans. Mad Church Disease is a lively, informative, and potentially life-saving resource for anyone in ministry---vocational or volunteer---who would like to understand, prevent, or treat the epidemic of burnout in church culture.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
36 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Anne Jackson
25 books3 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
also publishes under the name Anne Marie Miller
also publishes under the name Anne Marie Miller
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 21, 2014
I bought this book from a local Christian bookstore that was closing down. There were many on the shelf which I thought could mean either it A) wasn't popular and nobody bought it or B) was very popular and the bookstore felt the need to once stock many in their shop.
It was kind of an impulse buy as my son ran crazy through the store. I didn't have time to scan it for reviews - in fact I barely had time to read the blurb. It was heavily discounted so I took the chance. That and a friend had been concerned that I had taken up too many things at Church plus a few extra curricular activities and therefore I was going to burnout.
I was convincing myself I was burning out, but after reading this book I realised that I wasn't. Which is good. HOWEVER, I did also need to put some measures in place to ensure that I didn't burn out in the long run.
What I loved so much about this book is that it wasn't just relative to people who work in a church or ministry setting. In fact, I volunteer at church but still found it highly relatable. The information provided in this book can be adapted to any 'work' situation. There are also really helpful thought provoking questions at the end of each chapter. The book doesn't solely focus on the spiritual - there's a lot of interesting facts about stress and the human body - I felt like I was learning something and there were a lot of "aha!" moments.
Anne Jackson;s character comes out in this book. She tells little stories relating to burnout which really had me hooked and eager to keep reading. She is insanely talented in her writing and I'd love to have a coffee with her and joke around - she seems like the kind of woman I'd get along with.
So in conclusion - I'm thankful I picked up this heavily discounted book in an impulse buy. Five Stars for sure.
(oh, and one more thing. Jackson is American, but what I thought was really cool is she pulled some of her facts from betterhealth.vic.gov.au!)
It was kind of an impulse buy as my son ran crazy through the store. I didn't have time to scan it for reviews - in fact I barely had time to read the blurb. It was heavily discounted so I took the chance. That and a friend had been concerned that I had taken up too many things at Church plus a few extra curricular activities and therefore I was going to burnout.
I was convincing myself I was burning out, but after reading this book I realised that I wasn't. Which is good. HOWEVER, I did also need to put some measures in place to ensure that I didn't burn out in the long run.
What I loved so much about this book is that it wasn't just relative to people who work in a church or ministry setting. In fact, I volunteer at church but still found it highly relatable. The information provided in this book can be adapted to any 'work' situation. There are also really helpful thought provoking questions at the end of each chapter. The book doesn't solely focus on the spiritual - there's a lot of interesting facts about stress and the human body - I felt like I was learning something and there were a lot of "aha!" moments.
Anne Jackson;s character comes out in this book. She tells little stories relating to burnout which really had me hooked and eager to keep reading. She is insanely talented in her writing and I'd love to have a coffee with her and joke around - she seems like the kind of woman I'd get along with.
So in conclusion - I'm thankful I picked up this heavily discounted book in an impulse buy. Five Stars for sure.
(oh, and one more thing. Jackson is American, but what I thought was really cool is she pulled some of her facts from betterhealth.vic.gov.au!)
December 10, 2012
Book title: Mad Church Disease
Author: Anne Jackson
Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 2009
Number of pages: 190
Love Hurts, yeah, yeah (love hurts) says the J. Giles Band, and according to Anne Jackson, so does ministry. Having been in vocational ministry for fifteen plus years, I'd have to agree with both J. Giles (whoever he is) and Anne Jackson.
Jackson's book deals with burnout in ministry, particularly in full-time church work. Ideally, working on a church staff should be the safest place in the world to work. But one soon discovers that there are super-sized egos, personal agendas, micro-mis-managers, political maneuverings and mis-matched expectations at every turn. It shouldn't be this way, but it is. Every ministry has all or at least some of these to some extent sparking fires.
Jackson concludes that ministry burnout is a disease. Like swine flu ravaging passengers on an airplane, Mad Church Disease is an epidemic running unchecked in churches all across the country. Sadly, victims of burnout look for comfort and relief in sin rather than God or his people.
Studies and statistics abound in Jackson's book, as does wise advice from experienced ministers and ministry leaders. Grace also abounds for burnouts. And Jackson puts together some great exercises and discussion starters for those who are serious about overcoming the seemingly insurmountable challenges of ministry for the purpose of productively serving and loving God's people and equipping them for the work of the ministry.
Jackson presents her argument well. In fact, she's inspires the serious reader to take a personal inventory and responsibility for the way he or she works for the Lord and serves in church.
Jackson does a phenomenal job of recruiting well known pastors to punctuate each chapter's main point. In this book the reader hears from heavy hitters like Bill Hybels, Perry Noble, and Wayne Cordiero just to name a few.
If you work on a church staff, worked on a church staff, or want to work on a church staff, pick up this book. It helps put things in perspective. It will cause you to take off the rose-colored glasses. And it will help you to have a healthy and balanced approach to ministry.
http://mondokblog.blogspot.com/2009/1...
Author: Anne Jackson
Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 2009
Number of pages: 190
Love Hurts, yeah, yeah (love hurts) says the J. Giles Band, and according to Anne Jackson, so does ministry. Having been in vocational ministry for fifteen plus years, I'd have to agree with both J. Giles (whoever he is) and Anne Jackson.
Jackson's book deals with burnout in ministry, particularly in full-time church work. Ideally, working on a church staff should be the safest place in the world to work. But one soon discovers that there are super-sized egos, personal agendas, micro-mis-managers, political maneuverings and mis-matched expectations at every turn. It shouldn't be this way, but it is. Every ministry has all or at least some of these to some extent sparking fires.
Jackson concludes that ministry burnout is a disease. Like swine flu ravaging passengers on an airplane, Mad Church Disease is an epidemic running unchecked in churches all across the country. Sadly, victims of burnout look for comfort and relief in sin rather than God or his people.
Studies and statistics abound in Jackson's book, as does wise advice from experienced ministers and ministry leaders. Grace also abounds for burnouts. And Jackson puts together some great exercises and discussion starters for those who are serious about overcoming the seemingly insurmountable challenges of ministry for the purpose of productively serving and loving God's people and equipping them for the work of the ministry.
Jackson presents her argument well. In fact, she's inspires the serious reader to take a personal inventory and responsibility for the way he or she works for the Lord and serves in church.
Jackson does a phenomenal job of recruiting well known pastors to punctuate each chapter's main point. In this book the reader hears from heavy hitters like Bill Hybels, Perry Noble, and Wayne Cordiero just to name a few.
If you work on a church staff, worked on a church staff, or want to work on a church staff, pick up this book. It helps put things in perspective. It will cause you to take off the rose-colored glasses. And it will help you to have a healthy and balanced approach to ministry.
http://mondokblog.blogspot.com/2009/1...
April 2, 2009
This book is about burnout. Not a topic that many have covered. I am not even sure if there are other books on this topic, available for people who work in ministry.
Also, it was great to hear Anne Jackson’s heart about the church. And the cover art sold the book to me. I love great designs (can’t do them but recognize them when I see them) and this one truly is great. In a few chapters of this book, she has interviews with other pastors or those who work closely in ministry. This was probably my favorite part of the book.
Some quotes worth sharing:
“We often don’t know how God is using us. We only need to know that he is - and respond with grateful hearts.” - p. 76
“If Jesus failed to establish boundaries but devoted himself instead to the things right in front of him, the rest of the world would suffer. In the same way, we have to look at the entire kingdom picture when we review our to-do lists.” - p. 115
She pointed to Watchman Nee’s book, Sit, Walk, Stand, and quoted him as saying, “Where God worked six days and then enjoyed his Sabbath rest, Adam began his life with the Sabbath; for God works before he rests, while man must first enter into God’s rest, and then alone can he work.” - p. 179
And finally, “We cannot be dependent on ourselves and on God at the same time. When we consider the practice of rest unnecessary, we will also inevitably lose sight of the necessity of God.” - p. 181
This is a good, basic book on what burnout looks like and how we can improve our chances of staying away from it. I believe most people, especially those in ministry, should pick up this book and be reminded of some very common knowledge that is simply always taken for granted.
Also, it was great to hear Anne Jackson’s heart about the church. And the cover art sold the book to me. I love great designs (can’t do them but recognize them when I see them) and this one truly is great. In a few chapters of this book, she has interviews with other pastors or those who work closely in ministry. This was probably my favorite part of the book.
Some quotes worth sharing:
“We often don’t know how God is using us. We only need to know that he is - and respond with grateful hearts.” - p. 76
“If Jesus failed to establish boundaries but devoted himself instead to the things right in front of him, the rest of the world would suffer. In the same way, we have to look at the entire kingdom picture when we review our to-do lists.” - p. 115
She pointed to Watchman Nee’s book, Sit, Walk, Stand, and quoted him as saying, “Where God worked six days and then enjoyed his Sabbath rest, Adam began his life with the Sabbath; for God works before he rests, while man must first enter into God’s rest, and then alone can he work.” - p. 179
And finally, “We cannot be dependent on ourselves and on God at the same time. When we consider the practice of rest unnecessary, we will also inevitably lose sight of the necessity of God.” - p. 181
This is a good, basic book on what burnout looks like and how we can improve our chances of staying away from it. I believe most people, especially those in ministry, should pick up this book and be reminded of some very common knowledge that is simply always taken for granted.
March 17, 2014
Imagine you work at a church.
Now imagine you’re burned out.
But I repeat myself.
All right, I admit, that’s a ripoff of an old Mark Twain joke. I mean…it’s an homage to an old Mark Twain joke.
Mad Church Disease by Anne Miller (pen name: Anne Jackson) is a book by someone who has worked in ministry for people who are working in ministry. As the title says, it’s about overcoming the burnout epidemic and I can attest that it is an epidemic.
I was advised by a friend, who currently pastors a church, to read this after I left my third church. I had been an elder, head elder, deacon, and finally small group leader before I left that third church. None of the positions were paid positions and my burnout wasn’t from overwork, but resulted from a struggle to understand what was going on. I understand now that God was using those situations for my growth, but when you’re going through it, it doesn’t feel growth. It feels an awful like you’re banging your head against the wall and others are lining up to watch your head explode.
Mad Church Disease tells Anne’s own story and offers a lot of practical advice on how to handle burnout. Anne covers identifying the problem, are you at risk, and paths to recovery. On the surface it’s not a lot different from other books on dealing with stress and burnout except that this one aims at the specific group of church workers.
Those who take a call to ministry often feel as though burnout should not be part of the equation. After all, you’re doing the Lord’s work, right? Shouldn’t he protect you from burnout? Sadly, and Anne shows this through several examples, even church workers suffer burnout, but then if you work at a church, you already know this. If you don’t know this, and you work at a church, you might want to read the book and maybe you can avoid it altogether.
The one drawback to the book is that Anne’s experience comes from working at a mega-church and specifically under Craig Groeschel. Groeschel’s church, Life Church, as the look and feel of a corporation and so burn out might be expected. One of the interviewee’s of her book is Perry Noble who spends a lot of his messages beating up on the congregants and so I can imagine that working for him could be stressful. However, my experience in small churches leads me to believe that the problem is pretty much the same in small churches. Burnout doesn’t require a corporation sized mega-church, all it requires is someone willing to work themselves to death for a good cause.
Mad Church Disease offers plenty of introspective questions, simple solutions, and Biblical backup to make it practical help in the war against burnout. If you work in a church it’s worth the read. If you know someone who works in a church, it would make a good gift.
Anne Miller has recently reacquired the full rights to the book and has started expanding on it through her blog at annemariemiller.com
Read more of my book reviews http://cliffymania.com/blog/book-revi...
Now imagine you’re burned out.
But I repeat myself.
All right, I admit, that’s a ripoff of an old Mark Twain joke. I mean…it’s an homage to an old Mark Twain joke.
Mad Church Disease by Anne Miller (pen name: Anne Jackson) is a book by someone who has worked in ministry for people who are working in ministry. As the title says, it’s about overcoming the burnout epidemic and I can attest that it is an epidemic.
I was advised by a friend, who currently pastors a church, to read this after I left my third church. I had been an elder, head elder, deacon, and finally small group leader before I left that third church. None of the positions were paid positions and my burnout wasn’t from overwork, but resulted from a struggle to understand what was going on. I understand now that God was using those situations for my growth, but when you’re going through it, it doesn’t feel growth. It feels an awful like you’re banging your head against the wall and others are lining up to watch your head explode.
Mad Church Disease tells Anne’s own story and offers a lot of practical advice on how to handle burnout. Anne covers identifying the problem, are you at risk, and paths to recovery. On the surface it’s not a lot different from other books on dealing with stress and burnout except that this one aims at the specific group of church workers.
Those who take a call to ministry often feel as though burnout should not be part of the equation. After all, you’re doing the Lord’s work, right? Shouldn’t he protect you from burnout? Sadly, and Anne shows this through several examples, even church workers suffer burnout, but then if you work at a church, you already know this. If you don’t know this, and you work at a church, you might want to read the book and maybe you can avoid it altogether.
The one drawback to the book is that Anne’s experience comes from working at a mega-church and specifically under Craig Groeschel. Groeschel’s church, Life Church, as the look and feel of a corporation and so burn out might be expected. One of the interviewee’s of her book is Perry Noble who spends a lot of his messages beating up on the congregants and so I can imagine that working for him could be stressful. However, my experience in small churches leads me to believe that the problem is pretty much the same in small churches. Burnout doesn’t require a corporation sized mega-church, all it requires is someone willing to work themselves to death for a good cause.
Mad Church Disease offers plenty of introspective questions, simple solutions, and Biblical backup to make it practical help in the war against burnout. If you work in a church it’s worth the read. If you know someone who works in a church, it would make a good gift.
Anne Miller has recently reacquired the full rights to the book and has started expanding on it through her blog at annemariemiller.com
Read more of my book reviews http://cliffymania.com/blog/book-revi...
December 16, 2009
Great book on keeping God first in your life. Some of my favorite quotes:
I loved Jesus, but his church was wearing me out. “the way I was doing the work of God was destroying the work of God in my life.” Craig Groeschel
I gave God a choice that night (sixteen-year-olds are so smart!). Either I was going to part ways with the church entirely, or he was going to give me a way to help bring unity to the church.
I didn’t have the answer. But I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I was so wrapped up in doing, I had forgotten how to simply be.
If the leader is exhausted, then the people following that leader will feel exhausted. If the leader is wearing thin on hope, then people start losing hope too. If the leader gets pessimistic, everybody gets pessimistic. You see where this is going. I would hope we could find the kind of energy that comes only from the Holy Spirit so that we can sustain productive, Christ-honoring ministry over the long haul. Bill Hybels
Anne, your dreams are just too big for our church. Maybe it's time you found somewhere else you can dream.
I don’t do evening meetings, don’t schedule dinner meetings, and don’t have the elders meeting in the evening. We have those meetings early in the morning or at lunchtime. I get home around 5:15 every night, and that is practically set in stone. You should design your ministry around your family values. Craig Groeschel
Do you run to something that only covers up your pain? Something that allows you to hide in it? Or do you run to God?
“People are afraid to be amazing.” Penelope Trunk
Don’t get older; get better: Live realistically. Give generously. Adapt willingly. Trust fearlessly. Rejoice daily. Charles Swindoll
We cannot be dependent on ourselves and on God at the same time. When we consider the practice of rest unnecessary, we will also inevitably lose sight of the necessity of God.
I loved Jesus, but his church was wearing me out. “the way I was doing the work of God was destroying the work of God in my life.” Craig Groeschel
I gave God a choice that night (sixteen-year-olds are so smart!). Either I was going to part ways with the church entirely, or he was going to give me a way to help bring unity to the church.
I didn’t have the answer. But I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I was so wrapped up in doing, I had forgotten how to simply be.
If the leader is exhausted, then the people following that leader will feel exhausted. If the leader is wearing thin on hope, then people start losing hope too. If the leader gets pessimistic, everybody gets pessimistic. You see where this is going. I would hope we could find the kind of energy that comes only from the Holy Spirit so that we can sustain productive, Christ-honoring ministry over the long haul. Bill Hybels
Anne, your dreams are just too big for our church. Maybe it's time you found somewhere else you can dream.
I don’t do evening meetings, don’t schedule dinner meetings, and don’t have the elders meeting in the evening. We have those meetings early in the morning or at lunchtime. I get home around 5:15 every night, and that is practically set in stone. You should design your ministry around your family values. Craig Groeschel
Do you run to something that only covers up your pain? Something that allows you to hide in it? Or do you run to God?
“People are afraid to be amazing.” Penelope Trunk
Don’t get older; get better: Live realistically. Give generously. Adapt willingly. Trust fearlessly. Rejoice daily. Charles Swindoll
We cannot be dependent on ourselves and on God at the same time. When we consider the practice of rest unnecessary, we will also inevitably lose sight of the necessity of God.
June 14, 2013
Not necessarily do I agree with everything in this book, and it has some rough edges as far as the author's use of language, but in many ways, it was quite helpful. It gives a practical explanation of the risk of burnout to those in service/ministry roles, how to identify burnout, and what to do about it.
Here are some of the main points I took from the book:
We must "find the kind of energy that comes only from the Holy Spirit so that we can sustain productive, Christ-honoring ministry over the long haul." (p.44)
True service does not involve expending feverish energy (p.126) Sometimes we forget we are in a marathon, not a sprint.
Focus primarily on serving in areas where your main strengths/gifts are (p.101)
Our main purpose in life is (Mark 12):
1) Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
2) Love your neighbor as yourself. (To do this, you must first care for yourself and your own body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. II Cor 3:16-17)
(p.109-111)
If you are serving to the exclusion of either of these 2 things, your priorities are out of whack.
Jesus Christ knew how to say "no" (see the end of Luke 4). He also commanded the apostles to rest (Mark 6:31). He rested and went away from the masses to rejuvenate. We must also learn how to set boundaries in our lives. We can also rest WITH Christ/God in prayer and meditation time.
"When we create boundaries, we aren't saying to the world, 'I can't help you'. Instead, we're saying, 'I must focus intentionally on the specific things God has placed right now in my direct influence.'" (for example, dinner with the family rather than answering a phone call)
Taking a weekly Sabbath rest is important for physical and spiritual rejuvenation.
Here are some of the main points I took from the book:
We must "find the kind of energy that comes only from the Holy Spirit so that we can sustain productive, Christ-honoring ministry over the long haul." (p.44)
True service does not involve expending feverish energy (p.126) Sometimes we forget we are in a marathon, not a sprint.
Focus primarily on serving in areas where your main strengths/gifts are (p.101)
Our main purpose in life is (Mark 12):
1) Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
2) Love your neighbor as yourself. (To do this, you must first care for yourself and your own body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. II Cor 3:16-17)
(p.109-111)
If you are serving to the exclusion of either of these 2 things, your priorities are out of whack.
Jesus Christ knew how to say "no" (see the end of Luke 4). He also commanded the apostles to rest (Mark 6:31). He rested and went away from the masses to rejuvenate. We must also learn how to set boundaries in our lives. We can also rest WITH Christ/God in prayer and meditation time.
"When we create boundaries, we aren't saying to the world, 'I can't help you'. Instead, we're saying, 'I must focus intentionally on the specific things God has placed right now in my direct influence.'" (for example, dinner with the family rather than answering a phone call)
Taking a weekly Sabbath rest is important for physical and spiritual rejuvenation.
May 8, 2009
I haven't come across many books on this topic, and so I think it's an important read. Even if you don't think you are suffering from burnout, it just might help you understand the world of someone who is. A few stand out parts -
from the foreword from Craig Groeschel-
"...the way I was doing the work of God was destroying the work of God in my life."
P. 109-110
"...Are you trying to run the best children's ministry in the country? Are you attempting to grow your church by two hundred people this year? Are you trying to make your church's print pieces the slickest in town? Have the most amazing worship service?... You can be passionate about all these things. You can run hard after them. You can do them with excellence.
But if these things are your purpose, i hate to tell you this, but... You are chasing after the wrong thing! And if you are chasing after the wrong thing - you will burn out!
...The only way to get back on track is to change your purpose...
Mark 12:29-31
29 Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”"
And lastly, the Epilogue: resting in an abundant life has some great thoughts about rest, sabbath & real life.
from the foreword from Craig Groeschel-
"...the way I was doing the work of God was destroying the work of God in my life."
P. 109-110
"...Are you trying to run the best children's ministry in the country? Are you attempting to grow your church by two hundred people this year? Are you trying to make your church's print pieces the slickest in town? Have the most amazing worship service?... You can be passionate about all these things. You can run hard after them. You can do them with excellence.
But if these things are your purpose, i hate to tell you this, but... You are chasing after the wrong thing! And if you are chasing after the wrong thing - you will burn out!
...The only way to get back on track is to change your purpose...
Mark 12:29-31
29 Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”"
And lastly, the Epilogue: resting in an abundant life has some great thoughts about rest, sabbath & real life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2009
This book is great and please ignore the comment in the "discussion". The author of the discussion clearly has a chip on his shoulder for clergy abuse which anyone can read by looking at the back cover this book is NOT about. It is about personal responsibility and basic principles of health - yes, we all know them but we so often neglect them. Why do we have so many fat, tired, burned out church workers who are sleeping around, stealing money and leaving the church in droves? Because we do not take care of ourselves! Anne outlines the problem scripturally (John 10:10, Mark 12), talks about the Bible's outline for rest and sacrifice using Biblical examples and her own beautifully crafted story (she is a fine storyteller). It is both wise beyond her years (she is around 30 I think) and a prophetic voice of our generation. The interviews throughout the book are practical and well spoken of leaders who are older than she is (since some people like the person above seem to have an issue with it). Overall it is a solid book, has received rave reviews (just go look at Amazon!) by retailers, peers, and the CBA.
May 13, 2009
view full review at: http://www.zakwhite.com/2009/04/mad-c...
04.27.2009
Mad Church Disease
Categories: Books
Edit This
Knocked out another book of my 2009 Reading List.
The book was “Mad Church Disease: Overcoming the Burnout Epidemic” by Anne Jackson.
Anne’s book gives a real confession and information to help the reader diagnose burnout. She starts by sharing her own story of a long road towards burnout and how she prayed as a sixteen year old telling God that she would desert the church forever if He did not use her to unify it.
The book uses comparisons to mad cow disease and shows us how “mad church disease” can knock anyone out of ministry–not just pastors. Burnout affects all church staff and even volunteers at times.
Anne shares five principles of recovery and then takes the reader through some paths to recovery that include spiritual health, physical health, emotional health and relational health. The book is also full of practical exercises to help readers work through burnout and “second opinions” from others in ministry such as Bill Hybels.
04.27.2009
Mad Church Disease
Categories: Books
Edit This
Knocked out another book of my 2009 Reading List.
The book was “Mad Church Disease: Overcoming the Burnout Epidemic” by Anne Jackson.
Anne’s book gives a real confession and information to help the reader diagnose burnout. She starts by sharing her own story of a long road towards burnout and how she prayed as a sixteen year old telling God that she would desert the church forever if He did not use her to unify it.
The book uses comparisons to mad cow disease and shows us how “mad church disease” can knock anyone out of ministry–not just pastors. Burnout affects all church staff and even volunteers at times.
Anne shares five principles of recovery and then takes the reader through some paths to recovery that include spiritual health, physical health, emotional health and relational health. The book is also full of practical exercises to help readers work through burnout and “second opinions” from others in ministry such as Bill Hybels.
January 27, 2015
While the graphic design can occasionally be distracting, the content of this book on burnout for followers of Jesus (esp. clergy) is excellent. Anne Jackson is painfully honest about her own struggles with bitterness & burnout, which gives what she has to say credibility.
I found myself wishing that the interviews with folks like Greg Kinnaman and Craig Groeschel could have gone on longer... thankfully, Wayne Cordeiro has written his own book on burnout, Leading on Empty.
I'm personally finding Mad Church Disease to be a great help in setting course adjustments to avoid the Great Land of Suck that is ministerial burnout. (Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt.)
I found myself wishing that the interviews with folks like Greg Kinnaman and Craig Groeschel could have gone on longer... thankfully, Wayne Cordeiro has written his own book on burnout, Leading on Empty.
I'm personally finding Mad Church Disease to be a great help in setting course adjustments to avoid the Great Land of Suck that is ministerial burnout. (Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt.)
May 24, 2009
While this book is intended for people serving in full-time ministry, the ideas and principles Anne Jackson writes about could be applicable to many different people serving in different fields. In particular, those who are serving as volunteers in strategic positions within a church would benefit from this book.
The main concept that this talks about is the fact that ministry can be hard. Really hard. There's a common belief held that people in church should always be happy and that any problems a Christian would come across in life can be fixed simply by praying more, reading the Bible more, and just trusting God. This idea is applied even more fully to ministers. Anne Jackson debunks this myth. She writes about the real pain that can be caused by real, fallen people.
The main concept that this talks about is the fact that ministry can be hard. Really hard. There's a common belief held that people in church should always be happy and that any problems a Christian would come across in life can be fixed simply by praying more, reading the Bible more, and just trusting God. This idea is applied even more fully to ministers. Anne Jackson debunks this myth. She writes about the real pain that can be caused by real, fallen people.
June 26, 2009
So it took me a while to get through this book. Not because it wasn't good, but because it is a hard book to get through if you are serious about it. It is about real health and what it takes to get there. It is hard stuff. If you are concerned about burnout, or if you are concerned that others you know are burning out it is worth the effort. I have read it twice in the past couple months and probably will read it again in another couple months.
February 25, 2009
I passed this book on to my pastor, not because I thought he suffers from burn out, but as a resource for him to pass along to people he may know.
In reading this book, I discovered that I have most likely never suffered from burn out a day in my life, which was a great thing to know!
I have been reading Anne's blog for over a year and LOVE her work and her ministry.
In reading this book, I discovered that I have most likely never suffered from burn out a day in my life, which was a great thing to know!
I have been reading Anne's blog for over a year and LOVE her work and her ministry.
Want to read
November 23, 2011I am on page 58 of 190 pages. Only into Chapter two...taking it very seriously and answering the questions at the end of the chapters. I have also ordered her newest book about forgiveness and grace.
Read
August 3, 2011I thought that this was ok. She deals with the concept of overworking in the church. A good concept for ministers to deal with. It does not deal with all of the areas that ministers struggle with burnout though.
March 10, 2009
Awesome book. It hit me right where I was. Thank you Anne!
June 23, 2009
Wow - How applicable to those who serve in churches - On top of that - some very good counsel regarding physical, emotional and mental health for everyone.
September 10, 2009
A must have for every person in ministry!
May 8, 2010
If you've experienced rough and painful experiences in church I'd highly recommend reading this book. Very practical, asks the right questions and gives great encouragment.
February 11, 2014
Many many good things to remember about ministry and working in a church.
November 20, 2010
Suggested read about preventing burn out for anyone working in the church or in ministry
Read
July 31, 2011Fantastic book! If you are involved in church ministry as a volunteer or paid staff person you should read this book.
Read
July 31, 2011I wish I had found this book sooner- I highly recommend it to those who are in ministry- whether as a volunteer or on staff!
November 14, 2011
Jacksons gives some good insight and advice on how to deal and prevent burnout. She get's in your face about areas of our lives that we have conformed to suit the demands of ministry and people.
January 12, 2012
A book I'll probably have to go back to for the rest of my life!
March 27, 2013
This book came to my attention at a time when it was most needed and it certainly helped me to stick it out in a difficult situation.
September 2, 2013
Reading this book reminds one of how much we expect of our ministers, staff and volunteers. No wonder they burn out!
January 12, 2012
Re-reading this again...good stuff!
May 16, 2010
Another freebie on the Kindle. Thanks, Amazon.
April 24, 2019
Meaningful
The fact that I read the previous edition of this book and read it again (when I rarely re read books) speaks to its relevance and meaning to my life. I was impacted positively on both occasions. Miller highlights an important topic that affects persons involved in church ministry that is not discussed enough. Her use of disclosure to communicate her personal experience of the issues was an excellent foundation for sharing principles. I would highly recommend it to persons involved in church ministry.
The fact that I read the previous edition of this book and read it again (when I rarely re read books) speaks to its relevance and meaning to my life. I was impacted positively on both occasions. Miller highlights an important topic that affects persons involved in church ministry that is not discussed enough. Her use of disclosure to communicate her personal experience of the issues was an excellent foundation for sharing principles. I would highly recommend it to persons involved in church ministry.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews