Book: Uproar: Calm leadership in anxious times

Uproar: Calm Leadership in Anxious Times helps leaders understand the powerful impact that emotional processes have on the people they lead.

If “these are the times that test men’s souls,” never more than for the leader’s ability to think clearly, to be present calmly, and to challenge effectively. 

It’s a time when leaders cannot be as anxious as those they serve; otherwise, the system is leaderless. Anxiety flows down like water from a leaky pipe. To lead effectively we must understand the impact of powerful emotional forces on people’s behavior, especially in anxious times.

Peter Steinke, bestselling author of Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times draws on decades of work on system conflict and personal experiences to share real stories of challenges leaders have faced and how understanding the power of emotions has dramatically influenced their success. 

In this book, readers will observe important leadership characteristics such as separating oneself from the surrounding anxiety, making decisions based on principle and not instinct, taking responsibility for one’s own emotional being, staying connected to others including those who disagree with you, being a non-anxious presence, focusing on emotional processes rather than the symptoms they produce, knowing people naturally influence one another, and recognizing leader and follower as complements. 

At the end of each chapter, there is a Leader’s Notebook, a short section to illustrate, enrich or engage your thinking about leadership. 

As Steinke suggests, being anxious causes you to lose perspective, and leaders do their best thinking when they are not overly stressed and can think about options, doing their best work when they work on themselves. 

So where are you in your leadership journey? No matter where you are―beginning, middle or end― this book will be one the most significant leadership books you’ll read.

Resources: Faith and Lead

Faith and Lead:   Faith Leadership for Everyone

Faith and lead provides on-demand courses, live ministry workshops, learning communities, and peer support for congregations, pastors, lay workers, leaders  and members.

Resources available include

• live learning 
• on demand learning 
• Ebooks
• Podcasts
• Blogs

You can choose to have becoming a member giving you access to courses and resources for no further charge or you can pay a one off fee for a resource/course. 

They also offer a limited number of free courses and resources

Main Topics covered include:

• Bible
• Cultivate community
• Faith and contemporary issues
• Faith in daily life
• Faithful innovation
• Justice and service
• Ministry leadership
• Mission and Evangelism
• Rural Ministry
• Spiritual Practices
• Stewardship and Sustainability
• Theology and History 

Begin exploring faith and lead https://faithlead.org/

Book: Canoeing the Mountains

 Over 100,000 Copies Sold Worldwide!

Canoeing the mountains is a book to help Christian leaders to prepare for leading their church and ministries into the future.  

Explorers Lewis and Clark had to adapt. They had originally canoed up a waterway, and expected this waterway to continue all the way to the Pacific Ocean, instead they found themselves in the Rocky Mountains, with no water way.  So what got them to where they were was not going to help them for the next part of the journey.   You too may fe

el that you are leading in a cultural context you were not expecting. You may even feel that your training holds you back more often than it carries you along.

Drawing from his extensive experience as a pastor and consultant, Tod Bolsinger brings decades of expertise in guiding churches and organizations through uncharted territory. He offers a combination of illuminating insights and practical tools to help you reimagine what effective leadership looks like in our rapidly changing world.

If you're going to scale the mountains of ministry, you need to leave behind canoes and find new navigational tools. Now expanded with a study guide, this book will set you on the right course to lead with confidence and courage.

Reviews
Lutheran Church Workers

Andrew Fuller Blog

Journey UCA 

Book: Resilient Pastor by Glen Packiam

How can pastors become resilient in a rapidly changing world? Is it possible to love well and lead faithfully? In the wake of crises that have exposed and accelerated massive cultural shifts, we see more clearly the seismic shifts of post-Christendom, the surging storms of a new paganism and pluralism, and the scattered debris of the cultural aftermath.

Drawing on new research from the Barna Group, Scripture, and church history, pastor, theologian, and researcher Glenn Packiam addresses some of the most pressing questions for today's leaders, including

- What is a pastor's calling and vocation?

- How do church leaders regain credibility in a disillusioned world?

- How do church leaders cultivate a deeper life with God?

- How do pastors develop meaningful relationships?

- Why does the church gather in worship? Does it still matter if we do?

- How do we actually make disciples in this new landscape?

- How can we face the challenges to unity presented by nationalism and racism?

- What is the church's mission in the world?

- How do we welcome the presence and power of God in our churches?

This book is for all who are burdened by the challenges facing the church as well as the turbulence of our times. With infographics, enlightening data, and insights from other ministry leaders, this book is the perfect resource for church leaders who want to cultivate resilience in their ministry today.

Available from

Australian Christian Resources

Koorong

Word

Book: Reformed Leadership - why leaders need the Gospel to change the world

Reformed Leadership  presents the gospel as a sensemaking tool to critically examine five areas of personal leadership effectiveness, namely desire, identity, dignity, motive, and ambition.

Every tipping point in changing the world for the better always involves leadership.  Yet history also illustrates that even formidable leaders are prone to derailment and failures. Contrary to the popular idea that leaders need to enhance their self-efficacy to be effective, the focus of self is misguided because the self is the epicenter of the leadership problem. The author posits that the preoccupation with the self (and consequently, unbelief in the gospel) is the fundamental reason why leaders are blinded by power and control, create their own performance treadmill, live for the approval of others, and have myopic ambitions for things of this world.

Drawing on biblical insights and scholarly research, the leadership principles outlined in the book and their street-level applications will equip both novice and seasoned leaders to begin and end well.

Table of contents

1. What Business Schools Don't Teach You about Leadership

2. Leadership and the Psychology of Desire

3. How the Gospel Creates Leading Servants

4. When Leaders Run on the Performance Treadmill

5. When Leaders Live for People's Approval

6. Leading with Creative Tension

7. Don't Waste Your Leadership

Article: Models of Congregational Leadership

Nathan Frambach in his article Models of Congregational leadership, Nathan discusses congregational leadership including:

• Leadership in the contemporary context
• The Congregation as a warrant for leadership
• Theories of leadership
• The Jonah narrative as a biblical warrant for leadership
• Evangelical public leadership as a model for the congregation

To read the article visit

https://wordandworld.luthersem.edu/content/pdfs/20-4_Congregation/20-4_Frambach.pdf

Book: Who moved my pulpit?

Who Moved My Pulpit? may not be the exact question you’re asking. But you’re certainly asking questions about change in the church—where it’s coming from, why it’s happening, and how you’re supposed to hang on and follow God through it—even get out ahead of it so your church is faithfully meeting its timeless calling and serving the new opportunities of this age.
Based on conversations with thousands of pastors, combined with on-the-ground research from more than 50,000 churches, best-selling author Thom S. Rainer shares an eight-stage roadmap to leading change in your church. Not by changing doctrine. Not by changing biblical foundations. But by changing methodologies and approaches for reaching a rapidly changing culture.
You are the pastor. You are the church staff person. You are an elder. You are a deacon. You are a key lay leader in the church. This is the book that will equip you to celebrate and lead change no matter the cost. 

The time is now.

Table of contents Chapter 1 When the Pulpit Gets Moved
Chapter 2 Five Kinds of Unmovable Church Members 
Chapter 3 Stop . . . and Pray 
Chapter 4 Confront and Communicate a Sense of Urgency 
Chapter 5 Build an Eager Coalition 
Chapter 6 Become a Voice and Vision for Hope 
Chapter 7 Deal with People Issues 
Chapter 8 Move from an Inward Focus to an Outward Focus
Chapter 9 Pick Low-Hanging Fruit 
Chapter 10 Implement and Consolidate Change 
Chapter 11 Life Is Short. Make a Difference. 

Book: The Resilient Pastor: Ten principles for developing pastoral resilience

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.

Contents 
Develop intimacy with God
Invest in Mentoring Relationships
Pursue Your calling daily
Focus on Core Values
Recognise Your Strengths
Accept Your limitators
Maintain boundaries
Maintain emotional stability 
Reject erroneous messages
Embrace Grace

Book: Canoeing the mountains - Christian leadership in uncharted territory

Explorers Lewis and Clark had to adapt. While they had prepared to find a waterway to the Pacific Ocean, instead they found themselves in the Rocky Mountains. You too may feel that you are leading in a cultural context you were not expecting. You may even feel that your training holds you back more often than it carries you along. Drawing from his extensive experience as a pastor and consultant, Tod Bolsinger brings decades of expertise in guiding churches and organizations through uncharted territory. He offers a combination of illuminating insights and practical tools to help you reimagine what effective leadership looks like in our rapidly changing world. If you're going to scale the mountains of ministry, you need to leave behind canoes and find new navigational tools. Now expanded with a study guide, this book will set you on the right course to lead with confidence and courage

Contents
Part One:  Understanding uncharted territory: The world in front of you is nothing like the world behind you.  (Seminary can't prepare you for this)
Part Two;   The on-the-map skill set: No one is going to follow you off the map unless they trust you on the map.
Part Three:  Leading off the map: In uncharted territory, adaptation is everything.
Part Four:   Relationships and resistance: You can’t go alone, but you haven’t succeeded until you’ve survived the sabotage.
Part Five:   Transformation: Everybody will be changed (especially the leader).

Book: Paul and his Friends in leadership

The more we understand biblical characters like the apostle Paul in their concrete situations and in their own time, the more we will be able to apply biblical principles to today's church, its leaders and its mission-transforming and enriching the way we do church today. 
Paul and his Friends in Leadership examines the apostle Paul's critical relationships with key people, illustrating his humanity, faith, confidence in God and his leadership qualities. This novel approach, by an expert in the New Testament, will encourage us to reflect on leadership in the church today and will help us to see how significant authentic relationships are to our contemporary mission.  

Contents
1. Paul's greatness
2. Paul's life: a sketch
3. Paul's calling, his mission and his churches
4. Paul's mission to Cyprus and Galatia (AD47 - 48)

• Barnabas, missionary leader
• Paul's mission to the Aegean provinces (AD49 - 57)
• Silvanus, missionary and translator
• Timothy, Paul's leading fellow worker
• Luke, beloved physician and author
• Priscilla and Aquila, merchants
• Stephanas, servant of the saints
• Gaius, host of the church in Corinth
• Apollos, passionate preacher
• Erastus, high-ranking city official
• Titus (part 1), Paul's ambassador
• Epaphras, evangelist
• Philemon, house-church leader
• Onesimus, runaway slave
• John Mark, author
• The Asiarchs of Ephesus, leading citizens
• Phoebe, patroness in Cenchreae
• Aristarchus, travel companion

5. Paul's mission in Rome (AD57)

• Andronicus and Junia, Paul's kin
• Rufus, 'chosen in the Lord'

6. Paul's last years (AD60 - 65)

• Epaphroditus, carer
• Euodia and Syntyche, fellow workers
• Titus (part 2), evangelist in Crete
• Onesiphorus, earnest friend

7.  The origin of love in the writings of Paul
8.  The significance of Paul's mission friends

Book: I've Got Your Back: Biblical Principles for Leading and Following Well

If Jesus wrote a book about leadership today, he would tell a story. That's what the Jim Galvin decided when he tore up his first draft. 
Instead, Jim wrote a parable about four twenty-somethings who are having major problems with bad bosses. 
Jack Hendrickson, a retired Army Special Forces Sergeant and former missionary, begins to teach them Biblical principles about leadership and when they put it into practice at work, it makes their lives worse!  Experienced leaders are calling I've Got Your Back a landmark book to help next generation leaders with a Biblical foundation for leadership. Many talented young people have been victims of follower abuse. They don't want anything to do with leadership positions. Some have issues with authority and need guidance to heal. Galvin writes about a new kind of leader the world is desperate to follow. At the end of the parable, the author outlines Biblical principles of followership, as well as leadership, because everybody needs to learn how to lead and follow well.

For more information and to buy the book visit here

Building Church Leaders

Building Church Leaders resources are produced by Christianity Today, and provide customizable leadership resources for every kind of church ministry.
Their downloadable, easy-to-use Training Tools provide everything you need to prepare a relevant training session in a matter of minutes.   Each resource is designed with church boards, committees, staff, or volunteers in mind.   You select the topical tool that fits what you want to accomplish, download it, make copies if needed, and lead a discussion with your team or use them for your own personal development.
Whether it’s continuing education or an urgent need, Building Church Leaders provides the best practical ministry insights to help grow leaders into greater Kingdom impact. 

Resources available for:

• Leadership including:   Orientation Guides for leaders, Church Board & Elders, Leadership Skills, Staffing Forms & Essentials, Administrative Forms and Training New Leaders.
• Congregation and visitors including:  Discipleship, Membership, Welcoming Visitors, and Outreach  
• Vision and goals including:  Vision Casting, Strategic Planning, Stewardship & Giving, Small Churches and Mentoring
• Children's Ministry
• Women Leaders
• Small-Groups Ministry

Resources offered include:
Assessments
Best Church Practices
Cartoons
Case Studies
Church Administration
Orientation Guides
Practical Ministry Skills
Survival Guides
Training Themes
Urgent Care Tools
Worship Essentials

You can puchase individual resources or become a member for free access

Visit https://www.bclstore.com/ for more information

Devotion: Who and what is shaping you as a leader?

Who and what is shaping you as a leader? is designed for leaders in Christian congregations to reflect on being a leader in the church and Christian organisations....
It is based on:
Follow my example, as i follow the example of Christ 1 Corinthians 11:1

This study is available here

Book: The fourfold leadership of Jesus

Don't follow me. Follow Jesus!' runs a popular slogan. Yet the apostle Paul wrote, 'Follow my example, as I follow Christ.'  Can we hope to echo Paul's words, or should we always be pointing away from ourselves to Christ?
This book considers four of Jesus' commands to his disciples as the basis for four models of leadership in the church which may be appropriate in different seasons of ministry:

• come (a pastoral approach),
• follow (inspiring by example),
• wait (faithful in obedience),
• go (evangelistic and mission-focused).

Above all, Andrew Watson concludes that developing individual character and discipleship is an essential aspect of leadership in the church.

Reviews
These are days when the Church needs leaders who know Jesus and seek to lead like him. Andrew Watson is one such man. Drawing on his experience of leading a growing church, this book is packed with wisdom, good advice, and sound biblical principle. It will change and inspire.     Mark Russell, Chief Executive, Church Army

Leadership is complex - ask any leader. Simplistic advice is rarely true or helpful. That's why this book is so valuable. Andrew Watson offers clear biblical reflection to inspire and encourage leaders to lead more like Jesus.    James Lawrence, Director of the CPAS Arrow Leadership Programme

In this readable, well thought-out book Andrew Watson offers wise, practical advice to leaders, encouraging them to lead like Jesus. Jesus called his disciples to come, to follow, to wait and to go, and the book's basis is that each of these commands represents a different aspect of the call to discipleship. The author also believes that leadership and discipleship are so closely related as to be virtually indistinguishable from one another. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to become more like Jesus.  Reviewed by Jackie Rowe

Over the last 15 years the Diocese of Hereford has done a considerable amount of work on developing the ministry of all believers. As more people have engaged with the mission imperative of the church and are active in ministry the Diocese has recognised the need to enhance the leadership skills of the Clergy.
There are many models of leadership out there and Andrew Watson, in his well written and easy to read book, has chosen to concentrate on an analysis of the leadership model of Jesus. It is a fascinating read filled with insight. It challenges the exhausting activist models of leadership that are so often presented in the secular world. Andrew Watson points the reader to the nature of the undergirding spirituality which shapes the model of leadership adopted by Jesus.
Andrew Watson has recently been appointed as Bishop of Aston and will be moving from the Church he has led for the last 12 years - a church which has grown from 300 to 1000 under his leadership. His study of Jesus' leadership has been lived out in the busy activist world of parish ministry and so it makes a very credible read.   Reviewed by Graham Sykes

Book: Rhythms of Grace

Rhythms of Grace emerges from a personal exploration of contemplative spirituality. Coming from an evangelical and charismatic background, Tony Horsfall felt an increasing desire to know God more deeply.
At the same time, he felt an increasing dissatisfaction with his own spiritual life, as well as concern at the number of highly qualified and gifted people involved in Christian ministry who experience burn-out.
In this book he shows how contemplative spirituality, with its emphasis on realising our identity as God's beloved children and on being rather than doing, has vital lessons for us about discovering intimacy with God. It also provides essential insights about building a ministry that is both enjoyable and sustainable.

Reviews
This book will significantly widen our worship experience as we present our real selves to a real God. Dave Bilbrough, songwriter and worship leader For over-busy Christians and leaders, this book is a must. It is about much more than pace in the race. It is about going deeper with Jesus. The Right Revd Ken Clarke, Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh, Church of Ireland 
I commend this book to all who desire to be drawn closer to God because he is pleased with who we are more than what we do. Paul Tan, Overseas Missionary Fellowship, Singapore 
I greatly enjoyed reading Rhythms of Grace. Tony Horsfall's message to those of us who are so busy that we hardly ever have time to sit still and simply be is a timely one. It also helps us to realise just how precious we are to God, and that though we may feel we don't measure up as Christians, God accepts and loves us as we are, and longs to deepen our relationship with him. From Susan Hibbins, Editor of the UK edition of The Upper Room From The Good Bookstall - 14 April 2012
Horsfall's message here is a prophetic and timely one. Experiencing intimacy with God in a busy life is a perennial if not cosmic wrestle. The world, the flesh and the devil all collaborate with our busyness and vulnerabilities, to minimise the truthfulness that comes from silence and solitude with our Saviour. Rhythms of Grace has a pulsing beat emanating from a personal exploration of contemplative spirituality. Evangelical and charismatic pathways fuse meaningfully in an experiential pursuit of God. This is full of insights, wisdom, reflection and signposts toward action and transformation. Dense, definitive and delightful for the soul! This is a great title deserving of more than just shelf collection. Read and then re-read this gem of a book! This is a well-crafted and compelling invitation to walk in intimate grace with the risen Jesus Christ. This book in God's goodness could birth healing for many. Reviewed by Johnny Douglas From The Church Times - 18 May 2012
I confess that I approached Tony Horsfall's book with a cautious heart, but came away from it with a glad one. The writer comes from an Evangelical background, which is not my own, and my prejudices got in the way. His aim is to widen the spirituality of the 'usual' Evangelical (if there is such a person), and introduce him or her to a kind of spirituality which for many good Christians would be entirely new. He does this with great sensitivity - and possibly a little deliberate cunning. The first chapters describe issues that will be quite familiar to most Evangelical Christians, and probably form part of their daily devotions. But, slowly and gently, he leads his reader into what is probably, for most British Christians, new ground. He plays no tricks, but opens up radically different ways of prayer and listening to God. None of these is new to Christianity - indeed, many have ancient roots - but most have only relatively recently found their way into the daily devotions of today's Anglican (and probably Free Church) Christian lives. With Horsfall, prayer becomes listening and waiting rather than speaking and asking - as (he tells us) he has himself discovered. Reviewed by Canon John Armson, former Precentor of Rochester Cathedral

Book: A failure of nerve-Leadership in the age of quick fix

Ten years after his death, Edwin Friedman's insights into leadership are more urgently needed than ever. He was the first to tell us that all organizations have personalities, like families, and to apply the insights of family therapy to churches and synagogues, rectors and rabbis, politicians and teachers.

Failure of Nerve is essential reading for all leaders, be they parents or presidents, corporate executives or educators, religious superiors or coaches, healers or generals, managers or clergy. Friedman's insights about our regressed, seatbelt society, oriented toward safety rather than adventure, help explain the sabotage that leaders constantly face today.

Suspicious of the quick fixes and instant solutions that sweep through our culture only to give way to the next fad, he argues for strength and self-differentiation as the marks of true leadership. His formula for success is more maturity, not more data; stamina, not technique; and personal responsibility, not empathy.

This book was unfinished at the time of Friedman's death, and originally published in a limited edition. This new edition makes his life-changing insights and challenges available to a new generation of readers.

Introduction: The Problem with Leadership 1
1 Imaginative Gridlock and the Spirit of Adventure 29
2 A Society in Regression 51
3 Data Junkyards and Data Junkies: The Fallacy of Expertise 95
4 Survival in a Hostile Environment: The Fallacy of Empathy 132
5 Autocracy Versus Integrity: The Fallacies of Self 158
6 Take Five 187
7 Emotional Triangles
8 Crisis and Sabotage: The Keys to the Kingdom 229
        Epilogue: The Presence of the Past 248
 

eBook: Running on Empty - 60 Devotions for Church Leaders

Churches have always been busy places. Pastors and Church leaders are often over-worked and under-appreciated. They are usually busy doing so many things for God and others, that they forget or neglect to recharge their souls and refresh their spirits. They are often running around on empty because they selflessly give so much of their time, talents, and energy.
This book is for all of brothers and sisters in the Lord, who tirelessly and sometimes relentlessly, do God’s work in the churches they serve and the communities where they reside. All of them are heroes because of their commitment and conviction, their fortitude and faith, especially in turbulent times.
John Stuart has written sixty short devotions that will only take five minutes to read, reflect upon, and pray. They can be used on a daily basis or for weekly times of reflection. Pastors and leaders can read them alone, share them with their peers or use them for staff devotions. His intention is to help, encourage, and sometimes challenge those who are called to serve Christ in the Church and world. Each devotion contains a Bible verse, devotion, questions for reflection, and a short prayer. There is also an art illustration, which John has drawn and created, for meditation.

Leaders resource: Ministry Library

Ministry Library help pastors and their teams succeed through summaries of leadership books on video, action plans and team workshops.
Ministry at times can be very time consuming and often what happens is leaders and pastors neglect their own development, as they deal with the important and urgent matters of ministry, Ministry Library helps pastors keep up their learning through:
Video book summaries which don't just summarise the books, they focus on how you can apply the lessons and ideas to your ministry right away. Each video has lists, tips, how-to’s and extra material to help you better lead your ministry.
Action Plans - Notes don’t change anything, actions do. So don’t take notes, take action! Each video comes with a printable transcript that’s formatted to help you set goals, take actions and keep deadlines.
Team Workshops which are created to help you and your staff take your church to the next level, by providing you with actionable takeaways, done-for-you resources and discussion questions that will have immediate results in your ministry.
Explore https://www.ministrylibrary.com/ today

Article: 12 OFTEN OVERLOOKED PRACTICES GREAT LEADERS DEVELOP THAT POOR LEADERS DON’T

12 often overlooked practices great leaders develop that poor leaders don't is a good article for leaders to reflect on...The 12 practices are:
1. MAKE COMPLEX MATTERS SEEM SIMPLE
2. FIGHT FOR CLARITY
3. REFUSE TO MAKE EXCUSES
4. THINK ABUNDANCE
5. REGULARLY SIFT THROUGH KEY PRIORITIES
6. THINK WON’T, NOT CAN’T
7. MASTER SELF-DISCIPLINE
8. THINK WE, NOT ME
9. DECIDE TO WORK FOR YOUR STAFF
10. GET STARTED EARLY
11. ARRIVE PREPARED AND ON TIME
12. PRACTICE SELF-CARE

to explore each of these practices visit here

Pastor Burnout web site of resources

Pastor Burnout - The Silent Ministry Killer
Pastor burnout is a weapon the enemy uses with great efficiency. It is surprising in its simplicity but brutal in its impact. Burnout begins by encouraging us to do what we do best – minister to people. But as we serve, subtle conflict infiltrates our minds.
At first, confidence leads us to some great expectations. But those very expectations are the seeds of our own downfall. Why is it that we develop such an idealistic portrait of ministry and our own abilities?
Failure to meet these expectations leads to disappointment and confusion: "Am I doing this right?" "Why am I not seeing the results I should be seeing?" "Why did he get so angry about this?" "Am I really prepared to do this?" "I never knew ministry was like this." "I am going to work harder." "Maybe I need to look for a different church." "This isn’t what I thought being a pastor would be like."
It’s very logical, when you think about it.
Peter states that Satan is prowling around looking for someone to have for lunch (1 Peter 5:8). As pastors, we know that many people in our congregations are vulnerable to these attacks. That’s why God put us in their lives. Hebrews 13:17 states that pastors keep watch over the souls of people in their congregations. And Peter teaches that we are to care for our congregation like a shepherd cares and protects his sheep (1 Peter 5:3).
So if you want to harm the flock, you first need to attack the shepherd.

The Pastor Burnout web author  tells his burnout story:
I remember the exact point I hit bottom. I was staring into a bathroom mirror with a bottle of sleeping pills in my hand. A voice of reason began to speak… but a second voice interrupted, "Don't think, just swallow. Don’t think, just swallow."
And I did.
I assumed one bottle of prescription sleeping pills would do it. But just in case, I pulled out a second bottle and gulped those down as well.
The next few hours are a blur. But I do recall my wife sitting next to me in the hospital. And I can see her face as she said through tears, "We're going to get through this."
Pastor burnout doesn't always lead to suicide, of course. But whoever and wherever it strikes, clergy burnout leaves a path of discouragement, disillusionment, and pain.
I burned out twice in ministry.
The first time, I didn't know what was happening.
The second time I knew what was happening but seemed powerless to stop it.
The first time, I denied that I had a problem.
The second time I thought I could control it.
Both instances led to problems in my marriage, challenges in my church, and clinical depression.
The major difference between the two experiences is that the second time I burned out, I left church ministry altogether.
I'm years removed from those experiences now, but I still struggle with the pain, shame, and grief of pastor burnout.

The pages on the Pastor Burnout web page are really a therapeutic labor of love. They come from a person who has been to the bottom and am making their way back to the surface. They are  not really sure that life will ever be like it was before. And they are not sure they would want it to be even if they had a choice. For as God promises, he took their misery and created something good out of it. They were broken, wounded, suffering in pain, but God is redeeming their hurts and using them for his glory.
That’s what the website Pastor Burnout is all about. They want to help pastors avoid if possible – or negotiate with hope the dark pathways of pastor burnout.
If you or someone you know wants to prevent burnout, or if you need help working through the darkness, this site is for you. This is a place where you can remain completely anonymous but still be part of a community.
This is a community of people who understand. We’ve been there. And while we don’t have all the answers, we are finding that God really does restore and redeem our pain for something greater than we can now imagine.
At the Pastor Burnout web page you will discover:
a Pastor Burnout Workbook
Pastor Burnout Stories
a Pastors Forum
a Pastor Burnout Blog
Pastor Burnout Statistics
Burnout Definition, information and symptoms including 53 Pastor Burnout Causes
information on overcoming Burnout and Burnout recovery
Clinical Depression, symptoms and responding to it?
Overcoming Pornography
Pastor Care
Career Change information for Pastors
Sermon Outlines
Pastor Burnout Jokes
Pastor Retreats
Pastor Burnout Books
and many Pastor Resources
visit http://www.pastorburnout.com/