Reading is a passion that I am getting reacquainted with. With having two small children, my uninterrupted time is rare. So let me preface this review by saying this… I barely have time to write about a book that I like so why would I take the time to tell you about a book that I wouldn’t recommend?
I first heard of
Anne Jackson several years ago through another blog. Her realness and ability to tackle tough, “unmentionable” subjects with such grace impressed me. As I continued to read her blog, I was stopped dead in my tracks.
“Does working at this church interfere with your communion with Christ?”
Had Anne been reading my mail?
We’re around the same age, both have grown up and served in various churches our entire lives. We shared similar life experiences and now…now, she was ripping scabs off of some of the most painful parts of my life. Thanks, a lot, Anne…
Growing up, my family was very active volunteers in our local church. I began helping as soon as I could. Later in my adult life this led to being full-time staff for a local ministry and now a church planter.
“When we should have been fighting with our fellow believers back-to-back, we find ourselves bandaging our wounds from friendly fire. When we should be breathing life into a comatose world, we find ourselves gasping for air, just trying to survive. When we should be celebrating the gift of our friends and families, we find our hearts breaking for the way they are mistreated. A very real pain comes out of a very real battle each of use is called to fight. To some of us, this is a relatively new and shocking pain. To others, we’ve grown numb because we’ve learned to expect the worse. You may be taking your first steps into serving. Or maybe like me, you’ve been exposed to both the beautiful and terrible faces of the church for your entire life.”
Flash forward to November of 2009…
I had the privilege to hear Anne speak at the
Dirt Conference, a creative conference that was being held in Little Rock, AR. She had more guts than I think I could ever have but I felt as if I was listening to my long, lost sister who had gotten a hold of my diary and was exposing all of my entries to a crowd of my creative colleagues. After the conference, I rushed to buy her book and gave it a read.
In Mad Church Disease, Anne brilliantly equates ministry (vocationally or volunteer) burnout with the symptoms of Mad Cow Disease. She speaks candidly of her experiences as a leader dealing with stress and struggles. Anne asks hard hitting questions in the “Exam Room” at the end of each chapter inviting the reader into introspection, repentance, forgiveness and ultimately, healing.
This is a must read for every ministry volunteer or staff member. Whether you are currently experiencing burnout or if you’ve yet to feel it (because you’ll more than likely feel it at some point) this book offers hope and gives voice to the things so many of us long to express. All I can say is… Thanks, Anne. Thanks, a lot.
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wow rachel…thank you so, so much for the kind words (about the Dirt Conference) and about the book. especially w/two kids, taking the time to read and write about this means the world to me!!!!
What a fantastic surprise! I had no idea that you even knew this review was here. Totally made my day, Anne!
THANK YOU!!!
[...] in love with this book. I’ve already posted a review of it here but in honor of Valentine’s Day (really, it has nothing to do with Valentine’s Day), [...]
Is it possible the reason “Burnout” is such
a problem for today’s “Pastor/Leader” is
they have found themselves with a
“Title” and “Position” NOT found in the Bible?
Did anyone have the “Title” “pastor” in the Bible?
Was anyone ordained a “pastor” in the Bible?
Any congregations “led” by a “pastor” in the Bible?
And every “pastor” I’ve met also had
the “Title” “Reverend.”
Does anyone have the “Title” Reverend in the Bible?
In my experience…
Titles become Idols.
Pastors become Masters.
Heavy weights on shoulders NOT easy to lay down.
Jesus taught “His Disciples”
NOT to be called “Master/Leader”
For you have “ONE” “Master/Leader” The Christ.
Mat 23:8-10 KJV
Ezekiel 14:1-7, speaks about “Idols of the Heart,”
and now God will speak to us according to
the “Idols of our Heart.”
And other sheep I have,
which are not of this fold:
them also I must bring,
and they shall “hear my voice;”
and there shall be “ONE” fold,
and “ONE” shepherd.
John 10:16
One Fold – One Shepherd – One Voice.
If Not Now, When?
Be blessed in your search for Truth… Jesus.