Book Review: Mad Church Disease
Sometimes I read a book that truly touches me. And Mad Church Disease: Overcoming the Burnout Epidemic is the most recent, I have read. Mad Church Disease is an amazing book written by Anne Jackson (@flowerdust for you Twitterers). It discusses the “dirty little secret” about working and serving in church: burnout.
Anne Jackson uses the symptoms of Mad Cow Disease to shine a light on the symptoms of Mad Church Disease. Sadly, there is no cure for Mad Cow Disease, but there ARE cures for Mad Church Disease. But they aren’t easy, then again, true healing never is.
Anne shares her story, along with stories from several other church leaders, as they discuss different ways that burnout has affected their ministries and themselves.
If you work or volunteer in a church, you MUST read Mad Church Disease. Like Anne says, burnout is not a matter of “if”, it’s more a matter a “when” and to what degree.
A couple of quotables:
- “I think that numbers have become an addiction.”
- “Sometimes, in order to heal, you have to hurt first.”
- “Mad church disease can and will strip away everything from your identity – from who you are in Christ.”
- “We cannot be dependent on ourselves and on God at the same time. When we consider the practice of rest, unnecessary, we also inevitably lose sight of the necessity of God.”
thanks so much for this review! can i shamelessly ask for you to put it on amazon? it would mean the world to me, and hopefully help to-be readers decide to get it and ultimately heal!
Absolutely, I will. Anything I can do to help! Thanks for the comment!
thank YOU so much!
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.