COPING WITH CLERGY BURNOUT

Judson Press

“He sat staring blankly into space as he talked about his hollow dreams for his church. Sometimes he stuttered. Often his sermons became erratic; he forgot committee meetings and couldn’t sleep. The congregation had requested that he be removed from the church.” What happened to change this young pastor who had begun his ministry with such evangelistic zeal and enthusiasm? According to Rediger, the answer is “clergy burnout,” a condition occurring in the leadership of the church and one which has significant effects on the persons involved as well as on the church as a whole. In his book he speaks openly about this serious condition so many pastors are experiencing, describes the warning signs, and presents practical recovery and prevention strategies. For every pastor who finds his or her energy running low, Rediger’s program of physical, emotional, and spiritual wholeness can help you regain your perspective on yourself as a person and on the Job God has called you to do. He helps you understand the “burnout” syndrome, provides guidelines for evaluating your own situation, and offers a definite course of action which will avoid the high stress factors causing this disabling condition. “Burnout” could have long-range consequences for many pastors and churches. This book may be one of the most important resources you will ever read to bring your ministry into focus. It can be a major contribution to the success and growth of a positive, productive pastoral experience.

“This book is a responsible, concise, and clear discussion of ‘burnout.’ Rediger should be commended for this outstanding discussion of the problems facing pastors and how to move effectively to limit the problems that result from an intensive ministry experience. Reidger is concise in his ideas, he is clear in helping pastors and clergy understand the problem of burnout, and most important, his suggestions for remedying the problems are right on target.... Without a doubt, pastors should read this book and make it available to those whom they care about.”
—F. B. Wichern, Bibliotheca Sacra

“Rediger’s book is nontechnical, short, and easily read.... His analysis and advice are to the point. The book might be recommended especially to pastoral support committees as a means of gaining an understanding of the unique stresses upon the clergy, as well as some methods of preventative maintenance.”
—James Bangsund, Book Newsletter (Augsbury Publishing House)

“Burnout has become a popular focus in recent days for professional and media attention. On the assumption that clergy are not immune to this phenomena—and may, in fact, be more subject to it than other professionals—a book concerning the problem of clergy burnout is certainly timely.... Many clergy, I suspect, will find Rediger’s description of burnout characteristics uncomfortably close to home. If the book encourages self- reflection and some changes in lifestyle and working patterns, it will have done a real service. The author’s suggestions are sound.... [Rediger’s] book is one every denominational leader should be familiar with and every local church should have available for their pastor(s) and lay leadership.”
—Misty Rothhaar, Circuit Rider

“For every pastor who finds his or her energy running low, Dr. Rediger’s program of physical, emotional, and spiritual wholeness can help you regain your perspective for yourself as a person, and on the job God has called you to do.... This book may be one of the most important resources you will ever find. It will bring your ministry into focus, and it can be a major source to the success and growth of a positive pastorial experience.”
—Pentecostal Minister

“Whether or not you think you might be on your way to burnout, Coping with Clergy Burnout is a valuable resource. To understand the issues involved in clergy stress, and to develop positive responses to stress, are the measures that can prevent burnout long before it threatens. Dr. Rediger has rendered a valuable service in both prevention and cure.”
—James D. Walding, Journal of the Minister’s Personal Library

Preface
Introduction

Section One: The Problem/Opportunity
1 Background and Perspective
2 Understanding Burnout
3 Some Theological Considerations

Section Two: The Stress of Clergy Vocation
4 Three Case Studies
5 Why Clergy Burn Out
6 Identifying and Caring for Burned-out Clergy

Section Three: A Model for Avoiding Burnout
7 The AIM Model
8 AIM and Scheduling
9 AIM and Intimacy
10 AIM and Church Politics
11 AIM and Volunteers
12 AIM and Change Agentry
13 Try Smarter, Not Harder
14 The Pastor’s Support System

Appendix
The Power of Invitation

Notes