Burnout? Who, me? Never! BRUCE BALLANTINE-JONES looks at a new book that tackles the unique pressures of Christian ministry.

One of the terrible aspects of parish ministry is the feeling that you are on your own.
The pressure to produce results, the pressure of living up to expectations, fear of failure, these and other issues can cause one to spiral from anxiety to depression and even to giving up the ministry altogether. Who do we turn to? How can we change? How can we get back to where we were or better?
Every minister and perceptive lay person knows that the Christian ministry is a unique life with unique pressures.
When ministers fail to recognise the signs of trouble and then fail to take appropriate action, not only their ministry but their lives can end up in big trouble.
Peter Brain’s new book, Going the Distance: How to Stay Fit for Lifetime of Ministry (Matthias Media, 2004) should be read by every minister. In fact it is so good I think it should be given to every ordinand along with the Bible. And every parish council should buy it for their minister.
Brain has written this book based on more than 25 years of parish ministry and more recently as a diocesan bishop. It is a mix of wide reading and mature reflection on the pressures he has experienced himself as well as what he has observed in others.
The book covers subjects such as the importance of self-care, burnout, stress, depression, the pastor’s family, sexual temptation and many more. He writes from within a sound biblical framework and a clear understanding of the great doctrines of grace and justification as well as a balanced approach to the theological principles of ministry.
The book is comprehensive, readable and has a good bibliography. The principles he advocates are sound, practical and relevant. The minister who thinks he does not need such a book is probably the one who needs it the most. I warmly commend this book to all ministers, especially those who are doing it tough.