Zeal without Burnout Hardcover – March 1, 2016

I was laid up in bed sick this week. The bad part of that scenario should be obvious, but the good part was that it gave me a chance to read through Christoper Ash’s new book “Zeal Without Burnout: Seven keys to a lifelong ministry of sustainable sacrifice”. I had the privilege of hearing Christopher Ash speak at a youth workers conference in Wales a few years back and his gracious humility and biblical wisdom struck me at the time. I was happy to have the chance to work through this helpful little book and to share my thoughts with you about it.The book is short – just over 120 pages – and I was able to read the whole book in about an hour and a half. It is sprinkled with stories from various Christians who have wrestled with the specter and symptoms of burnout. The heart of the book are the “Seven Keys” which are made of up four “needs” (we need sleep, we need Sabbath rest, we need friends, and we need inward renewal) followed by a warning, an encouragement, and a delight. The book is simple and much that is shared is simply Biblical common-sense. But it is the very common-sense approach that Ash takes which makes this book profoundly helpful. At its most basic level, Ash’s book can be boiled down to what he calls, “A Neglected Truth”: we are mortal creatures. As Ash puts it, “The foundation of all I have to say is that you and I are dust. We need to know that and never to forget it. You and I are embodied creatures; we are dust” (pg. 35). From this truth flows the recognition that we need rest, sleep, friends and renewal. What drives ministerial burnout is the faulty belief that we are somehow indispensable. We proudly assume that God needs our sacrifice, our gifts, or our personalities to build His kingdom. Ash graciously shatters that thinking. I found myself humbled and encouraged by this book. It stands as a needed warning against my own pride and offers a helpful balance so that I can faithfully sacrifice without foolishly rushing into burnout. This is a book to read and to share; enjoy and be blessed!I would like to thank the good folks over at Cross Focused Reviews for providing me with a free review copy of this book. I was not obligated to provide a positive review.[...]

Shouldn't be the last book you read on the danger of ministry burnout, but it should definitely be on your list. Simple and straightforward, great examples, and the sense that the author really understands the danger of burnout. I recommend walking through this book with someone and encouraging them with it.

I would recommend this book for almost any people and service institutional workers and especially Christian workers. The signs and dodges of burnout are simply presented as well as reasonable helps for a more healthy reaction to stress than denial and running away. Short and easy to read, the connection of life situation to biblical principle is good.

Christopher Ash effectively challenges Christian workers, from the least to the most prominent, to faithfully tend to their own integrated personal health! This one is a must-read.

I had been told I was showing signs of burnout, but I disagreed and went on my way. When this book was recommended to me, I bought it and laid it aside. Then I met a young pastor who I could tell was going way too hard and too fast and was in danger of burning out, so I gave it to him and ordered another one for me. One day, the Spirit nudged me to read the book. I picked it up, read it (it's easy to read in one sitting) and began to cry. I saw me. I would highly recommend this to any pastor or person who often has much on their plate and little time at the end of the day. It's a quick read packed with power, insight and much wisdom!

Fantastic, quick read that I would give everyone BEFORE they began serving. Whether vocational or volunteer, this book lays out the basics needed for one to continue to thrive in their service. The author is honest and humble as he approaches subjects some are afraid to speak about, but need to be said. Invaluable transparency.

By some accounts, pastors are flaming out on a regular basis. The weight of daily ministry, encroaching deadlines of next Sunday, loneliness, and the common temptations are enough to expose some and painfully humble others. The great apostle’s warning to “pay close attention to your life and doctrine” often goes unheeded resulting in needless burnout.Longtime British pastor and author Christopher Ash gives us his latest offering in an all-too-brief look at the topic of ministry burnout. In his Zeal without Burnout: Seven Keys to a Lifelong Ministry of Sustainable Sacrifice, Ash’s stated aim “is to help us discern the difference between sacrifice and foolish heroism, and so to guard against needless burnout” (26).Some enter ministry with a temporary zeal that is untethered to biblical depth and maturity. Possibly catering to shallow notions of “doing great things for God,” many pastors build numbers, venues, and events that become akin to the old circus act of spinning plates. When this happens, it’s only a matter of time before something crashes. Ash speaks pointedly to this tendency:The problem is that we do not sacrifice alone. It may sound heroic, even romantic, to burn out for Jesus. The reality is that others are implicated in our crashes. A spouse, children, ministry colleagues, prayer partners and faithful friends, all are drawn in to supporting us and propping us up when we collapse (24).A Brief OverviewIn the introduction, Ash tips the reader to the fact this book is only making a start: “This is a very personal book; and I trust it is a biblical book. But it is far from being a comprehensive or expert treatment of the subject” (14). The author reveals his personal interest in that “[a]t least twice I have come to the edge of burnout. By the grace of God, I have been enabled to step back from the brink” (15). Ash writes for a potentially broad audience yet pastors seem to be the main focus. “I write for all zealous followers of Jesus. Perhaps especially for pastors and Christian leaders” (14).The main thrust of the book is centered around what Ash believes is a neglected truth. “The foundation of all I have to say is that you and I are dust” (35). He then considers seven ideas or principles that flow from it. The first four are needs we have that God does not share. He says these needs are sleep, Sabbaths, friends, and food (41). He devotes a chapter to each of these. However, “food” becomes “Inward Renewal” in chapter 4 with no explanation for the change in terminology.The final three keys are “A Warning: Beware Celebrity!; An Encouragement: It’s Worth It; and A Delight: Rejoice in Grace but Not Gifts.” At times, these points feel forced, but reading charitably I believe he offers a number of basic insights that will prove helpful to many. Also, scattered throughout the book are six testimonies, or what are called “Stories,” which follow the main chapters (Roy’s Story, Ben’s, Carrie’s, Allison’s, and Dennis’s). While these stories did offer some real-life insight, at times they introduced some confusing aspects to the author’s point which I detail below.A Final ThoughtThere are a number of typographical mistakes, punctuation marks, and various fragmented thoughts that need additional polish. Most significantly, the table of contents pagination greatly departs from what the reader finds throughout most of the book.There were numerous times I wanted Ash to flesh out in more detail his point, but one suspects the book’s brevity hindered such expansion. I would love to hear the author enlarge on many of these themes which were quite limited in a book of this size.The most unsettled question of this book is ironically its main focus—what is burnout? How does one make sense of “burnout” if its definition remains elusive? There are numerous places where “burnout” is referenced as an “illness” (55, 82) or generally associated with “nervous disease” (58). The subjective nature of the term is evidenced in “Dennis’s Story” where he states, “Burnout can be defined in many ways, but that’s how it looked in my situation” (90).Adding to this confusion is a final chapter by Dr. Steve Midgley, “What Exactly is Burnout?” He states, “Burnout isn’t a medical diagnosis” (117), yet throughout the book it is assumed to be marginally a medical issue since the language of “illness” is employed. Midgley walks the reader through a very brief explanation of burnout which he, wrongly I believe, associates with “the stress response curve” (119). There are numerous problems with introducing such confusing analysis at the end of this book. Mentioning one, Midgley’s evaluation is entirely couched in behavioral terms based on outward physical stimuli such as stress, lack of sleep, etc.Midgley makes no attempt to engage biblical data or to consider that outward actions are responses of the heart. He’s right in saying that we should not immediately assume “some sort of spiritual weakness” (120), but does this mean we should assume the presence of a disease or another malady? Reading Midgley’s chapter does not resolve the issue or the question at the heart of this book. In fact, one still wonders after reading this final chapter, “What Exactly is Burnout?”Despite these limitations, Ash does effectively place a flag in the ground calling for believers to give this more attention. To that end, I think his various pastoral insights on “burnout” open the way for others to address the subject with greater clarity. The ground is plowed here for future work on this subject. We still await a healthy treatment balancing Paul’s concern that we “take pains” with ministerial labors yet also “persevere in these things” (1 Tim 4:15–16). Until then, this little book from Christopher Ash will encourage many pastors walking the often-difficult trails of pastoral ministry.

Wonderful book for anyone serving in a church who feels discouraged at times. Great reminder of why and who we truly serve.

Well written with helpful diagnostic questions and framing to ensure fruitful conversations with peers will ensue. Love this book and will gladly recommend it to ministers new, old and in training.

A review of “Zeal without Burnout” (seven keys to a lifelong ministry of sustainable sacrifice) by Christopher Ash.¹PreambleBurnout is prevalent in church leadership.² How do we avoid it? Not by becoming lazy, but keeping ourselves, “fuelled and aflame.” (Rom 12:11 MESSAGE) Christopher provides us with seven simple but profound practical truths to maintain spiritual fervour instead of experiencing spiritual failure. These apply to those serving in Christian ministry, whether on staff of a church or not. Anyone practicing the seven keys with diligence will undoubtable find refreshment and renewed faith.SummaryThe most important aspect of maintaining spiritual health while under strain is soberness, “So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall.” (1 Cor 10:12 NRSV) A buyer of the book is, presumably, aware enough of their challenges to recognise the symptoms of burnout either in full view or coming over the horizon. However, we are not the best judges of our fitness and need books like this to conduct a periodic review. I recommend this as a readable and succinct book that could be best used by pulling it off the shelf at least once a year for a checkup.Body of the BookChristopher reminds us that sacrifice (good) is not the same as burnout (bad). Statements such as, "I would rather wear out than rust out" (George Whitfield) may be well intended, but smack too much of machismo. The problem with burnout is not simply the effect it has on us, but also on colleagues, friends and especially family. In essence, burnout is avoidable and thus is akin to selfishness. We are called to present our “bodies as a living sacrifice,” (Rom 12:1 CENT) - not a dead one! It helps to remember that we are creatures of dust (Gen 2:7; Psalm 90:3; 103:14).Having reminded us of our limitations Christopher gives us his “Seven Keys” to sustainable sacrifice:1. We need sleep2. We need sabbath rests3. We need friends4. We need inward renewal5. A warning: beware celebrity!6. An encouragement: it's worth it!7. A delight: rejoice in grace, not giftsEach short chapter reviews differences between us and God. We have needs that He does not, and thus we do well to take advantage of the resources He has provided to continue to do the work He has in mind for us. Christopher carefully treads the line between self-care and selfishness. Christian work does make you tired! Paul and others had “sleepless nights and hunger” (2 Cor 6:5 NIV11). Our writer is not advocating a comfortable cross, but a sustainable life of discipleship.The example of a firefighter is a helpful thread throughout the book. It is not selfish to guard our devotional times any more than it is selfish for a firefighter to take a break before heading back into the fire. Remaining in the burning building beyond his or her capacity for strength or air would be folly, not faith. “To neglect sleep, sabbaths, friendships and inward renewal is not heroism but hubris.”In essence the book is concerned with self-awareness. Once we are aware, we then must be humble enough to surrender any fears or selfish ambition to God. Hard to do unless we also share our predicament with at least one trusted friend. Perhaps, if I have a criticism of this book, it would be that it lacks detail on what to do when you find yourself in a place without ‘safe’ people around. It’s a situation I have faced in the past as do many in Christian service. I’d like to have heard Christopher's thoughts on this topic.ConclusionThe book’s brevity does not indicate a superficial treatment of this vital topic. There is enough between the pages to bless your burnout - or even prevent it in the first place. A more detailed exploration of many of the themes can be found in the works of Gordon MacDonald (“Ordering your private world”, “Restoring your spiritual passion”, “A resilient life” and others).Let's hope and pray that we can live out the instruction that Paul gave the Romans, and that he himself lived, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11 NIV11).His concluding poem/prayer is a helpful meditation:“I am – and will never, this side of the resurrection, be more than – a creature of dust. I will rest content in my creaturely weakness; I will use the means God has given me to keep going in this life while I can; I will allow myself time to sleep; I will trust him enough to take a day off each week; I will invest in friendships and not be a proud loner; I will take with gladness the inward refreshment he offers me. I will serve the Lord Jesus with a glad and restful zeal with all the energy that he works within me; but not with anxious toil, selfish ambition, the desire for the praise of people, and all the other ugly motivations that will destroy my soul. So help me God.”Malcolm Cox3 October 2016¹ thegoodbook company, hardback, 123 pages, 2016² In the USA it is estimated that some 1500 people leave pastoral ministry each month due to burnout, conflict or moral failure. A third of pastors say they feel burned out within just five years of starting ministry, and almost a half of pastors and their wives say they have experienced depression or burnout to the extent that they needed to take a leave of absence from ministry.

Great book, must read for those in pastoral ministry.

Easy to read, sound, biblical advice which is really worth reading. This is helpful for all in ministry and for those who pray for them.