Resilient Ministry commenced as a five-year research project conducted by Bob Burns, Tasha D. Chapman, and Donald C. Guthrie, colleagues at Covenant Theological Seminary. Collectively they evaluated the stresses and challenges of ministry, which resulted in a book revealing how pastors may thrive in their vocation. The authors disclosed five key themes promoting lasting ministry: spiritual formation, self-care, emotional and cultural intelligence, marriage, and leadership development. Each theme contains these thoughts:

1. Spiritual formation: As clergy juggled numerous balls in life, they easily neglected their spiritual health. To stay grounded, the authors encouraged the development of disciplines such as Sabbath rest, prayer, worship, and personal reflection.
2. Self-care: Intentional care of the body, mind, and spirit revealed the range of issues a minister must cultivate creating healthy boundaries and vital routines for daily living. Understanding personal limits and rhythms remained key to survival in the ministry.
3. Emotional and cultural intelligence: An internal awareness of a pastor’s inner thoughts and people dynamics surrounding the ministry continue as a lifetime learning project. The growing diversity of the American society required a pastor to nurture a discernment and respect of varied opinions.
4. Marriage: The examination of the issues of abandonment and unmet needs for a spouse were essential. The concept of family systems insightfully exposed the issues inherent within domestic conflicts. In addition, the authors’ discussion of practical tips concerning contentious situations at home and ministry can produce strength in one’s personal and professional efforts.
5. Leadership development: The authors shared intriguing concepts of ‘poetic’ and ‘plumbing’ leadership. Though the plumbing side contained common sense ideas, the poetic element remained intuitive with a deep learning curve throughout a career in ministry.

In short, Resilient Ministry includes more than a psychological analysis regarding ministry. The authors frequently reiterated that family is of uppermost importance and the “on-the-job” nature of ministry must deal with the unique situation it places upon the spouse and children. Responsible self-care with the family creates better performance in the church and pulpit. Personally, as a pastor for twenty-eight years, I understand the pitfalls of pastoral ministry and watched ministers erode under criticism, and lack of preventative care. Resilient Ministry serves as a clarion reminder of the pressures in ministry but also offers hope and practical acumen concerning “how-to” stay strong and finish in the Lord’s service.

Reviewed by Rev. Dr. Cletus L. Hull, III

Publisher’s page: http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=4103

David Ravenhill, Surviving the Anointing: Learning to Effectively Experience and Walk In God’s Power (Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image, 2007), 198 pages, ISBN 0768424437.

David Ravenhill, son of the late Leonard Ravenhill, served in pastoral ministry for a number of years, in more recent times he has embarked on an itinerant preaching ministry. Surviving the Anointing is his attempt to address, and hopefully help curtail, some of the significant ministerial fallout that has been taking place in recent years. One figure that he gives in the book states that an average of 1500 ministers are leaving the ministry each month.

David Ravenhill

Sportscasters sometimes say that sporting events are won or lost based on the athlete’s ability to execute the fundamentals of the game. The fundamentals, though basic, are vital to success. This same principle holds true in the kingdom of God. In this book David Ravenhill does not set forth any secret formulas, on the contrary he reminds us of things that we should already know the fundamental elements of a healthy walk with God. The book contains fourteen chapters. He devotes a chapter to each of the following subjects: dependency, intimacy, authority, persistency, purity, empathy/compassion, humility, worship, diversity/variety, family, adversity, integrity, unity and eternity.

The book is easy to read, but it gives the reader a lot to think and pray about. Ravenhill’s words call us to reflect and take personal inventory as to where we stand with reference to the qualities that he addresses in each of the chapters. He does not sugarcoat issues. He sets forth the challenges that leaders face as well as the solutions to these challenges. Each chapter contains a significant amount of bible teaching and a number of contemporary stories are used as illustrations throughout the book. This is a “hard” book in that it calls us to apply ourselves to matters of purity, persistence and discipline. However, it is not an “angry” book; it does not beat up but seeks to build up. It seeks to call out the best in us. It is in some measure a call for us to watch our life and doctrine closely (1 Timothy 4:16). It is a book of “grace” in that it demonstrates that our only hope to survive in the midst of the battle with the world, the flesh and the devil is to stay close to the Lord and to follow His principles.

2013 edition.

Surviving the Anointing is an important book in this time when many ministers are falling or failing. It will also be an important book in the years to come as human nature and the challenges of ministry remain largely the same. However, this book is not just for ministers, the counsel it supplies is vital to all Christians. Some of the difficulties that those in ministry experience are demonic to be sure, but not all are. Some of the difficulties are due to a person’s own failures some have made unwise choices some have let down their guard, and some have become proud. This could happen to anyone of us if we are not careful. This book is an appeal for us to excel in the basics, for by doing so we can stand and “survive the anointing.”

Reviewed by John Lathrop

Preview Surviving the Anointing: http://books.google.com/books?id=GPQ7_T9aj7MC