I just ordered/bought this book . . .
Yesterday Ryan gave away three of these books. After reading about the book on his site at This Is Reverb, I decided it was worth reading. I bought one as a gift for our pastor too. (ssshhhh…don’t tell him). When I’m done reading it, I’ll pass it along to you….if you want me to.
This person’s comment on Ryan’s blog struck a chord with me. I have experienced some burnout…and people burnout.
” …but i think the entire church is suffering from burnout, members and ministry team members alike.
i don’t know what it’s like where you are, but my experience, just as a backing away cause i can’t meet every night of the week member, is that the church can keep you busy to the point that you don’t have time for anything else. What is the point in that. We have become so closed off from the world because we don’t have time for them. We’re too busy with our meetings and small groups and programs and pot lucks to ever have a chance to breathe. And when you say “i can’t do this anymore” people look at you like you’ve lost your mind and pity you because you just don’t have your act together, you poor thing……
Where does time to worship and study and spend time with family and build relationships with the very people we’re trying to reach come in? Sorry, but i had to get that off my chest.”
These days I’m not so compelled to jump on the “keep busy” bus….and attend everything the church doors are open for….or any other door for that matter. I like our pace of life…we have more space. Now we need to be careful to use that space wisely. This is a fine balancing act. Those are wise words quoted above –maybe we all should evaluate our lives and hearts as we plan church events, meetings, socials, small groups, etc.
If you want to read the book after me….and live in “handing off” range….sign up in the comments! If you don’t live in handing off range….let me know too…Maybe we can start a “sisterhood of the traveling book”!