Another book I read whilst on retreat was Ministry Burnout by John Sanford. It contains some fantastic wise thoughts on burnout and dealing with ministry. Sometimes the book became too philosophical and psychological, focusing on the work of Jung etc., and telling a lot of fables as illustrations but it had some very powerful quotes, for example:
We act as though we cannot help working so many days a week, but often the truth is that we prefer to work.
It also highlighted something I’d never really thought about before – the importance of a minister having a hobby that allows completion, such as woodwork, so that there is a sense of achievement in life, when in pastoral ministry there is often no completion.
