A life in Christian ministry can be tremendously rewarding and exhilarating. It can also be incredibly demanding and stressful. Professional church workers run the risk of becoming depleted—spiritually, relationally and vocationally, as well as physically and financially. Nearly every minister endures times of significant hardship, but few are willing to admit how overwhelmed they often feel by the demands and expectations placed on them. Longtime parish pastor Darrell Zimmerman will guide you on a detailed analysis of the hazards of the ministerial lifestyle and help you discover new possibilities for a long, joyful and fruitful career in ministry. His insights are grounded in the latest research into church worker stress and burnout, and informed by his vast experience as a parish pastor and as a mentor and guide to other church workers. The reader will learn to: Monitor the presence of the Spirit’s gift of JOY, our fuel for ministry; Assess their spiritual wellbeing and renew their life with God; Tend to their relationships to find encouragement, love and unity; Make vocational, physical and financial health top priorities.

Rev. Dr. Darrell Zimmerman