Attention Podcasters – Would you like to talk about Do I Stay Christian?
A friend and colleague just finished reading the manuscript of Do I Stay Christian? He said he couldn't stop reading and called it my "piece de resistance." If you'd like to invite me to talk about the book on your podcast, you can contact John Karle at this email address: john.karle@stmartins.com. John can schedule our conversation and mail you an advanced reader copy. He'll also invite you to participate in a fun zoom gathering with all the podcasters who invite me to join them. That gathering will be on the release date, May 24.
We'll be scheduling podcast interviews April 10-12 and 17 - 19, and May 10-12 and 17-19.
If you'd like to preorder the book, you'll find links here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250262806/doistaychristian
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If you’re a pastor, ministry leader, or other compassionate human feeling weary, worn out, or on the edge …
I'm honored to be part of this post-Easter retreat -- April 18-21 -- at Montreat in North Carolina.
Discovering Renewal
Some retreats are more like conferences with lots of input. That's good and needed sometimes. But other times, what you need as a quiet place in nature's beauty ... with time to unwind, rest, and simply enjoy being human. I'll be leading one daily session focused on deep renewal, but other than that, you'll have free time with options for some physical activity -- including guided hiking (with Aram Mitchell), yoga (with Mary Caroll Dodd), and fly fishing (with Tanner Pickett).
I hope you'll consider joining us, right after Easter, for Discovering Renewal: https://montreat.org/events/renewal-2022
By the way - what this article describes about Baptists and burnout probably applies to all denominations: https://baptistnews.com/article/leaving-church-part-2-the-great-baptist-resignations-and-covid/
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A Catholic and a Protestant Walk Into a Blog
I think you'll be glad you read this piece co-written with my friend Patrick Carolan. Be sure to notice the dynamic tension between the first and third paragraphs.
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/franciscan-spirit-blog/faithful-democracy-needs-you
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Using We Make the Road by Walking in 2022-2023
You'll find a lot of resources for using We Make the Road by Walking here: https://www.facebook.com/wemaketheroadbywalking/
Here's the schedule if you're preaching/studying from the book each week in 2022 - 2023:
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Q & R: Pastors and Burnout
Here's the Q:
I am writing to thank you, for the book, 'Faith after doubt' , for helping me feel less alone and to understand the fear some of my [church members feel] by having me as their new minister.
Also, I am writing to ask do you have any resources / recommendations for ministers / pastors who are experiencing burnout, being overstretched?
Last week I popped into my local independent bookshop... Christmas [gift cards] in hand, I went to pick up books that caught my eye, had been on my wish list. I was not expecting to see your book in this very small shop.I bought Faith after doubt, ( having read other books by you before and finding them very good and useful), without fully understanding it was really for those currently struggling with doubt. I'm someone who has always doubted the concrete doctrines, and always been 'liberal' in my theology. Coming to faith as a young adult. I'm now in my twelfth year of ordained ministry ... I moved to a new area ... where I have been given the extra responsibility of superintendency. One of my new Churches is Conservative Evangelical and the leadership there are not welcoming me in.In discussion with a colleague this week I see now they are fearful of what I represent, female, liberal, minister. Your book is helping me explore and understand the details of that.I'm also aware that due to near burn out just before the pandemic hit, my reserves are lower.[Many] clergy here [in my region] are overstretched, many tired, some like me, exhausted by trying to balance congregations who hold contrary convictions on parts of theology, such as same-sex marriage.Thank you for writing, sharing a book that is supporting so many , for me at a time when I feel very fragile and when I am unsure how long I can remain in full time ministry, but which is also supporting me and helping me understand my 'difficult' church.
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