Reclaiming the Joy of Ministry: The Grace Place Way To Clergy Wellness Paperback – January 27, 2021

This is a book I wish I would have had 25 years ago. If you are in full time church work, you not only need to read this book, but you need to apply its lessons to your life.

Pastor Z provides encouragement combined with insightful questions to walk beside the reader on a path of getting well to assist others.

To me, as a pastor of 36 years (30 in one congregation and now the last years as a bishop in my church body, the first three chapters hit home. The danger I have found is that it is pastors, ironically, who preach the freedom of the Gospel are under a self-imposed burden of "I have to do it... I have to do it." Zimmerman's book helped me look within and I found the truths from where I once was: "I must do it... but I know I can't" to "Well, I can't do it alone" to the truth he reminded my heart: "I can't do it at all." But in ministry which is hard work, follows the way of the cross, and demands servanthood - when you realize "I can't do it at all"- you can lean back in Christ's arms and find peace and a new joy in ministry !

In his new book Rev. Dr. Darrell Zimmerman from Grace Place Wellness Ministries does an excellent job of describing church worker/leader wellness, threats to wellness, and ways to maintain and improve wellness. The book is filled with practical, honest, Gospel-based insight and wisdom. It's helpful not only for dealing with problems but also for preventing problems from developing in the first place. Whether you're struggling or thriving or somewhere in between, this book will be a blessing to you and those whose lives you touch.

I love this book. Just the chapter titles, read by themselves, will encourage anyone who has ever tried to figure out how to work in ministry while staying mentally, spiritually, and physically healthy.But there's more to this book than a single big idea. The author leads readers through preventative practices and disciplines will help you stay joyful through the ups and downs of ministry life. Highly recommended.

After going through a Pandemic year, this book is timely for pastors and church workers. It tells the hard things that we need to evaluate.

What a great resource and contribution for those who serve. Thanks