Tag Archive - anne jackson

Mad Church Disease

April 27, 2009 in Books with 1 Comment

Knocked out another book of my 2009 Reading List.

The book was “Mad Church Disease: Overcoming the Burnout Epidemic” by Anne Jackson.

Anne’s book gives a real confession and information to help the reader diagnose burnout. She starts by sharing her own story of a long road towards burnout and how she prayed as a sixteen year old telling God that she would desert the church forever if He did not use her to unify it.

The book uses comparisons to mad cow disease and shows us how “mad church disease” can knock anyone out of ministry–not just pastors. Burnout affects all church staff and even volunteers at times.

Anne shares five principles of recovery and then takes the reader through some paths to recovery that include spiritual health, physical health, emotional health and relational health. The book is also full of practical exercises to help readers work through burnout and “second opinions” from others in ministry such as Bill Hybels.

You can click here to read a free sample chapter of MCD. Anne Jackson currently serves on staff at Cross Point Church and lives with her husband who is a musician, in Nashville, TN. You can also follow her blog at www.flowerdust.net.
Here are a few hard hits from the book at knocked me down:

  • “Since I had allowed spending time with God to be replaced by spending time doing things for God, my spiritual tank had been sucked dry.”
  • There is no if or when. Satan is trying to destroy you no matter what.
  • The successes, failures, joys and pains are all wonderfully woven together to make you who you are at this point. Don’t regret the bad stuff.
  • Creating boundaries isn’t selfish. It’s necessary.
  • “Everybody thinks of changing humanity and nobody thinks of changing himself.” -Leo Tolstoy
  • Self-reliance quietly whispers to our souls, “You don’t need rest. You don’t need to refresh. You can do everything on your own. God is helping you, right?” (Not true)
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Listen to Your Momma

February 24, 2009 in GOD, Leadership with 2 Comments

Did your momma ever tell you “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothin’ at all”???

Jentezen Franklin really rocked my world at the Creative Church Conference last week.

He opened up the conference speaking on how Christians MUST “de-horn” each other and learn what mercy is. We like to think that “we” are right and “they” are wrong. So we draw horns on “them.”

The tongue is the greatest and worst thing in the world. Or, in our case sometimes, the keyboard. I couldn’t help but think about the bloggers that have nothing better to do than sit around and bash churches who are really going after people far from God, like we do at The Connection Church.

Then something Jentezen said (I don’t even remember what it was) made me realize “wait a second! I’m a j-e-r-k too.” I don’t do it on the blog, but I do tear other Christ followers down at times when I am with certain people.

Then, this morning, I read this verse from Paul:

“But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”  -Philippians 1:18

My friend Anne said it this way a while back:

“Suck up the pride, bite your tongue, and listen to your momma. If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothin’ at all. People will know us by the love we have for each other. Remember that.”

Ouch.

God, teach me to say something nice.

I want to be known for what I am FOR, not what I am against.

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Viral Vision

February 3, 2009 in GOD, Life Change with 3 Comments

I love how web 2.0 tools allow vision to go viral. Last week, I posted this blog with a heart shattering video.

Then, it was posted over at Simply Missional.

Then, Flowerdust posted it and had people sponsor Compassion Kiddos.

Then it was shared all over twitter.

Then all over Facebook.

It was posted at These Words of Mine.

You get the idea.

Or do you? We can’t – in good faith – see something like this, know that it is happening…and sit back and do nothing.

Think about it this way…doing something isn’t just about helping these children. It’s not just about releasing children from the burden of poverty — it’s about releasing us from the burden of wealth.

Again, I CHALLENGE YOU.

Go sponsor a Compassion Kiddo NOW.

Something tells me that if you have a computer to read this post, you can probably swing the $32 a month. Sponsoring a child is simple. Over 80% of your sponsorship goes directly to support that child and his/her family with basic needs – food, health care, education and also, Compassion is dedicated to sharing the gospel with these children.

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Brilliant Blogs (and Links)

December 3, 2008 in Blogging with 2 Comments

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