Re-Blog of Tony Morgan

Here's a total quotation of Tony Morgan's latest blog post. Sounds like this is a book I'll have to put on my "to read" list. Original post can be found here (if you're involved in any aspect of ministry and you're not following Tony, you should be.)

I recently finished up the Kindle version of Anne Jackson’s new book, Mad Church Disease. First of all, let me reiterate that I love reading and taking notes using the Kindle. Completely changes how I engage a book.

Secondly, this book in particular is one of those books that every person on staff in a ministry should read. If you aren’t currently facing the “disease” of which Anne writes, you probably will. Here are some of the highlights from my reading:

“I had allowed spending time with God to be replaced by spending time doing things for God.”
“The fear of letting people down, especially in spiritual matters, can often cause us to feel obligated or pressured into meeting unrealistic expectations, or worse, spending more time doing things for God instead of being what God wants us to be.”
“If the leader is exhausted, then the people following that leader will feel exhausted.” –Bill Hybels
“There are a lot of Christ-followers who haven’t taken the time to figure out what their holy discontent is, and so they’re doing a gradual slide into apathy and complacency—and that is unconscionable in a broken and lost world.” –Bill Hybels
“My experience is that it’s really easy to trash-talk churches or methods that aren’t what we think they should be.”
“There are no perfect churches to serve in, no perfect pastors to work for, and no perfect environments.”
“I could have prayed to be healed from depression, but if I hadn’t taken the necessary steps, I would have never come out of it.”
“An unguarded strength can become your greatest weakness.” –Wayne Cordeiro
“You are responsible both for the choices you’ve made in life and for seeking God’s plan for your healing.”
“You should design your ministry around your family values.” –Craig Groeschel
“One of the most important words in your healing—’NO!’ You may feel guilty for saying it. People may get angry at you for saying it. But you must say it!”
“The leaders who were the healthiest were the ones who never disrespected the people who hurt them.”
“We believe lies that tell us that our worth is in our productivity.”
“We cannot be dependent on ourselves and on God at the same time. When we consider the practice of rest unnecessary, we will also inevitably lose sight of the necessity of God.”
Aside from the great insights, Anne is obviously a gifted writer. I think you will enjoy and be challenged by this book.