At the heart of this book lie two key ideas: First, you can't give what you don't have. It is imperative that pastors keep close to their call, close to their mission, and close to God. In other words, leaders must take care of themselves before they can do anything for anyone else. And second, the ministry of pastors is not to fulfill all the tasks of ministry themselves, but rather to equip others for their own ministry. This book is not for those who want "ministry as usual." Rather, it is for those who want to rediscover that primal, original moment with God that left them feeling as if they could change the world--or for those who want to discover that call for the first time. For such seekers, this book can serve as a guide along their journey.
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About the Author
Bill Easum is President of 21st-Century Strategies, a church consulting and nurturing firm. One of the most widely sought advisers on congregational health and vitality in North America, he has over 30 years of congregational experience, with approximately 25 years' experience as a pastor. One of the most respected voices on emerging forms of ministry and congregational life, he is the author of several books, including Unfreezing Moves, Put On Your Own Oxygen Mask First, Go Big!, (with Bil Cornelius), and Ministry in Hard Times (with Bill Tenny-Brtiian), all published by Abingdon Press.
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Bill Easum has a thirty year track record of growing congregations in two denominations. His last church, which he pastored for twenty-four years, grew to the largest United Methodist Church in South Texas. The past twenty years, Bill has served as a consultant to congregations and denominations. In 1986 he founded 21st Century Strategies. Bill has personally worked in over 700 congregations, some of which are the largest in the nation, and has taught hundreds of thousands of leaders (client list http://easumbandy.com/services/consultations/our_list_of_clients/). Bill is the author of more than a dozen best selling books.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rediscovering vocation; inspiring leadership,
By William Pinches "PC(USA) Pastor" (Mason, MI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Put on Your Own Oxygen Mask First: Rediscovering Ministry (Paperback)
"We live in a time when God doesn't need any more caretakers of the institution. God needs called and equipped leaders who can bring the kingdom to bear on this earth." This is a book about leadership in the church -- and what it has to do with calling and equipping. Easum hopes that the book will help readers to "rediscover that primal, naïve, original moment with God that left us feeling as if we could change the world," or "discover for the first time the indescribable experience of feeling called by God to serve the mission." The heart of the book is about identifying within yourself a mission worth living and dying for. "Pastors spend the bulk of their time visiting hospitals and shut-ins, doing the priesthood of all believers, going to meetings, writing sermons, counseling, arbitrating church fights, and at best trying to get a few souls to follow their lead. Such action is not what Jesus intended. . . . Making disciples who do God's will is the bedrock passion of authentic Christianity. Pastors are called to equip God's people. And God's people are called to transform the world. Somewhere along the way, too many of us have lost this passion. In its place we put a desire to care for others and help them achieve whatever it is that they desire to do with their life and church. Like Aaron, we help them build a golden calf." The bulk of the book is about authentic and effective leadership. Most of the chapters directly bear on matters of vocation. Exercises are provided to help the reader discover or re-discover her/his sense of call. The book concludes with an exercise in which the reader develops his/her own personal mission statement. The whole book is helpful (I am still processing what Easum had to say on pages 48 and 49 about what a pastor should do in her/his first year), but I found two of the appendices to be particularly helpful: one entitled "The Problem with Mercy Gifts," which discusses unhealthy patterns of behavior that pastors can get stuck in, and a second entitled "The Small Dysfunctional Church," which discusses why it seems to be the case that small churches are so much more prone to dysfunction than larger churches. A good read -- one that challenges you to do some difficult internal work.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wish I had read it in seminary!,
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This review is from: Put on Your Own Oxygen Mask First: Rediscovering Ministry (Paperback)
This book is one of the most powerful I have ever read in ministry. Easum succinctly and evocatively describes effective pastoral leadership in a way that is both inspiring and humbling. The appendixes, questions for reflection, and examples from his practice would be worth the price of the book even without the clear thesis, compelling writing, and practical advice.
I was encouraged by a pastor friend to buy this book and I encourage every minister to do the same.
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