Overview

Many books on leadership and ministry are written from the point of view of success and strength. In Sustaining Leadership Paul Swann writes out of the raw experience of failure, getting to the heart of who we are as leaders rather than what we do. From this he offers both hope and practical resources for sustaining effective long-term ministry, looking at self-care, balance and healthy ministry, feasting on divine love, and more. As he says, this is the best gift we can offer those we serve.

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Reviews

"'What a gift Paul has brought to those of us in Christian ministry who live with the ever-present danger of trying to do more than our strength allows. Based on his own personal experience, and filled with insights from scripture and a breadth of reading, Paul convincingly argues the case for self-care. His healing message is liberating and timely. It is a call to learn how to work with God, not just for God. It is a summons to dare to believe ""I too am more important than my ministry.""' Tony Horsfall, author of Servant Ministry (BRF, 2013) 'Paul Swann offers biblical insight alongside wisdom born of personal experience into an aspect of ministry to which many leaders fail to give sufficient attention - our own emotional and spiritual well-being. This is an honest and helpful book for all in, preparing for or considering church leadership.' Emma Ineson, Principal, Trinity College Bristol 'As I read this timely book in order to endorse it, I realised that I could not rush it, and you will not be able to either. The pervading challenge of keeping the balance between what we give out and take in, spiritually, is an electrifying antidote to the intoxicating, yet crippling lure of productivity and personality-driven ministry. Through this written masterclass on how to care for your soul, Paul Swann has managed to distil lashings of ancient and contemporary wisdom, combine it with his own intensely personal story, and provide a precious recipe for how to get going, keep going and finish well - and not just in leadership and ministry, but life generally! I shall be recommending it widely as crucial reading for folk that I mentor and coach, who need to be constantly reminded that they are more important than their ministry.' Paul Wilcox, mentor/coach and author of Intentional Mentoring (Instant Apostle, 2018) 'Paul has truly gifted us a book full of wisdom, insight, hope and encouragement. It's the fruit of his own journey and leadership story that he speaks of with honesty and courage. Paul invites us to discover the freedom of embracing our weakness, ministering in vulnerability, and letting what we do truly flow from who we are and whose we are. I am privileged to have followed in his footsteps here at All Saints, and even more so to have journeyed with him over the last few years and seen how God has worked in and through Paul in such powerful and beautiful ways. Any leader, of whatever kind, committed to going the distance and finishing their race must read this book, carefully and prayerfully.' Rich Johnson, New Wine Chair of Regional Directors, Regional Director for the South West and vicar of All Saints Worcester"

Author Information

Paul Swann trained for ordination in the Anglican Church and served in two growing parishes in the Diocese of Worcester. In 2008, Paul was forced to retire early and spent four years in the wilderness of total fatigue. Since 2012, Paul has begun to offer a new ministry from this place of weakness. He has served as diocesan adviser on spirituality, offers spiritual direction and leads retreats. The insights of this book are drawn from these experiences.

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