Author Rhona Knight
Publisher Grove £4.95
Format pbk
ISBN 9781788272834
Rhona Knight was a GP for many years before her ordination and she has used her considerable experience of health matters and her extensive knowledge of theology and scripture to produce an important and timely book designed to promote well-being and resilience among ministers. Her essential message is captured in the famous verse from Matthew 11:28 – ‘Come to me all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest.’ The book explores many practical aspects of ministry life, including flourishing in ministry and self-care – with the rather lovely idea that we should ‘love ourselves for the sake of loving God’.
The book is tightly packed with theology and practical guidance and so, as with many Grove books, it is not a quick read. There are many references and citations and most of these are quickly accessible on websites. Therefore any minister who requires more detailed information, for example on ‘burnout’ or coping with trauma, will have plenty of resources. There are even several QR codes within the book, providing instant material and ideas for your electronic device.
The wealth of material in the book is so considerable that I gained the impression that this is really a much abbreviated outline for a more comprehensive volume. Take, for example, this extraordinary (stand-alone) sentence: ‘The wider biblical context of the narratives of Bathsheba and of the dismembered concubine [a reference to Judges chapter 19] is of all women being equal in the eyes of God to free men and not objects to be raped and abused’. It seems to me that unpacking that single sentence with all its many theological and sociological implications would be worth a whole chapter in any textbook. I do hope, therefore, that Dr Knight will eventually expand her work and publish a longer version.
Although the book is probably directed more to clergy (especially those running parishes) than to Readers/LLMs, it will be a useful reference for all ministers. Bishops and Archdeacons should read it, if only to help them reflect on how the pressures on their ministers should be managed and minimised. The written sections are interspersed with many questions for reflection, and these could form the basis for discussions at a ministry team awayday. In conclusion, this little book is excellent value for money and is warmly recommended.
Reviewed by ELIZABETH STEPHENSON
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