Rest in the Storm: Self-Care Strategies for Clergy and Other Caregivers, 20th Anniversary Edition

Product Description

A best-seller among seminarians and seasoned leaders alike, this 20th anniversary edition offers updated and expanded content for readers familiar with the original as well as those new to the work. In both modest and substantial additions throughout, the expanded edition also features a new Author’s Introduction and two fresh chapters on “Cultivating Meaningful Friendships” and “Unleashing Dynamic Creativity”!

Review

“In this anniversary edition of Rest in the Storm: Self-Care Strategies for Clergy and Other Caregivers, Kirk Byron Jones provides us ‘Martha’ types with access to the ‘Mary’ within us (Luke 10:38-42). Specifically, his exegesis of Martha and Mary’s conflict with each other and of their encounter with Jesus, opens up new possibilities for Marthas like me. Jones writes that Martha was many different things, not just a one-note housekeeper, but was actually a person who had room for rest in her heart. But she needed to make the transition from being open to rest that lets Jesus in to making Jesus the one thing she prioritized highest. “The lessons one finds in Rest in the Storm disrupt old caricatures that exhaust ministers. For instance, the stereotype that there are ‘deep’ ministers who let others do their work for them and ‘worker-bee’ ministers who lack theological depth, cannot survive Jones’ nuanced and generous perspective on self-care. The book itself is both deep and practical—Mary and Martha, together—and a classic.”—Sarah Birmingham Drummond, Founding Dean, Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School
“Dr. Kirk Byron Jones’s book is powerful, insightful, and thought-provoking. His prophetic imagination and metaphorical language ground his readers. He cautions those who may be pastors, teachers, social workers, or caregivers to a parent never to robe themselves with the dangerous ‘Salvific Savior’ syndrome. Dr. Jones urges caregivers to find their way to ‘the back of the boat,’ a metaphor for the necessary break needed to set margins and boundaries. A well-written book that provides guidelines for the caregiver.” —Reverend Dr. Randy L. Ware, former New York Progressive Baptist State Convention, Inc. President and Senior Pastor of the Greater Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, NY “The hope of the past speaks volumes to our present in this anniversary edition of the seminal work by Rev. Dr. Kirk Byron Jones. Dr. Jones’s theological underpinning is thorough and forged in the experience of humanity infused with divinity. The book’s contents stretch the heart and search the soul, fortifying one’s faith to seek refuge in the ever-present reality of God’s omnipotence and to escalate hope in the midst of despair. In today’s multifaceted crisis of twin pandemics, racism and COVID-19, Dr. Jones introduces us to stormology, a new form of theology and a new way of navigating the storms of our lives. The readers that digest this work will be empowered.” —Paris L. Smith Sr., Pastor, Mount Carmel Baptist Church, D.C.“Rest in the Storm is a seminal work by pastor, scholar, teacher Kirk Byron Jones. He postulates that the violence of overload is a socially acceptable form of brutality and that self-violence and overload are disguised as exemplary commitment when, in fact, they are lethal to self-healing, refreshment, and tending to one’s soul. Dr. Jones provides a way back to freedom—a way back to abiding in the Presence through sabbath engagement, creativity, and an authentic friendship with one’s true self and with others.” –Betty Wright-Riggins, Spiritual Director, Oasis Ministry for Spiritual Development and Spiritual Direction Network at Princeton Theological Seminary“With the 20th Anniversary Edition of Rest in the Storm, Kirk Byron Jones refreshes this essential classic by reminding us of the soul-shaping power of deep, authentic friendship and by urging us to embrace what it means to manifest the Imago Dei through empowering our creative selves. If you read the original edition, I invite