Review of Weary, Burdened, and Burned Out

[Vivian Writes]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Weary, Burdened, and Burned Out" by Christopher A. Bassett, DMin.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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How do we know when we are burned out? Weary, Burdened & Burned Out by Christopher Bassett is a book that tells a story about the author and other individuals in ministerial work and their burnout experience. Christopher Bassett is a church pastor and military and police chaplain. He opens up with how his burnout began and how he felt miserable. As he illustrated, a burnout phase is like being on a treadmill, running, and putting in a lot of effort, yet being in the same place. From his own experience, he differentiates the burnout feeling from that of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

His sadness worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic when churches and schools were instructed to close down while some irrelevant places remained open. The movement of the church and ministry seemed to have been impeded, and pastors had to find something else to do. He went to study, and this gave him a sense of joy. Even when he was away from his family, he was figuring out his life situation and seeking a way to overcome his burnout. But burnout can be a tasking battle to fight. How does he tackle his burnout, and what does he have to teach other people in the ministry?

Weary, Burdened & Burned Out consists of 10 chapters and about 260 pages. Each story and chapter is accompanied by passages from the Bible to help guide readers. The author writes in a beautiful way to keep readers interested and seeking answers to emotional exhaustion. I like that the author exposes the difficulties of the ministerial work so that people can understand that pastors and chaplains have problems too. His approach to the issue of burnout is authentic and encourages solidarity and vulnerability.

The author’s focus included pastors and people in ministerial service. While his intention of helping people who might be in his shoes was clear, especially owing to his background, I thought that several teachings in the book could help anyone going through a burnout phase. The anger spurred by burnout that the author mentioned isn’t peculiar to just pastors, and he provided tips to help navigate such negative emotions, which could be beneficial to anyone regardless of their religion. The author also acknowledged the need for professional help, giving him extra points for ingenuity and responsibility, as emotions can't always be wished away by religion or faith.

I rate Weary, Burdened & Burned Out five out of five stars because, in addition to not finding any errors, there was nothing I disliked about it. It is an educational and inspirational book, and there's a lot of value in its message. Carefully mentioning suicides, the author shows how it shouldn't be an option when one feels depressed or tied down. I recommend this book to pastors, chaplains, other individuals in the ministry, and Christians who may be carrying a burden in their life. This book provides a friend for readers who feel like they are in the dark and shines a light on the path of self-rediscovery.

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Weary, Burdened, and Burned Out
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[Michael Valentine]

I would love to read this book to learn a little bit about pastors. Thank you for your review.

[Favour Ugwu Chidinma]

I think from Christopher burnout experience, there will be so much to learn from it. It interests me to find it out by reading this book. Thanks for the feedback.

[Shedrack A]

In this book, the author exposes the difficulties of the ministerial work so that people can understand that pastors and chaplains have problems too. Great review!

[Oluchi23]

I love the title of this book and I will add add it to my bookshelf ASAP. The title explains itself here. Thanks for this admirable review of yours.

[Bianca Morano]

Having burnout is a very exhausting experience. I could relate to the author of the book. I might try to check this one out.

[Baggett Yori]

"Weary, Burdened & Burned Out" by Christopher Bassett appears to be a poignant and insightful exploration of burnout in ministerial work, told through the author's personal experiences and those of others in similar roles. Bassett, a church pastor and military and police chaplain, candidly shares his own journey of burnout, highlighting the emotional exhaustion and challenges faced in ministerial service, especially during difficult times like the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Amanda Kenneth]

"Weary, Burdened & Burned Out" by Christopher Bassett delves into recognizing burnout, sharing personal and ministerial burnout experiences, and differentiating burnout from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

[itz maya]

This review effectively highlights the author's personal journey with burnout and its distinction from PTSD, particularly during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic. It praises Bassett's candid portrayal of ministerial struggles and his authentic, vulnerable approach to tackling burnout, making the book relatable to a wider audience beyond just pastors.

[Jake Shaun]

"Weary, Burdened & Burned Out" by Christopher Bassett explores burnout in ministerial work. Drawing from personal experience, Bassett shares valuable insights and strategies to overcome burnout, emphasizing self-care and resilience within the ministry.

[Dubem Jecinta]

In your review of Weary, Burdened & Burned Out, you effectively highlight Christopher Bassett’s candid exploration of burnout, especially in ministerial roles. His analogy of burnout as a treadmill and his experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic vividly illustrate the challenges faced. Your note on how he uses Biblical passages to guide readers through emotional exhaustion adds depth, and I appreciate your recognition of his authentic approach and emphasis on solidarity.

[Smart Link]

*Weary, Burdened & Burned Out* by Christopher Bassett offers a profound look into the realities of burnout, particularly in ministerial roles. The author's candid reflections on his own struggles with burnout provide a relatable and eye-opening account of what many in similar positions may experience. The book's exploration of burnout versus PTSD is particularly insightful, helping readers distinguish between these two often conflated conditions.

[Priscilla Kurah]

The book’s approach to burnout, especially within the context of ministry, highlights a critical issue often overlooked. Christopher Bassett's openness about his personal journey and the challenges he faced during the pandemic adds depth to the narrative, offering readers a genuine understanding of the emotional and psychological toll of burnout.