As a pastor that struggles with the best of them, I can say this book needs to be written.  Having followed Anne's writing for a long time, I can say that she is one of the best writers that I know. Combine her gift of writing with her personal story and testimony  and I believe you have a book that God can use in an amazing way. I am praying the writing goes great and look forward to reading it as soon as it is available.

Terry Storch, Digerati Pastor, LifeChurch.tv, Edmond, Oklahoma; Co-Author, The Blogging Church (Jossey-Bass)

In 1998 I loaded a U-haul with everything from my church office and thought, "I like Jesus, but I hate church.” (Yes, I did say it before Dan did!) It took about three years and a new vision of church before my wife and I landed at a great church in the Dallas area. I wish that Anne had written Mad Church Disease in 1998!

Shawn Wood, Experiences Pastor, Seacoast Church, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina

Growing up in and around ministry all my life (my dad was a pastor),I can tell this will be right up my alley. I watched "christian" people (deacons/etc.) lie, manipulate and spread division around my dad's church growing up as a kid.

HARD to believe that I now pastor the same church! Not a HINT of any of that AT ALL. Completely different place, that's for sure...Anyway - just wanted to encourage you in what you're doing.

Scott Hodge, Lead Pastor, Orchard Valley Community Church, Aurora, Illinois

I have worked in full time ministry since I was 23. It is the only "real job" I have ever had. This job is killing me and breathing life into me at the same time. This book is going to be a must for all ministers, young and old alike. I look forward to the healing.

Carlos Whittaker, Program Director, North Point Community Church, Alpharetta, Georgia

My dad was a dedicated father who worked two jobs to keep seven kids clothed and fed.  He was also a dedicated deacon at our local “Fundamental, Bible believin” church.  His work kept him away from us during weekdays and Saturdays.  The church kept him away from us most evenings and Sundays.  He eventually felt burned, especially after seeing his “commitment to Christ” push several kids away from Jesus.

I’ve often wondered, "why didn’t anyone at the church tell him to go home instead of attend deacon meetings?  Why didn’t they insist he play with his kids rather than teach a class?" I’m eager for Anne Jackson’s upcoming book “Mad Church Disease” to offer answers to my questions, and advice on how our generation can avoid similar mistakes.  A very important topic!

Kurt Bruner, Pastor of Spiritual Formation, Lake Pointe Church, Rockwall, Texas, Author of more than a dozen books including I Still Believe: Why Listening To Christianity’s Critics Strengthens Faith (Zondervan)

I'm really glad there's someone hip who's looking at this topic. Usually "cool" people are only seen as those who are going full-throttle 8 days a week with a reckless abandon. But i think "cool" people are also those who take care of their families and know when to rest and when not to be on attack mode. The verse "be still and know that I am God" is still in the Bible. Anyway, I'm glad you're bringing this "disease" to the forefront.

Dan Ohlerking, Missions, Healing Place Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Recently I became the Lead Pastor at the church I have attended for the past 26 years. If there is one thing I have discovered through this transition, it is that our greatest challenge as a church is not relevance, but relational in nature. If we are not relationally healthy, then relevance is only a thin layer of glitz that washes away all to quickly.

What I love about Anne is her ability to write in such a manner as to produce meaningful dialogues, rather than the same old, boring monologues. I can think of no better topic to discuss as the church.

Jason Boucher, Lead Pastor, LifeCentre Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

As the person responsible for doing much of the hiring/firing at our church, I am very familiar with the church burnout problem. I'm glad you are addressing it, Anne, I hope that it makes a big dent in the epidemic.

Matt Singley, Minister of Operations, Sunset Presbyterian Church, Portland, Oregon

Mad Church Disease is a much-needed book. Those of us involved in ministry know the danger of becoming burned out - and we all know people who have been there. Anne Jackson's authenticity and wit will take readers on an eye-opening journey across the mountaintops and through the deep valleys of ministry.

Marla Alupoaicei, Author and Director of Leap of Faith Ministries, marriageleap.com

Growing up as a Pastor's Kid, i've seen many people involved in ministry beat up and burned out. I've looked for a book like this but couldn't ever find one that was relevant, so I'm psyched to see this one in the making!

Clay Noe, New Vision Ministry Center, Louisville, Kentucky

God would never give us so much that we would ever need to burnout, so my conclusion on the matter is that burnout happens when we are doing someone else's job or not doing our job effectively by not drawing from God's resources.

Brett "Fish" Anderson, Lover of God and people, Student/Youth Ministry, Stellenbosch Vineyard Church, South Africa

Burnout is the killer heart disease of the church. I have seen so many good people go down never to rise again and really for no good reason - just bad lifestyles and unhealthy thinking when it comes to ministry. I'm looking forward to seeing this trend reversed.

Grant Sowter, Pastor, Mt. Mosaic Church, New Zealand

A very hush-hush topic has finally been brought into the open. Thank the Lord for Anne Jackson and her willingness to bring this out into the open.

Drew Martin, Former Preacher's Kid, Hot Springs, Arkansas

Mad Church Disease is a great concept and mission to fight. Far to many pastors, staff, volunteers and family members experience burnout. It is time we leaned on each other and bring healing in ministry.

Jason Curlee, Pastor, Corpus Christi, Texas

I thrill at serving within the church. What I lack is how to be more infectious with that sense of thrill, to motivate others to want to be a part of that thrill (sharing the load)and to prevent the inevitable yearly burn out that I, and most on my volunteer teams experience. Plugging in with other people in the same boat gives more bouyancy to the potential of finding a solution.

Melinda Groth, Intercessor and Advocate for the Next Generation, Sunset Presbyterian Church, Beaverton, Oregon

As a volunteer leader of a worship team for a "college church" one mile from the University of Tennessee, with constantly revolving membership and diverse congreation, I look forward to finding out how others are succeeding in the battle against Mad Church Disease.

Aaron Matthews, Worship Team Leader, Personnel Comittee Member, Knoxville, Tenneesee

I am a victim of Mad Church Disease, and I think it's great that someone has decided to bring much needed light to this touchy subject.

Brooke Sellers, Volunteer & Wife of a paid church musician, Family Life Church, Brunswick, Georgia

There's a blip on the radar, and it's getting bigger - too big to ignore. Anne has uncovered a subject that is taboo to many, but most who are at risk are unaware of the dangers - act now before it's too late!

Mark Jaffrey, Worship Director, Maadi Community Church, Maadi, Cairo, Egypt

Anne is a fantastic writer whose own personal journey shares a level of insight that is both challenging and redemptive in its own right! I look forward to seeing what will come in this book based on what I have read off her blog!

Zach Tanksley, Former Production Assistant, Neighborhood Church of Redding, Redding, California

After fifteen years in church leadership I was just about "done in" but since then I have been taking a better journey. It isn't an easy journey but it is a breathtaking one.

Geoffrey Baines, Chaplain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Who hasn't felt beat up or burned out in ministry at one time or another? We are working against the enemy after all. What an encouragement to see that an open dialogue can begin about this "disease" - a way for us all to remember Who provides the cure. Looking forward to your amazing book Anne!

Bre Holifield, Video Director, Valley Creek Church, Flower Mound, Texas

As someone only two years into church ministry, I already see the burnout in my pastors, my co-workers, friends, and myself. We are told to balance, "just say no", prioritize... but when its all said and done... Its hard to balance, we don't want to say no, and serving God should be a priority. Its tough, and I am excited to see how this topic is responded to.

Cori Fisher, Small Groups & Spiritual Formation Assistant, Abundant Life Church, Happy Valley, Oregon

A much needed, long overdue effort to help those in ministry suffering from past unhealthy church staff situations (burnout, fatigue, abuse, etc.)

John Carlson, Instrumental Music Director, Parkview Church, Iowa City, Iowa, and Former 10 Year Staff Member, Mega Church of 20,000

Enough is enough! So many of us get burned out, used up and spit out, its about time we have a resource to help combat burnout!

Dustin Bryson, Student Minstries, Eastgate Christian Fellowship, Panama City Beach, Florida

As a leader in ministry I personally know the effect of burnout. Somehow I seemed to get in a mindset that because it was for God I had to inquire it into every moment of my day and life. Now that I have seen this affect me the way it did, I have been able to see burnout in others more clearly even when they have not been able to see it themselves. I need this book! People Need this Book! Thank you, Anne.

Gretchin Anderson, Grade School Ministry Director, The Chapel, Grayslake Illinois

The tragedy is not just that the church "shoots its wounded" but that all too often it wounds them in the first place. Learning how to make ministry in the church a more healthy working environment is a key issue facing the contemporary church. We are little more than hypocrites if our working practices in the church contradict the message we proclaim as the church.

James Petticrew, Pastor, Mosaic, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

The current state of the Church is both encouraging and scary. There are many new voices that we're all listening to and being inspired by, but what happens if and when they get burnt out?

I am a big fan of both Anne's writing and her ability to say what we are all thinking. Can't wait to see what she has to say!

Brian Hale, Financial Advisor, Volunteer Worship Leader, People's Church, Fresno, California

It's somewhat odd to think of it as a "disease," but it's true that there is a need to address this problem. The repercussions of being overly committed and leading an unbalanced life will affect far more than you know.

Pete Kim, Church Volunteer & Deacon

God wants us to finish strong and so few do; we need this type of insight to remain couageous in finishing the race and completing the task the Lord Jesus has given us.

Michael McLemore, FloatingAxeHead.com

I think this is a great idea and is one that is true in many lives. Just like everything else, you need to be able to say enough is enough. As pastors, we often do this to ourselves and a lot of times it occurs for wrong reasons. There is a way to have a sustainable pace in ministry but it has to be a priority. We are now a church of 5000 and I think it might be a bit easier to accomplish this as a bigger church over a smaller one where the pastor has to wear so many hats. Bottom line - Mad Church Disease is real, but it surely isn't God's plan for his church or his leaders. Great idea! I trust God blesses your efforts!

Tom Lance, Senior Pastor, The Grove Community Church, Riverside California

Anne is guilty of writing things that hit home for me on so many levels. This book has been needed for quite some time.

Jeremy Darnell, High School Worship Leader, Mt. Zion Christian Fellowship, Greenville, South Carolina

I have witnessed the burnout brought on by Mad Church Disease first-hand in my family, and know this is going to be a book many need to read. Anne is definitely the right person to bring it!

John Blanchard, Internet Campus Administrator, LifeChurch.tv, Edmond, Oklahoma

I'm looking forward to this book with great anticipation. I've appreciated Anne's insight for the last few years on her blog, and know that she's tapped into something we've probably all experienced, and therefore find the need to be repaired and restored at some level. I've worked at large churches and small churches, volunteer ministries and Christian college recruiting ministries, and my story is the same at every single one of them. There's been a point in every ministry where I felt like throwing in the towel, and the circumstances were always easily avoidable if we knew the damage we were doing to one another.

Jeff Miller, Worship Leader, New Hope Baptist Church, Aubrey, Texas

I have seen too many flame out, burn out or just spiritually die. I sure don’t want to be part of those statistics. I am anxious to learn what you discover.

Mark Bjorlo , Lead Pastor, The Journey North, Brainerd, Minnesota

I'm really looking forward to see what comes out of this. I know I'm not the expert, but in all of my reading, I've never come across a book like this. I'm fairly new to the ministry game, and l am looking forward to finishing strong. This is something that I think will help me toward that goal.

Tyler Madison, Youth Director, Northridge, Grand Island, Nebraska

Finally something has been written, not just for the ministry staff, but for those who he/she ministers to and with. Can't wait to share with my leadership Anne's findings and research. One of the first things my leadership team did was give my wife the "Green Light" to tell them straight up if I was spending too much time at church and not enough with my family. That spoke volumes to her. And she's kept her word and so have they. Thanks Anne.

Bob Hicks, Sr. Pastor, North Madison Christian Church, Madison, Indiana

I volunteer in many capacities within the church and am feeling called to do more in ministry. Anne's down to earth, practical style always challenges and encourages discussion. I am looking forward to her tackling the topic of 'Mad Church Disease!'

Rindy Walton, Volunteer & Leader, Northgate Free Methodist Church, Batavia, New York

I own several anger management eudcation centers in Los Angeles and have facilitated anger management seminars in local churches in the area. I have come across several people in church leadership who have become verbally or physically aggressive due to church burn out. The aggression is not always exhibited within a church setting but at home where people tend to let down their gaurd.

Shannon Munford M.A. MFT, CAMF Daybreak Counseling Services, Los Angeles, California

I cannot wait to hear about the findings of this book. God has given me a GREAT passion for people and the VISION for our church. It will be exciting to hear how others face the the dilemna of inviting others to join me in the Vision run!

Heidi Cassadas, First Impressions Team Director, New Life Church, El Cajon, California

We went from being fully involved and participating in many ministries to fully disengaging with church in full. We are not angry, we are not hurt - we have been both, but are not any longer. We just feel that church as we currently know it in the world today is IRRELEVANT. So, we have taken to living life in relationship with others, delving deeply into each others' lives, and raising our children in the light of a loving, precious, personal God, who is Christ. We talk with them as we walk along the way and live our daily lives, and without the baggage, busyness and abuse that have been much of our church experience.

Jeff Dean, Chatanooga, Tenneesee

Thank you for writing this book. I have been in youth minstry for 18 years, and in that time have accomplished more than most come close to in a lifetime- even as lead pastors. Many others strive to emulate me and are even envious, which is laughable now. I resigned two weeks ago, as the church has nearly destroyed my family. I tried to change the culture alone, and I couldn't. Now, maybe someone out there will listen.

Vincent Arnone, Youth Minister, Zion's Church, Hamburg, Pennsylvania

Having been in the ministry for over 25 years now I've seen and experienced almost all of the reasons someone would leave the ministry. This is a book that NEEDS to be written and placed into the hands of every person currently on staff at a church, thinking about going into ministry, and given to all church members. We need to learn how to support, encourage, and hold up the hands of those in the battle instead of beating them down and kicking them into the gutter. I can't wait for the book!

Jeff Wilson, Elder/Pastor of Education, Henderson Hills Baptist Church, Edmond, Oklahoma

It's about time this story was told. May God bless you and your ministry, Anne. God loves the local church, and if this book can help save some of the people involved in ministry there, then it'll be well worth the effort. Heaven forbid we should blame God, the church, or other people for our burnout, however. I pray this book is part of the solution and the beginning of a path towards healing for those that read it.

Kim Aliczi, Former Worship Leader, Manchester, Connecticut

I can't wait to get my eyes on a copy. Being a 'young guy' in ministry is exciting and extremely difficult at the same time. It'll be a blessing to soak in some words 'o wisdom on how to keep going and not burnout.

Matt Olds, Worship Pastor, Central Community Christian Fellowship, Riverside, California

Being a pastor is the only career-type job I've ever had. I grew up with a pastor for a father and have always been heavily involved in church. I've learned that even though many pastors are treated very poorly by their churches, we still choose to stay in that situation at the expense of our lives and families. I've been blessed to have a church and boss who's teaching me to value my personal faith and family over my ministry. I hope this book will do the same.

Justin Landis, Music & Arts Pastor, Cedar Hills Church, Sandpoint, Idaho