Running on Empty: The Gospel for Women in Ministry

by Barbara Bancroft

You Are Not Fueled by Coffee, Sleep, or Approval. As women, ministry pushes us to moments of insufficiency, exposes our weaknesses, and tests our patience. Some days it feels like a little more sleep, a lot more coffee, and a pat on the back might sustain us. But down deep, we know these things can never fuel our ministries. Positive without being cliché, Running on Empty presents the realities of vocational ministry with humor and hope. Author Barbara Bancroft draws from her experience as a Christian, missionary woman and pastor's wife to demonstrate how the gospel must be our message to ourselves as well as others. Along the way, she confronts the mythic ministry model of Proverbs 31 and other stereotypes and expectations that hinder women from enjoying and displaying the gospel each day. Running on Empty's down-to-earth, humorous writing style reaches out to weary women reluctant to read another book on ministry. Offering more than crisis management tips or how-tos, Running on Empty reorients Christian women's hearts and minds to the joy of belonging to Jesus Christ and being a part of his kingdom work. Ideal for small group discussion or personal reflection, Running on Empty stretches beyond burnout prevention strategies all the way to joy and purpose in ministry.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Womens, Faith, Christian Non Fiction, Religion

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Linda Filcek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good truth encouragement from a woman who’s done ministry for many years. I’ve read it a few times before and am always challenged and encouraged to live IN the Gospel and freedom in Christ. (And convicted of my selfishness and sin!)

[Gabrielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent book with lots of gold--truths that I highlighted to come back to later. I'm not a missionary or a pastor's wife, so I'm not necessarily its intended audience, but much of what she says is incredibly helpful for women helping in the local church and even for moms as we battle sin areas while parenting and serving. I wanted to rate this book higher but I found the organization to be unhelpful and even frustrating at times. Each chapter felt more like two because of the disjointed divisions. Headings at intervals in the chapters would make it feel less rambling and give the reader an idea of where she's going, allowing us to better organize our thoughts while reading. The word "lastly," for example, should be used at the very end, and anything else just frustrates the reader in what is an absolute gem of a book. Great writing, great application that I will use in my daily walk with the Lord, but better editing is needed here.

[Karina Cortes · Rating 2 out of 5]

best chapter is the last chapter

I read this book because I work in ministry and was feeling the burn out, I don’t know what I was expecting, but the book did not deliver. First off the chapters were too long. When writing a book about burn out, chapters should not be 30 pages (kindle). Secondly the format was weird. Each chapter has the format:
A) complain about this type or issue of ministry
B) discussion questions
C) biblical insight

I also disagreed with some things that she said. For example she talked about the importance of understanding the culture you are ministering in and then went on to explain her western interpretation of the Bible. When to really understand the Bible we have to read it from the worldview it was written with in mind.

I feel more burnout after reading this book.

[Kendra Kammer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for women in ministry. She rightly addresses the battles we face. She had great chapters on women in leadership in the church, on entitlement, beauty and cultural pressures, the armor of God...her chapter on fairness was one I think every person in church leadership should read.

I did feel like her chapters were a bit too long.

Nonetheless, I expect to return to this book every year or so.

[Jami Balmet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! A fantastic book for any woman serving in ministry or who wants to understand and support those serving in ministry. I highly recommend it. It's encouraging and very grounded in Scripture. I gave it a four star simply because it's a little dry and tough to read at times. But overall I highly recommend it!

[Christine Hoover · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has really good substance, which is not always the case with a "women in ministry" book. I was encouraged and challenged.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Content was good, and I would love to have a heart to heart with the author--she is someone I would like! Questions were really thought provoking and difficult to answer, I need to go back and challenge myself to tackle them all.

The editing, however... oh boy. A revision (rewrite?) would really improve this work. The editor did no service to the writer, leaving so many words and an awkward format. It's a shame because I hesitate to recommend it in its current rough shape.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite

I appreciate where she is going but there are some points where it really seems like she is scolding the reader. If you are in ministry and reading this book it very well might come across as rubbing salt in an already deep wound. I am not in a wounded place at the moment and it seemed harsh so o am taking it from a person who might be in a hard ministry place.

[Megan Beck Wisener · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly encourage this book for any Christian woman. Although it is written in the perspective of women in ministry, the Gospel truths and convictions prevented in this book are applicable to every lady wanting to grow in the truth of Christ. I finished this book with a new understanding of the armor of God, with new convictions of how I’ve been living, and with a new understanding of what it looks like to live out the Gospel daily.

[Amanda Beard · Rating 5 out of 5]

While reading this book, I felt like I was sitting across from a mentor over a cup of coffee. I appreciated the author’s gracious and vulnerable voice that was learned through years of ministry. She helped me simultaneously to realize the privilege of ministry but also not take myself too seriously. Her age and experience also helped me to see our current cultural moment in ministry with a bit of an external lens and to realize the timelessness and simplicity of the gospel

[Alaina Gadson · Rating 2 out of 5]

She hit the nail on the head about difficulty and things not going to plan is actually where we have the greatest opportunity to worship. Didn’t agree with what she said about Proverbs 31. Also this book is for women called to ministry she says but ministry needs to be the life of literally every Christian.

[Erin Livs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly suggest for any women in ministry or married to someone who is. A wonderful read!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had great encouragement for ladies in ministry. It reminded me to keep my relationship with HIM primary and not allow ministry to take the place of relationship.

[Lexi Zuo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first few chapters were really great And very Gospel centered. Sadly, I felt the later chapters started to tell too many stories about the weaknesses and shortcomings of other women.

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me talking and thinking after each chapter. Very encouraging. I would recommend this book to women in any level of ministry.

[Bethany Fader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really related to the first few chapters but then lost interest as the book went on.

[Rae Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! The first five chapters were my favorite!

[Hannah McCurdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

gosh this book had so much wisdom and was truly gospel centered, it was such a sweet reminder for me while i was at beach project in the midst of ministry:’) recommend to any women in ministry or serving at their church

[Mandy J. Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Overview

Running on Empty is anything but empty! It is the deep truth of theology applied directly to the lives of women in the ministry - whether they are wife to a pastor or a missionary. Many books written for this audience are rather light and deal with the surface issues, but not this one. I found myself both laughing out loud and crying as I read this book that was so very true to the life of a woman in the trenches of ministry.

The Readability

This is a longer book than most these days at twelve chapters and 210 pages. The over all theme is as the subtitle says - "The Gospel for Women in Ministry" - and each chapter applies the gospel to a struggle we women face while serving in ministry. While I loved the content, I did find that this book was harder for me to read as the flow was a bit rough and hard to follow at times. I found that each chapter felt like its own little book and reading with that in mind seemed to help me.

The Highlights

One of the highlights was the honesty with which Barbara shares about how we will suffer for Christ. So often this is brushed aside lightly and I think too many women (and their husbands) leave ministry because they were not adequately prepared for the hardships they would face. Too often in the USA we have a skewed view of suffering and Barbara does a great job of setting us straight.

The Downside

The only downside to me was that it was slightly challenging to read. Otherwise, there was no downside.

The Recommendation

I highly recommend this to all women serving in the ministry or thinking about doing so either as a pastors' wife or as a missionary. This one of the most comprehensive books I have scene on the heart issues we face.

(I received a courtesy copy of this book for review purposes from New Growth Press but the opinion stated is purely my own.)

[Lynette Karg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a timely, practical, biblical resource for women, especially those in ministry. She identifies many struggles common to women in ministry and examines them in light of Scripture, correcting, rebuking, teaching and training in righteousness. But this doesn't lead to despair because she faithfully points back to the gospel at every turn and that is the only hope for this weary soul.

[Kelly Schulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, the reader will look at the gospel from various angles – through the lens of the pastors wife, a missionary, and from the perspective of a campus worker or those who serve the church in lay ministry. You will look at the Gospel for your identity and the answer to the many sins that remain in you. You will see the magnetic effect it has on your life as it draws you into tighter fellowship with the Father, Son, and Spirit. Bancroft culminated her gospel conversation with clear instruction via Paul of Ephesians on how to remain faithful and not become a casualty of battle. This book holds great advice for all believers but much needed encouragement for those women who are in ministry. Whether you are tired and lonely, discouraged and about to give up, or those of you in ministry who are functioning well, will find exhortation and reminder in applying the blessed truths of the gospel at every point.
If you know a pastor's wife, a female missionary, or a woman serving consistently within your church's ministry, gift her with this book and attach a note of personal thankfulness...
Get A copy for yourself, read it and allow it to direct the way you pray for her.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I am not a pastor's wife, or even a paid profession in the religious community, I found much to be admired in this book. The honesty of Barbara Bancroft presents the real picture. She is never fake in her admitted weaknesses and faults. She tells it like it is in 12 chapters, each with a different theme. Her honesty is wonderful for any women who struggled with just daily following the Lord. Then she adds probing questions in the “What are your thoughts” and the Pause and Reset section tackles the Biblical answers which will give you hope and encouragement.

As many of the people who made comments on the book said, this should be required reading for each couple hoping to go into the joint husband and wife leadership for Christ. The women perceptive is refreshing and rings true. I don't think I ever gave it much thought, how hard it really is to be a pastor's wife. Barbara never complains and whines, just knits together the lessons she has learned with refreshing honesty and hope.

[Bethany · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was really substantial. Comprehensive. For women in ministry, especially, it unpacked truth with stories from the author's ample experience in several veins of ministry.

For me, it lagged. I really struggled to finish (I finally did...six months after starting!) I think with a title like Running on Empty, I hoped it would be simpler. True: it was filled with practical truths. ...All of them. Sometimes it felt like the author covered all the possible bases (not leaving anything unexplored for a second book). It dabbles in advice a little more than I would've liked.

If substantial & comprehensive is what you're looking for, this is your book. If you are new to the ministry, I think this is a good illuminator of potential minefields. If you're a veteran, I hope the Holy Spirit has already taught you many of these lessons...perhaps in fewer words.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dear friend, one of those friends who knows me well and loves me anyway, gave this book to me. What a treasured gift this book is. Barbara Bancroft is honest about the struggles of a ministry life, a serving life, and our inadequacy to ever really get it right. But Christ alone. But Christ alone. This book redirected my thinking (AGAIN) to the finished work of Jesus and our dependence on His grace to change this old heart. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

[Anna Josephine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like 80% of this book was "normal" easy fun reading and the other 20% sprinkled throughout was like really wise and challenging and convicting stuff (maybe it's 70-30). The point is, the challenging stuff was so undoing (in the best way) that's it's good to have the examples and stories etc so you can just recover. Recommend.

[Tara Gibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was full of practical wisdom on daily living through the power of grace in our lives. Barbara Bancroft has years of ministry, missions and leadership under her belt and her depth of wisdom is invaluable to those in ministry.