I just finished Leading on Empty a few weeks ago and I have to say that I loved it. I picked it up because the title really resonated with me. While I’m not currently in a season of life and ministry where I feel particularly empty I’ve been there before and picked up this book as a preventative measure.
Most of the focus seems to be on lead pastors but I think there’s a lot of great nuggets for the rest of us on staff at a church. I didn’t agree with everything that Wayne brought up but a lot of it made sense and I’m going to put a great deal of it into practice in the coming weeks and months.
Here are a few highlights from the book:
The only way to finish strong will be to first replenish your system. If you don’t, prepare for a crash.
But one of the true marks of a veteran is not how he catches a wave, but whether he knows when and how to get off the wave.
“When you’re finished changing, you’re finished.” – BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
To finish strong, you must learn to rejuvenate your spirit early in your ministry.
Wisdom and understanding are not built in a day; however they are built daily.
Problems don’t destroy you. Unresolved problems do.
“Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it.” – BILL COSBY
Solitude is a chosen separation for refining your soul. Isolation is what you crave when you neglect the first.
Sometimes we get so busy rowing the boat, we don’t take the time to stop and see where we’re going … or what we are becoming.
Faith is living in advance what we will only understand in reverse.
People’s needs are great, and their expectations are endless. If you don’t say “when,” they will drain you.
You cannot base your life and ministry on the expectations of others. It will drain you faster than water through a colander.
If you’ve read Leading on Empty what did you like or dislike about it?
–Jeff
PS: I was NOT supplied with a copy of this book or asked/paid by anyone to give a review of it. I saw it, I liked it, and wanted to pass it on to you. Hope it’s helpful.
Jeff McClung 
I read this book last Summer, while struggling to keep up with my emptiness. One of my biggest takeaways, was about keeping our physical being healthy and vibrant.
I had healthy things in my spiritual life, and in my relationships. I had no problems saying no to people. My problem was I didn’t sleep enough, never truly rested, didn’t find enough time to do the things that I really enjoyed (that may not have intrinsic value), and didn’t exercise.
When I put these things into practice it was like the sun started rising…