Toxic Church
How to recognize - and overcome-Burnout and Unhealthy Staff culture
When ministry is killing your soul—it's time to name what's toxic.Toxic Church is for those who love the Church but are exhausted by it. Listen to the audiobook, order the print copy, or get a free chapter below.
Ministry burnout is real—and it is not just your fault.
Toxic Church walks through three layers of ministry dysfunction: your toxic habits, your toxic environment, and your toxic leadership. Through honest stories, biblical reflection, and practical tools, I’ll help you recognize what’s draining your soul—and begin healing from the inside out.
✅ You feel emotionally exhausted even when ministry is “going well.”
✅ You’ve lost yourself in the name of “serving the mission.”
✅ You’re leading people but no one’s checking on you.
✅ You want to stay faithful—but something needs to change.
✅ You’ve thought, This can’t be what Jesus meant.
Who the book is for
“Janetta’s voice is an important one to include in the conversation.”
Toxic Church is a helpful reflection on something many of us have experienced, to lesser and greater degrees, that we may not have known how to put words to. Janetta writes with grace and clarity, knowing when it’s time to turn the microscope onto ourselves to ask what God might be doing in our lives through the difficulties, or how we might even be contributing to the problem. Written with the insight of someone who has walked humbly and prayerfully through a number of situations, Janetta’s voice is an important one to include in the conversation.
J.D. Greear, Ph.D.
Pastor, The Summit Church, Raleigh-Durham, NC
“…a blueprint for churches to identify toxicity…”
Toxic Church provides a blueprint for churches to identify toxicity and how to address it in a loving and biblical way to move towards health and healing. Janetta has done a phenomenal job of giving a comprehensive resource that addresses the issue while providing solutions and equipping leaders to create a healthy, thriving and sustainable cultures!
Jerome Gay Jr.
Pastor and Author of Church Hurt: Holding the Church Accountable and Helping Hurt People Heal
“…much-needed resource for anyone seeking healing…”
Navigating a toxic workplace can feel overwhelming and isolating, especially when that workplace is the church. In her book Toxic Church, Janetta Oni provides the guidance you need to identify the signs of personal and organizational dysfunction while equipping you to respond with practical, biblical solutions. Written with boldness, clarity, and hard-won wisdom, this book is a much-needed resource for anyone who is seeking healing and a way forward in an unhealthy ministry setting.
Elizabeth Woodson
Bible Teacher, Podcaster, and Author of Embrace Your Life, From Beginning To Forever, and Live Free.
