Leadership: Leading on Empty
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Sun, February 08, 2009
- Viewed 72
- (23) comments so far
It literally has changed his ministry. In his new book, Leading on Empty, Wayne diagnoses a problem that is wide-spread among church leaders: burnout. He tells his story, and encourages pastors to learn from him and many leaders from the Bible who experienced burnout. Leaders like Elijah, and Moses, and David.
If you think you’re the only leader that wonders how he can continue at the same pace, you’re not. And if you think you can lead uninterrupted with vision and passion for year after year without a break, you’re wrong.
How’s your energy level? Do you need a break? Do you need to re-charge? Might I suggest one way to do so is to pick up Wayne’s book and learn from it. He will give you some great insight on how to lead well, and, best of all, how to FINISH well.
I’ll share more from Wayne in future weeks, right here!
Are you tired? You know... weary in well-doing? Do the ministries you helped create, now seem to bog you down? Do the things that once made you excited now make you exhausted?
If so... you're not alone.
Wayne Cordeiro writes in his new book "Leading on Empty":
"For over thirty years my drive for excellence propelled me. It wasn't that I was compulsive; I simply had a deep desire to do my best. I drove hard on all cylinders, not realizing that being an entrepreneur means that everything you initiate, by default you must add to your maintenance list...
...Slowly, the unwelcome symptoms began to surface. Ministry because more arduous. My daily tasks seemed unending, and e-mails began to stack up. People I deeply cared about became problems to be avoided, and deliberating about new vision no longer stirred my soul.
Although I never doubted my calling and gifting, what began as a joy that filled me now became a load that drained me. But I didn't know where I could trim. People were coming to Christ and lives were being changed. How could all this be wrong?
Decisions -- even small ones -- seemed to paralyze me. Gradually my creativity began to flag and I found it easier to imitate rather than innovate. I was backing away from the very things that used to challenge and invigorate me."
Wayne writes extensively about his moment of truth in ministry...
Comments
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Craig Durham on Mon, February 09, 2009
Hey,
Burnout is a very thing. I was working on a large church staff and the pressure was enormous to help people. We had to go so much and so long that the staff would skip church services because it was a better use of their time! After 3 1/2 of that I left and quit the ministry and wanted to never attend church again. God would not let me give up but it has been a long journey back… very slow almost 4 years now. I wish someone would of took us aside and talked about these real issues and helped us escape without all the damage.
God is merciful but to avoid these mistake would be a much better course.
Thanks for the blog Todd!
SSCoach on Mon, February 09, 2009
Craig, your comment, “I wish someone would of took us aside and talked about these real issues and helped us escape without all the damage.”…
...how do you see this happening with you and others you know as you think about the near future?
Craig Durham on Mon, February 09, 2009
As the Lord gives me opportunities I will invest time in people and build trust. When you get trust with someone you will have influence. Then I will share my story and encourage them to find another course. I know people that have retreats that will do for guys that are struggling.
I have a friend right now that is struggling and will wind up in a affair with a teen girl… he gives me no influence in his life. I comment about the relationship with the teen girl and he just throws off the idea. This burnout will probably cost him his family. What can I do in this situation?
Keeping praying that God protects him and gives me a open door to talk to the friend about this relationship.
Charley Blom on Mon, February 09, 2009
Craig,
there are people who are concerned about pastors and burnout, but often when they speak with pastors they are shut out.
often when i talk with pastors about caring for themselves, their eyes glaze over and they begin to back away.
it is hard to admit when we are in need of help.
that is why i am always excited when a pastoral personality writes a book about burnout becasue i beleve that some of the pastors will read it and listen just because of who has written it.
Craig Durham on Mon, February 09, 2009
I agree!
Scott Couchenour on Mon, February 09, 2009
Life balance and self care have to be seen important as any other leadership technique. Unfortunately, they are thought to be tools to be pulled out to try and somehow rescue or rehabilitate the failed pastor.
Integrating these into the fabric of the ministry is part of waht it means to be strong and effective.
Tim English on Tue, February 10, 2009
I had a similar experience in my life. I was running on empty, trying to be excellent at everything, and feeling like I was dying on the inside. That’s when I realized I was driven. Driven by fears of inadequacy, by perfectionism, by wanting people to like me. I found the book, Running on Empty by Fil Anderson extremely helpful. Hope that helps someone out there. Please slow down, spend time with Jesus, and realize you’re just not that important! Recognize it before you crash! Because unless you do, you will!
Pastor Tim English
Disk encryption software on Wed, March 11, 2009
Great article! This guide should be very helpful to a lot of people as they start their journey out of debt. This article is also applicable to a lot of other situations as well.
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