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Dealing with Burnout in Ministry

Orginally published on Monday, July 11, 2005 at 8:33 AM
by Todd Rhoades

Ever get burned out? I mean, really, really tired? The everyday stress of balancing ministry life and family life can be overwhelming at times, and if you feel burned out (especially on a Monday morning like today), you’re not alone. D. Keith Robinson writes some helpful ideas for all of us who find ourselves in a state of burnout…

Every now and again we all hit a wall. For me it happens fairly regularly and I?m usually able to recover fairly quickly. But it?s not always been like that. I?ve had to train myself to recover from burnout. Unfortunately it?s a largely intuitive process and even recognizing burnout can be tricky.

I?m a fairly creative person and I go through regular creative highs and lows. It can be difficult for me to tell the difference between a down day, or creative low, and something a bit more than that. Sometimes it?s easier when it hits like a ton of bricks.

Either way, burnout, creative or otherwise, is a common problem, especially for those who work hard and function at a high level. You simply can?t keep working without resting. Burnout happens for a reason. It?s your mind and body telling you to take a break and as a first step towards getting back on track, that is exactly what I think you should do if your dealing with burnout.

Tips To Help You (and Me) Recover From Burnout

Learn to recognize burnout. I?m actually going through burnout right now. You can see it if you look hard at the quality of my writing the last few days. That?s one good way to tell if you?re nearing the end of your rope?your usual quality of work will suffer a bit. Sometimes it?s hard to tell, because if you can gain momentary focus (like I feel I?ve got right now) you can power through it. Regardless of if you can cope, it?s important to acknowledge it and take appropriate steps.

Take some time off. I feel the best way to recover from burnout is to take as much time off as possible. Sure there are times when you?ll not be able to take an extended vacation (although I can safely say those are needed from time to time) but you should at least give yourself a few days away from anything work related. Relax a bit! You?ll usually know when it?s time to get back to it. For me ideas start coming and I feel a need to do something.

Get some sleep. Often when I?m feeling burnt-out all I?ll need is a few really good nights sleep to get my energy and creative juices flowing again.

Play. Exercise and laughter are great ways to deal with stress and they?ll help get your mind back to a place where it can be productive and creative again.

Eat. Food, especially really good food, the kind that makes you feel guilty, can help put your mind in a good place. Just don?t over do it!

Work on something new or different. If you have to work, try getting away from what you?ve been working on recently. Try working on a pet project or something new. Sometimes just breaking your routine will get you out of a burnout induced rut.

Work on something you love. Take a break from ?not fun? work, to work on ?fun? work.

Of course, couple that with a good dose of intense prayer and study of scripture, and you should be back on track in no-time.

How do you deal with burn-out? What are the first signs you recognize when you have it? It will make for an interesting discussion today!

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TRACKBACKS: (0) There are 3 Comments:

Posted by

Monday, July 11, 2005 at 1:16 PM

I totally agree with your list of burnout remedies! I think for each person, the answer is different, but the general combination of rest and enjoyable activity is the key. I have to be honest, though, in saying that when I’m really feeling burned out from ministry, and I take a good look at the past week, I can usually place a good portion of blame on my inconsistency in my quiet, focused time with the Lord. A couple days of long, focused prayer, lots of relaxation, and some play time (for me, it’s the fitness center, mall, pool or beach; for my husband, the golf course, fishing, or watching NASCAR). Thanks for reminding us that we’re not alone in the challenges of ministry! God bless!
Posted by

Monday, July 11, 2005 at 2:53 PM

This is a great topic. Not only for pastors but for anyone who has a high level of responsibility. From parents, business owners and managers/supervisors.

I notice burnout in few different ways. One is when I get a little edgy or irritable. Even parts of my message may not come across as graceful as they ordinarily would were I not experiencing the big B (burnout).

I also can tell when I’m getting or have gotten burntout when small things are magnified in my mind and I don’t think about dealing with them in the best way.

Finally, (for now anyway) I can tell when I’m experiencing a high level of the big “B” when I flatout feel like giving up and quitting! No doubt many pastors, parents and business have walked out on their callings, responsibilities and livelihoods because of unrecognized and unattended burnout.

I also am experiencing burnout at this very moment and I know I need to get away in order to regroup. We’re a small church trying to move into a newly leased facility and we’re going throught the process with the city and finding people to do all that we need done. Not to mention the financial aspect of the project. Because we are currently a small church, I don’t have the help that would relieve me of some of the responsibilities of the process. Although I need a nice, long vacation, of which I haven’t had in a number of years, I’m trusting God that a mere few days will help me.

Thanks for allowing me to vent. I feel a little bit better already. I think.

May God bless, relieve and replenish all who deal with the big “B”.

Kirkland Bailey
Posted by

Monday, July 18, 2005 at 11:50 AM

God is the source of all things. I understand getting down, but I don’t understand burnout. The focus of this article seemed to be mainly on earthly things: sleep, play, eat and a little bit on the Lord. I think we constantly need to be plugged into God (OUR SOURCE) for every creative idea and every notion. If you are experiencing burnout, I think what you need to do is get alone with the Lord - ALONE - where you can fall in love with Him and His vision for the world again. Where you can get filled with his Presence and Power.

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Hi... I'm Todd Rhoades. I'm a Christ-follower, husband, father and I love to connect leaders with other leaders. Hopefully you'll find something here at MMI you like and will return often. If you want, you can find out more about me or follow my every step on Twitter.