...About Pastoral Burnout

After conducting some research online last night, I found the following web locations dealing with the topic of pastor burnout. Some are new. Some have been around a while. Check 'em out:

Pastor Burnout - The Silent Ministry Killer

No Rest For the Holy: Clergy Burnout a Growing Concern

Four Questions Spiritual Leaders Should Ask To Avoid Ministry Flameout

Reframing Pastor Burnout And Pastors Leaving Ministry

Pastors Often Succumb to Job Burnout Due to Stress, Low Pay

Protecting Your Pastor

Pick one or two. As you read them, please return and share your comments. I firmly believe that as pastors enter into the discussion, together they can help each other out. It's my desire to provide a safe place in which to do this. Come on, let's eliminate burnout from the pastoral equation!

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Comments

[Bill (cycleguy)]

Scott: first forgive me for not looking up the links. I only have to say one thing and you will understand why: "been there done that." I was an accident waiting to happen as they say. Going, going, going, thinking that is the key to success. Living a life filled with arrogance and pride. Unwilling to listen. Being asked to leave a church after 14 mnths because I was not what/who the Senior Pastor wanted from the start. Spending out of control. Hidden sin. All the classic symptoms were there and I never saw them. then I went to a small, legalistic church that mirrored my own spirit at the time and I hated what I saw. In horror I withdrew and lost my heart for ministry but because I had a family, a reputation and knew nothing else, I continued trying to pastor. I was a wreck. God finally brought restoration. Second: I thought Wayne Cordeiro's book Running On Empty was excellent.

[Jim F.]

Excellent list of resources. As a Pastor - they are need - I too like Bill have been on the ragged edge and struggled. Thanks!

[Scott Couchenour]

Bill - I want to thank you for your honesty and vulnerability. Your story is refreshing to read. In all the "stuff", God remains faithful and you are a living example of that truth.

And yes, I HIGHLY recommend Wayne's book, Running On Empty.

[Scott Couchenour]

Thanks, Jim. I appreciate you stopping by. I trust your struggle has led you to a place of serving strong today.

[jasonS]

Thank you Scott for talking about this subject and providing such great resources. I've never experienced a burnout in ministry although I see the signs. We did a chapter-by-chapter look on my blog at Anne Jackson's book, Mad Church Disease. It's a great resource as well in recognizing what this problem looks like and addressing the issues involved. Thank you again!

[Scott Couchenour]

Jason - regarding the Mad Church Disease blog series... what is the web address to those posts? I'd LOVE to add it to the conversation.

[DavidHiggKC]

Scott, Thanks for posting these articles related to Pastoral Burnout. There is some good insite and helpful information there. As a member of the Been There & Done That club I can relate to a lot of what was written.

Having spent the last 15 years reflecting on my 20 years of ministry experience I've come to several conclusion:

1. There is a systemic problem within the American Church related to leadership development and pastoral training. This training is primarily accademic in nature when the job is not.

2. The current general paradigm of the American Church has been developed over hundreds of years and more closely resembles an American business than anything the New Testament believer would recognize as Church. Neither would the New Testament believer recognize modern day pastors as the shepherds of the sheep they knew.

3. Many well meaning men and women wear themselves out and eventually hit the burnout wall doing things that have no biblical basis what so ever. Many of todays ministry demand are culturally defined and are often related to Consumeristis Values and a competative striving for bigger and better.

The amazing thing is I still love the Church...and am still involved in ministering in one today...though not for a check. I see the Body of Christ apart from the institution and am committed to being the pastor God called me to be by touching the lives of the people I can. I will do that till I go to be with Jesus.

Keep doing the job you are doing!

Godspeed...

[Scott Couchenour]

David, thanks for stopping by and contributing. You've provided a lot to think about. Expectations of the congregation are a big part of the equation, to be sure. I'm glad you are still serving. With your experience, I believe you can have a much bigger impact because you understand and still care.

[Tim Cole]

I just wanted to add my agreement to what David says. I am from the UK - but work with churches in a several different countries - and see the same things in a lot of places.

[Scott Couchenour]

Thanks, Tim. I believe the key to what could be called a "systematic problem" is to systematically get both pastors and people to start weaving new burnout-prevention habits into the fabric of the ministry landscpe. This is not a one-time fix all solution, but rather an ongoing increasing effort.

Let's pray that burnout is removed from the ministry world.