What to do if You are Experiencing Burnout in Ministry [EP:080]

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What do you do if you are burned out in ministry? What happens if ministry has wounded you, or if you’re running on empty, or if you are flat-out spent! What happens now? Do you quit? Do you just suck it up buttercup? What’s next? What are your options?</span></p> <p>This episode was inspired by a woman in full-time ministry who asked, "How do you find time to rest and heal while still showing up and getting things done?"</p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The answer really is dependent on whether you are getting close to the edge of the cliff or you’ve already fallen off.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Falling off the Cliff</strong></p> <p>When you are in free-fall drastic measures need to be taken. It is a very serious situation. Some people need to take an extended leave of absence.  Get counseling, get help from a spiritual director, or pastoral care.</p> <p>Try to take 2-3 weeks off. No emails, no texts, no phone calls, no social media...you are completely stopping any and all responsibilities. (Maybe you need to talk with the church and let them know you are treading on thin ice. I know it’s scary. But remember, you’re human.) And you are being WISE and using good judgment by taking action! Plus a lot of our fear is around what people will think, or that they won’t agree, but what I am hearing is that many places are willing to make this happen.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>On the Edge</strong></p> <p>Establish regular days off...weekly, plus vacation. Stop the same day each week, or take a look at what’s ahead each quarter and make sure days are set aside. There is no right or wrong formula to follow. You have to stop in order to be able to continue to do what you love for the long haul. It’s hard. It cuts to the core of whether or not we trust God to care for people and situations in our absence. But it is necessary to have days when you know you are not responsible and it helps reinforce the truth that God is really the one in control.</p> <p>Let go of a few things.</p>