Burnout is common among ministry leaders. Self care is not something taught in Bible college.
A pastor works 24/7. He cannot refuse to minister to his congregation, nor can he refer people to another church when he feels over extended. Other professions often limit clients and refer folks to other providers, but not a pastor. Most emergencies require a pastor to be in attendance right away regardless of his office hours.
Folks in ministry cannot afford to get out-of-town on the weekend because their work involves their attendance at weekend services. Many have spouses who work in other fields and cannot take time off in the middle of the week. Plus, escaping the pressure usually involves finances that may be minimal on a pastor’s salary.
In her book, Mad Church Disease, Overcoming the Burnout Epidemic, Anne Jackson points out that burnout happens to Christians all over the world regardless of their age or position in leadership. In surveying over 900 people serving in churches, Anne found that “almost every person who completed the questionnaire said the stress form ministry had affected them either emotionally (most common were feelings of worthlessness, depression, anxiety, anger, or loneliness) or physically (most common problems were insomnia, headaches, stomach problems, heart issues, weight gain, or inflammation).”
When stress is not addressed in a healthy manner, it leads to burnout. Unattended, the buildup of stress in our lives can destroy us, our families, and our ministries. “I would rather burn out than rust out,” may have sounded wise to the preachers of the 20th century, but neither burning out or rusting out is a wise prescription for the 21st century.
A sabbatical can provide needed rest, reflection, and counseling. Most of all, a sabbatical allows a ministry leader to reconnect with the God who called him or her into ministry in the first place–the God who calls us to come to him and find rest.
We found the God of Rest during our sabbatical on a cruise ship, in coffee shops, in days that had no agenda, in the laughter of family and friends, and in the quiet hours discussing our thoughts with him alone.
Are you in some form of ministry? What are you doing to provide self care for yourself and for those who serve with you in ministry? How might a church consider a sabbatical as part of a self care package for those who serve among them?