Two Thoughts about Preventing Burnout
I’m not an expert, so to try and give pastors an easy answer to this problem isn’t something I’m comfortable doing. But there are two things that need to be said.
First, please make sure your volunteers know you love them beyond the tasks they perform for your church.
Most church volunteers secretly believe their value to church leaders lies in their performance. Please help us put that false belief to rest. Or, if it’s true of you, please have a come-to-Jesus meeting.
Second, please help us find and discover the most well-suited ministry positions for us, not for you.
I know church leaders have “holes” in their ministries, but I don’t want to fill a “hole.” I want to impact the world. Please don’t use me to make your job easier, and call that “equipping.” Help me discover what I’m uniquely gifted to perform, then provide me with an opportunity to perform that thing.
I promise you—if you help me discover where I fit, and if you love me well, I won’t burn out.
As I’ve said before, there is no blame here. It’s more my fault than anyone’s. I’ve worked through these issues of burnout, and I’m once-again actively involved in the life of a local church. I’m now stronger than ever, and God has taken something the Enemy meant for harm, and has turned it into good.
Thanks for reading my story.
