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GUEST POST: Burnout Culture
Two days ago the Assistant Director of Children’s Ministry at our church announced her resignation at our monthly all-staff meeting. Her simple explanation to the staff: “I’m burned out.” This brought immediate understanding to the ministry personnel sitting around the table. It wasn’t a sin issue or a leadership conflict; it was another burn out.
As I’ve experience the ups and downs of ministry for the past 5 years, I’ve hit points where I ask the question, “Am I getting burned out?” The mind flashes to the statistic pounded into us at Bible College: the average youth pastor lasts 18 months before getting burned out. I’ve heard about and witnessed the burnout of so many ministry friends and colleagues in my years as a church-going Christian, why would anyone get into a profession so fraught with the fear of burnout?
Then a thought struck me today. It’s not a fully developed thought, and at this point it is more of a question: Have we created a culture in which ministry professionals expect to burn out? Do we talk about it so much that when things get tough and difficult we automatically think we have reached an irredeemable point of tiredness? Have we given ourselves a two-word explanation that keeps people from asking any more questions?
There will be obvious times when we get stuck in a rut, and there will be times when lose sight of our vision, and there will be whole seasons in which our ministry life seems to take away any chance of a healthy spiritual life. But I don’t know that we can call that burned out. Maybe “routine” or “tired” or “too busy.” Maybe.
Do we need to find a place in which we are fulfilled, using the gifts God has given each of us in full dependence upon him, and making an impact because of that? Please, yes! Will there be down times even when we find such an oftentimes-elusive ministry position? Of course.
Maybe I’m just burned out and don’t want to admit it. Either way, let us think twice before we use such a poignant phrase. As we disciple the next generation of youth workers, let us create a culture of success instead of fear. Let us be honest about our struggles before we are beyond help. And let God take the glory as we press ever forward building His Kingdom.
Andrew Rothacker is the youth pastor of LEFC Student Ministry and Twitters right here. I follow him, do you?
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Here are just a few thoughts:
1. I wonder if this “burn out” is simply a realization that they entered the ministry without a call. There are times when I struggle with what is going on and feel in a rut. However, I always rest in the fact that God called me to do this. I am not in ministry because I thought it would be a fun gig or because I thought I would give it a shot. There are several different things I wanted to do as a profession but I could not get away from God’s call. I guess it boils down to “If you can do something else besides ministry then do it.” If you can’t do anything else then I think you have a pretty good idea that you are right where God wants you to be.
2. The other problem I see in student ministry is the tendency to be a workaholic. I fight this tooth and nail. I mean I could spend all my time meeting with students, going to ball games or concerts, having them over to our house. I do these things but I also know that I need time away from them. Time with my family, time with other adults, and time with other student pastors. I need to have a life outside of student ministry!
Just my humble opinion!