How to avoid and prevent burnout in ministry

Ministry is hard, and burnout is all too common. What are some common causes for stress and burnout, and what are some things you can do to avoid fatigue, exhaustion and feeling overwhelmed?
This video covers:
1. Avoiding unrealistic expectations about working in a church environment
2. Why Monday can be the hardest day for a pastor
3. Four things you can do to help avoid burnout in ministry
This is the podcast mentioned in the video and a really good discussion with William Vanderbloemen. It’s called "How To Know When It’s Time To Quit."
careynieuwhof.c...
This blog post is one of the most requested resources on the Vanderbloemen website called "Beating The Day After Blues."
www.vanderbloe...
Also, here’s a link to the book recommended in this video. It’s called “Leading On Empty” by Wayne Cordeiro
Physical version on Amazon
amzn.to/2oingt7
iBooks version on the iTunes Store
geo.itunes.app...
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!
----------------------------------------------------------
Blog: www.practicalwo...
Facebook: / davedolphinok
Twitter: / davedolphinok
Instagram: / davedolphinok
SoundCloud: / davedolphinok

[@purplerain9629]

I'm watching this after being off finally from church due to Covid-19 and sadly I do not want to go back. I have loved being free and have enjoyed not having to physically go to church. I have been a "worship leader" at my church for 10 plus years. I do not have that safe, encouraging community with those who I serve with at my church. I feel stuck there in order to please those in senior leadership but I am very unhappy there. It could just be me. I am seeking a deeper relationship with the holy spirit. I feel that is all that could possibly help me.

[@practicalworship]

Brandy, I'm SO sorry you feel this way. It sounds like this pandemic has provided a blessing in disguise for you-a chance to take a break from your Sunday morning responsibilities. And it gives you the chance to pray through it all, to see if you just need a break or if you need to change course permanently. I'll be praying for you.

[@purplerain9629]

@@practicalworship Thank you so much for your kind response. I appericate your prayers.

[@Muzikmanflames]

I can't say thank you enough for these Videos!!! They have really blessed me.

[@amandahatfield3313]

Where is the link?

[@LiveSound101]

Great video Dave! Love what you're doing with the KZbin channel. I've been volunteering for many years now. I can relate. I think establishing boundaries and expectations and being able to clearly communicate them to others is fundamental. I think my hobby external to ministry has become vlogging about church tech and live sound :-)

[@sdgml3878]

I don't know if I am the only one who feels like this...I feel like any time that I read my Bible (including quiet time) I am working. Prayer and Bible reading are work and it is discouraging me from doing a quiet time. I feel like a break is a break from all things "Churchy." Any advice for this?

[@practicalworship]

Gloria Larsen That’s a tough one, though I don’t think you’re the only one. Far from it, I bet. I’m certainly not an expert in this area, but for what it’s worth... maybe you could try changing up how you do a quiet time. If you study and prepare a message in your office at the church, do your personal quiet time in the park. Mix it up. If you’re studying something in the NT, do your personal devo in the OT. Maybe use a totally different and fresh translation for your personal time. I can totally understand the desire of being burnt out and wanting to take a break from a quiet time. My only concern would be your “break” turning into a habit. Without being legalistic, we all need to be in the Word and praying consistently to grow in our relationship with God. I know you know that. Gloria, I appreciate you be real and vulnerable here in the comments. We will definitely be praying that God refreshes you and renews your passion for His Word.

[@shellyblanchard5788]

I have had the same problem. I didn't have a vacation in a while and I was going to go nuts. The changing of fast time to slow wears me out , so moved away from the church i was going to have vacation. I won't stay away permanently, I am taking a break. One thing we have had some deaths in the family and it hard to deal with. I am praying it will soon pass.

[@kingdomdrummer4962]

Maybe just relaxing in Gods presence? Practicing breathing techniques as well with meditating on how Good God is or if you haven’t taken a vacation in a while you should

[@vgrannyvl2]

if they're doing all that then maybe they should have seats cause whatever God gives you to do, He empowers you and gives you the proper temperament...

[@terryp12345]

I am not on staff at a church, but I have seen too many staff work themselves into a place where they are always needed. Then the only way to get rest is to leave. So as a layperson, find a staff member and proactively work on giving them rest. Learn their "stuff" and find a way to give them a week off. Communicate with the staff member that it is important that they get a week off occasionally. I feel like most senior pastors get this. Especially if they have been at it for a while. But people new to a position will just go, go, go until they all of a sudden feel trapped by their time commitments. They have no one to talk to about it and eventually just make a clean break (or a messy break) from the church. They often leave in bitterness toward people, but usually deep down it is bitterness at what they saw as an impossible situation. My family has made it a priority to encourage staff before they get burned out. We try to learn skills and "substitute" where possible for them, or just try to say something nice, invite them over to hang out, etc.

[@practicalworship]

I ❤️ this!

[@robertgabuna355]

thank you...