Burnout Therapy

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I’ve talked to many pastors who’ve experienced burnout. I’ve also talked with many people who have burned out on church.

I’ve also noticed that most people who experience burnout were never invited to rest. They were never offered to take some time off. They were never even asked if they needed a break.

After I left the professional ministry in April I’ve had some people say something like this to me: “I had felt for a while that you were burned out!” I never responded with, “Well you were the ones who paid me. Why didn’t you do something about it?”

Because this is the nature of institutions. They are loveless. Individuals can be loving and caring, but institutions frequently won’t and simply can’t. The principalities and powers often hold sway over institutional life.

If you are a religious leader, like a pastor, and you feel you might be burning out, it is up to you to do something about it. If you are a member burning out from church, then it is up to you to do something about it. The church is not going to invite you to take a break or a sabbatical or sign the divorce papers that you serve it. Ever.

Looking back… ya… perhaps I burned out. But I quit. And I’m glad I did. There are other reasons I quit: like the preservation of the church I pastored. It happily moves on. But I quit. And I’m happier and healthier in so many ways.

You just need to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em, know when to walk away, know when to run.

You may need to seek your own therapy.

It’s up to you.