What is Pastor Burnout?
I was experiencing pastor burnout, and the end felt near.
I found myself emotionally, relationally, and spiritually exhausted. It felt like a place of no return. No, I am not talking about my adventures on an exotic game show or an expedition. Rather, I am talking about my journey in disciple-making.
I found myself staring down the barrel of pastoral burnout. The good news and the bad news is that I wasn’t alone. According to a Barna study conducted in 2023, 42% of full-time pastors have considered quitting ministry. Even more alarming, the Fuller Institute reported that only 1 out of 10 pastors will retire as a pastor.
So, how did I, and many others, find myself experiencing ministry burnout?
The answer is utterly simple. I, like the Ephesian Church in Revelation 2, had abandoned my first love. I found myself focusing the majority of my time and energy on “doing” the Lord’s work rather than “being” in the presence of the Lord. Producing fruit became more important than being connected to the vine.
My view of ministry and the church had become distorted. My prayers were mostly concerned with asking God to bless the work that I was doing. The result of that was the reality that my cup was never being filled.
So, what changed?
What To Do About Pastoral Burnout?
By God’s divine grace, I was invited to a spiritual retreat. Now, I want to be honest and admit that this was the last thing I wanted to attend.
A disciple making workshop, yes! But, a “prayer” retreat felt like a waste of time.
Begrudgingly, I went. And it changed the course of my life.
I wish I could tell you that the retreat was centered on some new and groundbreaking information so that I could feel better about myself. But, it wasn’t. It was centered around a timeless truth found in John 15.
Abiding – A simple but profound concept.
John 15:4-5 Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.”
I was trying hard to produce fruit without being connected to the vine. The results led to nothing. Well, that’s not entirely true. While the results did not lead to fruit, it did lead to frustration, exhaustion, and ultimately pastor burnout. This abiding principle led me to a profound conclusion.
How Disciple-Making Has Helped with My Pastor Burnout
I had been leading and ministering in the ways of Martha instead of Mary. I, too, was distracted by many things and my heart was crying out, “Lord, do you not care?” He did care, but it is in the Mary moments that he finds us. It is when we are sitting at his feet gazing upon his face that we feel His healing presence. The work of disciple-making is a gift that has been given to us by the King, but it is to be carried out alongside Him. It becomes a curse when we attempt to do it apart from Him.
Now, I want to encourage the burned out pastor reading this article. Find a quiet place where you can be alone with the Father. Enter a time of confession. Confess that you are troubled by many things. Make a vow that you will turn from being primarily focused on “doing” and are ready to enter a season of “being” with Him. Enjoy sitting at His feet and rest in His loving presence.
I am praying the Priestly blessing found in Numbers 6 over you:
“May the Lord bless you and protect you; may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace.” – Numbers 6:24-26
Allow the Father to fill your cup. It is from this place that we engage in disciple-making. Everything that the Father does in us he intends also to do through us. Pastoral burnout diminishes as we begin to make disciples from the overflow of our hearts. Remain in Him and you will produce much fruit!
