Avoiding Burnout

As 2010 comes upon us, one change at Emmanuel is glaring: more intentional ministry! More ministry means more people, more time, more commitments, more resources, more energy. As Emmanuel changes how ministry is dreamed, planned, implemented and evaluated, it will be necessary for some of you to adjust to the changes. I'm specifically speaking to those of you who are use to being active in more than one ministry. Some of you have historically been involved in nearly everything. I'm going to be bold here. Ready? Those days are over.

Burnout is a huge issue in churches that live out God's Call. This is because such churches are super busy and branch out in multiple ways. The danger in this is what we call 'burnout'. Burnout is when you expend so much energy and time for such a long time in multiple ways that you simply run out of steam. A person who experiences burnout throws up their hands and suddenly says, 'I can't do this anymore'. Burned out people become tired, frustrated, cranky and irritated. The church doesn't need those kinds of people. The world has enough of them already.

As your pastor, I have some degree of responsibility to seeing to your spiritual health, especially as it relates to the church. You need to have a balance of being fed and feeding others just as I do. I will be encouraging you to consider the following guidelines to help you meet this balance:

1. Attending worship is necessary as it gives one a sense of community, purpose and inspiration.

2. Clearly Churches have found over the generations that a good, nurturing Small Group does wonders for ministry (just ask John Wesley). It fills your gas tank up and keeps you motivated, supported and encouraged.

3. If you are one more than one of the following ministry teams, then please pick one for 2010. These teams will be the busiest and being on more than one of these teams will test your endurance:

Faith Forming Relationships
Radical Hospitality
Risk-Taking Outreach
Passionate Worship
Trustees
Missions

4. If you are on one of the above teams, you may serve on one of the following teams, but not more than one. If you are not on one of the above teams, you may be able to serve on any 2 of the following:

Staff-Parish Relations
Finance
Compassionate Care
Multi-Media
Lay Ministries (nominations)

5. Emmanuel has a VERY active UMW. If you are heavily involved with UMW, please be aware that any team you are serving on is going to also need your time. Commit accordingly.

6. While some serve on teams, I realize that many of you do not. However, many of you have been willing to help out with the programs associated with the teams. Those who are not on teams can burnout as well if they are helping out with everything under the sun. Find out what God has called you to and go for it. And, no, God hasn't called you to be everything for everybody.

7. While pastors and churches appreciate your willingness to serve, we would prefer to have you as a servant on a long-term basis. Please keep tabs on your spiritual health. We are running a marathon, not a sprint.

I feel that I must add a footnote here. Servanthood is a natural response to God's grace. One serves because they are inspired by God who reaches out to them, embraces them, inspires them and teaches them. Finding a way to serve in the church is a great way to give back to God. If you are not serving in some area, you are encouraged to find a way. Everyone can be a part of expanding God's Kingdom one person at a time.