Avoiding Burnout

By Timothy C. Gunnells

Burnout is a common problem for leaders in almost any profession and almost any type of organization, but I know first-hand that burnout is a common problem for spiritual leaders, especially those in full-time ministry. Most people go into ministry because of a sincere and passionate desire to lead people closer to the Lord. They want to be an active part of carrying out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). However, all too often the burdens of working with people, tending to needs, and laboring in ways that most people cannot understand lead to burnout. In her book, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, Ruth Haley Barton uses Moses’ life as a case-study for today’s leader.

Barton recalls how overworked and burned-out Moses had gotten when Jethro, his father-in-law, returned with Moses' wife and sons:

“Now when Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, "What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge and all the people stand about you from morning until evening?" Moses said to his father-in-law, "Because the people come to me to inquire of God. When they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor and make known the statutes of God and His laws." Moses' father-in-law said to him, "The thing that you are doing is not good. You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. Now listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You be the people's representative before God, and you bring the disputes to God, then teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do. Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. Let them judge the people at all times; and let it be that every major dispute they will bring to you, but every minor dispute they themselves will judge. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace." So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he had said.” (Exodus 18:14-24)

Jethro saw the signs of burnout and offered a solution to Moses and Moses listened to him. Barton lists the signs of a spiritual leader who is “dangerously depleted” and running on fumes:

1. Irritability or hypersensitivity – Things that normally don’t bother us send us over the edge.
2. Restlessness – Uneasiness during the day and the inability to rest or sleep at night.
3. Compulsive overworking – There are no boundaries between work and other parts of our life.
4. Emotional numbness – We aren’t in touch with our emotions, things don’t seem to affect us.
5. Escapist Behaviors – Compulsive eating, drinking, substance abuse, or even surfing the internet.
6. Disconnected from our identity and calling – We find ourselves going through the motions. Where once we were passionate, now we are tired.
7. Not able to attend to human needs – We don’t exercise, eat right, or sleep enough.
8. Hoarding energy – We become overly self-protective or even reclusive, to avoid people.
9. Slippage in our spiritual practices – We don’t have the energy for solitude, silence, or prayer. This leaves us with nothing to offer anyone else.

If even a few of these conditions describe you, then chances are you are like Moses and “what you are doing is not good”. Just like Moses, we should delegate responsibilities to other spiritually mature people who can, in turn, minister to the people that we don’t have the time or energy to help. If we don’t learn to delegate, decompress, and spend adequate personal time with God, then burnout is coming. Make changes now and chart a new course for a healthier life. If I can help, let me know.

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[1] Ruth Haley Barton, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry, IVP Books, 2008.