For those who work in ministry, you know it is hard sometimes to separate “work” and “ministry.” Far too often ministry can feel like work, and we soon feel like the work we have done counts for ministry. In some cases this can be true. There is a rare breed that can compartmentalize in such a way that they can actually get fulfillment out of the work aspect of ministry (emails, meetings, etc.). However, these things are usually the parts of working in the ministry that burden and burn out good hearted people.
Here’s some quick advice that I have learned (through experience and from others) over the years:
- Have designated times that are for getting your work work done. Meetings, emails, to-d0′s, etc. Don’t compromise with these. These things have a way of getting out of control and not caring about your time.
- Find a ministry outside of your responsibility that you can give some quality time to. Not being responsible for it takes your mind off of how things should be run and puts in on the tasks people in front of you.
- The higher up you are, the lower you should try to go. Meaning a senior pastor shouldn’t go “serve” in another ministry area as the leader. This is tough because we aren’t wired that way. But this really needs to be the “washing of the feet” for you. Try to serve and not to lead. This is a GREAT way to support and encourage your staff. I remember when one of our sr. pastors came to help us open our community center. He just talked to people, served them food, etc. He didn’t try to lead anything. It was a great morale boost for me.
- Do it regularly. Maybe try something every week if you can, if not once a month. But definitely do it more than once a year.
- Do something outside of your own church setting. Again, this is a way to ‘unplug’ from a work environment.
Those are just some quick points, you might have others (please share!). The point is not to get burnt out doing what you were called to do. “Do not grow weary in well doing” as the Apostle Paul said.
There are some good books you can read on the subject. Just type them into that ChristianBooks.com search engine to the right and you can get them for cheap.
“The Annointing” – R.T. Kendall, this book was a literal breath of fresh air for me and a treasured gift from Pastor Tim Dilena.
“Ordering Your Private World” – Gordon MacDonald. This book has helped me organize my life year after year. I reference or reread it often.
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