Erwin McManus & Dave Gibbons on Burnout

June 27, 2009

There’s an interesting conversation posted over here between Erwin McManus and Dave Gibbons. In it, they share the following on pastoral burnout:
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How to avoid burnout?

  • Erwin: Not the bible that helps someone live a moral life (it’s when people are truly connected to Jesus)
  • There are lots of lost people that live honorable lives
  • It’s about escape (that’s why someone kills their wife instead of divorcing); pastors want to get out so they self-destruct
  • Burnout is about doing something you don’t love way too much
  • When you do something you love, you become “addicted” (like athletes who get addicted to pain and practice)
  • Listen to your soul (it’s ok to change; take ownership); I once was this person but now I’m not; we don’t give each other an out
  • Don’t do things b/c you like the outcome idea, but b/c the process is rewarding
  • Primary movement of life is from illusion to reality (figure out a way to penetrate the illusions, and then you found something that’s a treasure; then it’ll help you live a fruitful life)
  • Create space for people and activity that energizes you (ministry isn’t supposed to just be “our cross that we must bear” but what are you doing that energizes you in realm of God’s will)
  • 1. Find out who and what energizes you
  • 2. Be intentional about having people speak into your life (what can I change about myself? What do you see in me?)
  • 3. What did you hear God say?

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Thoughts? Agree? Disagree? What would you add?

Posted by Paul | Filed Under Brokenness, Burnout, Church life, Emotional health, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, Failure, Leadership, Life, Margin, Pace of life, Pastor, Personal Pace, Things that drain life, Things that give life 

Comments

5 Responses to “Erwin McManus & Dave Gibbons on Burnout”

  1. Bernie on June 27th, 2009 4:05 pm

    This got me: “Burnout is about doing something you don’t love way too much me.” This is causing me to think about all the things I do in ministry that wear me out. I first wrote that I disagreed with this statment but before submitting – I re-wrote. I agree that in ministry that I love – I do way too many things I don’t love, the minutia, daily things, running building projects for over 3 years consecutive (I love it, but not this long – wearing). Elements of anything you love can burn you out.

  2. Bernie on June 27th, 2009 4:07 pm

    Another thing:Find out who and what energizes you! Wayne Cordeiro has been saying that for years. Paul Kuzma says: Take a nap – maybe I will nap, then figure out what energizes me. This is a good post retweet.

  3. David Ballantyne on June 27th, 2009 11:29 pm

    I tend to agree with what Erwin is saying. If you are “de-charging” continuously in ministry you are unbalanced for all the right reasons. Eventually you will implode in all your ministry pursuits. Renewal on a personal level happens when ministry is a lifestyle you love, even when there are difficult things that must be done that you may not enjoy.

  4. Bernie on July 1st, 2009 8:59 pm

    I think David is sharp.

  5. David on October 22nd, 2009 10:48 am

    Always get time for yourself and the Lord to relax.
    Don’t get into a trap of being a workaholic.
    Remember Matha and Mary.Martha was disturbed with so much to do that she forgot to take her place at the Master’s feet.
    Even our Lord Jesus many times withdrew Himself from the crowds,from the needs of the people to be alone with His Father.

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