4 leadership principles to avoid burnout

Jonathan Hayashi Oct. 8, 2023

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Another friend, another brother in Christ, another pastor stepped out of ministry just this week.

My heart grieves as I understand how the pastorate is one of the loneliest professions. There's guilt, shame, and regret in leaving the flock that they were entrusted with.

Pastors today have a lot on their plates and the stresses of leadership, burnout, and moral failures are all too real. Research has shown these alarming numbers:

• 28 percent of ministers report being "forcefully terminated."
• 33 percent say being in ministry is "an outright hazard" to their families.
• 75 percent experienced "severe stress causing anguish, worry, bewilderment, anger, depression, fear and alienation" during their careers.
• Ministers join doctors and attorneys among those with the highest rates of addiction and suicide.

I have heard comments over and over again and again, like:

• "I just can't do this any longer. Something has to change."
• "Does it even matter what or how I'm doing this work? It only seems like an upward battle."
• "I wish I could just retire tomorrow and find rest and peace. I'm just tired."

As a result, families try to escape the stressful environment by going on vacation or by trying to avoid people.

However, very seldom do we amid stressful relationships and daunting demands get to escape to the peaceful mountains or tranquil sea on vacation time. Even on vacation with family, pastors still live in the middle of the noise, rushing activity, turbulence and chaos, with things crashing down all around them.

So, what should pastors do? Continue till the system breaks down? Continue to the point of retirement or resignation where they are physically and emotionally exhausted and feel numbed?

Here are four leadership principles I have learned to practice to avoid pastoral burnout.

1. Divert daily

Spend 15 to 20 minutes each morning planning out the upcoming day.

This does not mean you negate or replace your quiet personal time with the Lord!

Most pastors have gone to Bible college and seminary and know the importance of spending regular quiet time in His Word and prayer each day. The problem is when burnout hits, church leaders often neglect first the spiritual disciplines and move on to another task.

Martin Luther said it well, "I have so much to do today I shall spend the first three hours in prayer."

Has your daily quiet time become a duty you do begrudgingly? Or do you find delight in seeking the face of your Savior by lavishing in and soaking up His Word?

Pray first before you divert daily, "Lord, I pray you to grant me a heart that seeks you above all else" (Ps 20:4).

2. Withdraw on the weekend

Spend 2 to 4 hours each weekend planning the weeks ahead.

As you also withdraw from your work environment, remember to have some hobbies you enjoy doing. Whether that will be going on hiking, weightlifting, or golfing, that is healthy for your body and your brain.

Pastors go into church ministry because they were called into that role by God. However, not all the task fuels them and gives life to their soul.

As you withdraw, find the rhythm by doing something else! Change it up a bit.

3. Quarantine quarterly

Each quarter of the year, set aside time praying and planning out how the coming months will look on the calendar.

This can take place by escaping the busyness of ministry by simply just going somewhere else! Have a renewed perspective on your situation.

Sometimes, when pastors try to solve every problem they come across, or when they take all the grief they can take, their souls are simply drained.

Maybe go visit a healthy church and see how things are done there. Take a deep breath and be refreshed by seeing God's faithfulness being played in other churches!

4. Abandon annually

Set aside time to get away for a whole week. Perhaps gather with a good friend to get together for a "study week" to bounce ideas off of each other.

Why friends? For you and I know we need someone in our lives to talk about stuff. In a ministry setting, we are not able to talk about all confidential matters and we are not able to share all matters with our spouses.

The recommendation will be to have 2 to 3 friends in the ministry whom you trust and who don't live in your town. Ideally, these will be pastor friends who will understand the weight of being a ministerial staff position.

This could be a time of recreation. It could be a time to reset annual goals, both personal and family ones.

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Dr. Jonathan Hayashi earned his B.A. from Moody Bible Institute with a double concentration in Pastoral Ministry and Biblical Studies; a M.A., in Congregational Leadership from Moody Theological Seminary, and Doctorate of Educational Ministry in Biblical Counseling from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He presently serves on the Executive Committee at Southwest Baptist University (Bolivar, MO) and serves on the Board of Trustees at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as Senior Pastor at Northern Hills Baptist Church Holt, Missouri from 2020-2022. Learn More »

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