3 Warning Signs of Church Leader Burnout

Burnout is something any church leader can face. 

It doesn’t matter what size church you’re in, how much help you have, or if you’re full-time, bi-vocational, or a volunteer.

But what is it? What is ministry burnout?

Ministry burnout can look different for each leader, but some common signs I’ve seen are when a leader starts feeling tired all the time; people get under a leader’s skin with the slightest request; or a leader’s ministry becomes a burden instead of a joy. 

It’s happened to me before, and it can happen to you!

Most church leaders will face burnout sometime in their ministry, but the key is to know what to look for in the beginning stages of burnout…before it’s too late. 

Here are 3 Warning Signs of Church Leader Burnout:

1. You’re Experiencing “Church Fatigue”

Are you tired … All The Time … even when you get the full 8 hours of sleep recommended?

Do you find yourself falling asleep at your desk? As you’re standing?

This could be a tell-tale sign that you are experiencing burnout.

How?

Because your brain can’t completely shut down; even when you’re sleeping.

An example of this would be that your dreams are full of “ministry nightmares”.

We’ve all had them … that dream where you’re standing in front of the church, but didn’t prepare anything to say. You’re running late for an appointment, but can’t seem to move any faster. The youth group is presenting you as a human sacrifice … or is that just me? 

These dreams can be warning signs that you’re “Always on”. 

You are never shutting down the “Ministry Monster” in your mind.

The emails and text messages you have to answer… 

Did you forget to do that one thing you always forget to do???

Why aren’t the numbers where they used to be???

Is the church board thinking of letting me go???

The list can go on and on.

Are you noticing the beginning stages of burnout?

2. You’re Stressed and Easily Angered

When I’m getting close to burnout, one of the warning signs that always lifts its ugly head is my stress level.

Usually, I’m a pretty patient guy when it comes to my peers and the people I serve, but when I start feeling burned out, I turn from “Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde”. 

Any request or question, and I can suddenly feel my blood starting to boil.

Why can’t they “just do it themselves”?

What, “another question”?

And I’m sorry to admit that this stress level usually follows me home to my family.

I find myself yelling at my kids, being short with my wife, and my poor dog has no idea who I’ve become.

This is usually followed by my family quarantining me to myself until I can come to my senses. (Life as a pastor’s family, right?)

What about you? Are you stressed and tense to the max? Are people avoiding you like the plague?

These could be warning signs you’re beginning to burn out.

3. Your Ministry has Become a Burden Instead of a Joy

As church leaders, we get into ministry because we love serving others. 

The joy on kids’ faces as we dress up and become the Bible character of the week … 

The excitement of youth as we play messy games for prizes … 

The tear on an adult’s face as they learn how much God loves them …

These things are why we do what we do, but burnout can take our joys and turn them into burdens.

We start finding ourselves complaining about how we have to get dressed up every week.

We ask ourselves why the teens just want games, and not to go deeper. 

We struggle with emotions of dread as that adult asks for counseling when we’ve told them the answer time and time again.

The emotions we’re feeling can start small, but over time they can grow to the point that we’re thinking it’s time to quit ministry altogether.

Before you do that, here are some things you can do to turn the Titanic before it’s too late.

1st: Take Your Day Off

In today’s culture, it has become a badge of honor to work as many hours as possible. If you don’t, you’re considered a slacker.

What the culture doesn’t tell us is our bodies, minds, and emotions are much like the iPhones we have in our pocket … they need to be recharged regularly if we want to use them for any extended time. 

The most acclaimed church leader I know took at least one day off. You probably have heard of him = GOD!

He didn’t have to take a day off. I mean He is God, the source of all power; but He took the seventh day off as an example for us.

The fastest road to burnout is not charging our own internal battery.

2nd: Get Your Calendar in Order

Do you have a calendar to map out your day, week, and month?

If not, others are more than happy to tell you what you need to be doing with your time. They will build your calendar around what they need, and on their schedules; not your needs and your schedule.

Don’t let them do this!

Sit down today and map out the next week. How much time will you need each day to: finish the sermon you’re preaching, develop curriculum for kid’s church, or find the music you want to practice for service?

Put that time into your calendar, and guard it with your life.

 “Calendar Blocking” is one of the best tools I’ve learned to help with this in ministry. 

What is calendar blocking?

It’s simply blocking off parts of your workday for certain tasks.

It could be sermon prep, making calls, visiting people in your ministry, etc.

Whatever it is, block off the amount of time you think it will take to accomplish a certain task. 

Now, when someone asks for something, you already know what time you have left (unblocked) to help.

Remember, you will control your calendar or someone else will.

3rd: Learn How to Say NO

The word “no” has become a curse word in ministry. 

I mean … we’re supposed to be servants, right? How dare we pick and choose what we can do.

But at what cost? 

What is replying “yes”, all the time doing to: you, your spouse, your kids, and your ministry?

Learning how to say “no” is one of the reasons I’m still in ministry after almost two decades.

If you’re good at what you do, others are always asking for your help, time, and experience.

If you don’t start allowing yourself to say “no” to things … you will never have time to say “yes” to the most important things.

Many church leaders are burnt out because they’ve overextended themselves to the point that their days are a blur of running without getting anything important done.

Quit saying “yes” to every request, and start learning to say “No Thank You”.

Call to Action

Are you feeling the warning signs of burnout?

Stop what you’re doing, and start listening to your mind, body, and emotions. 

They are trying to show you there is a cliff coming up the road. It’s up to you to listen or keep driving.

What Do You Think?

Do you have another tip I didn’t mention that has helped you?

Feel free to share in the comments section below!