Pastors, missionaries, and those who serve God are especially vulnerable to burnout.
Sadly, ministry leaders are burning out at alarming rates. Studies show pastors and missionaries often suffer from overworking, stress overload, discouragement, unhealthy relationships, and coping with sinful behavior.
Pastor stress statistics like the following show us the bleak picture of ministry burnout:
- 75% of pastors say they are extremely or highly stressed
- 70% battle depression on a regular basis
- 77% don’t think they have a good marriage
- 70% don’t have a close friend
- 72% only study the Bible for sermon preparation
Thankfully, some studies show encouraging signs for those who serve in ministry. The Schaeffer Institute released a study in 2016 that indicated 57% of pastors reported being happy and fulfilled.
The work you do as a missionary is deeply meaningful and impactful. It certainly has the potential to be nourishing and delightful when you rely on God and become aware of his kingdom (John 4:34).
But spiritual leaders often carry the unrealistic expectations of others — always on standby to offer inspiring leadership, never-ending compassion, insightful teaching, timely encouragement, and anointed prayer. This can feel overwhelming.
It might be helpful to pause and check on the state of your own soul. Are you overly stressed and run down? Maybe it feels like you are only hanging on by a thread.
Most people think overworking is the sole cause of burnout. Of course, learning to care for your soul through rest and boundaries is extremely important. But there is usually a deeper problem at the root of burnout for missionaries and ministry leaders.
This was the case for Rev. Howard-John Wesley in 2020. “I feel so distant from God,” he admitted. “One of the greatest mistakes of pastoring is to think that because you work for God, you’re close to God.”
A hidden yet significant cause of burnout for spiritual leaders is becoming distant from God.
All of us experience times of not feeling God’s presence. But for pastor Wesley, it was more than a discouraging moment or spiritual season of desolation. He got burned out from ministry.
Why did Pastor Wesley burn out? Why do we burn out?
Factors like preaching every week, compassionately supporting those in crisis, leading outreaches, managing ministry finances or logistics, and constantly being “on call” undoubtedly take a toll.
But the biggest culprit to burnout is when working for God crowds out personal intimacy with God. This turns us into “human doings” instead of “human beings” who have real hurts, pains, desires, and longings. Losing touch with our humanity keeps us from receiving God’s grace for our needs (Hebrews 4:15-16).
This is what Pastor Wesley experienced, even though he admitted to knowing better. The press of ministry slowly eroded his devotional life and soul care over a period of time.
It’s an easy mistake for any ministry leader to make. All of us catch this happening in our own lives from time to time.
That’s because your ministry is significant to the kingdom of God and fruitful for those around you. Your evangelistic efforts, pastoral care, and strong leadership draw people to Jesus and help them grow to become more like him.
Seeing positive results makes it easy to mistake Jesus’ command to “love your neighbor” as an instruction to care for others at the cost of yourself. This seems loving and sacrificial. But this is not what our Good Shepherd means.
Instead, Jesus teaches us to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). You can’t truly and fully love others unless love is deep inside you. Genuine and authentic devotion comes from embracing Abba’s love and loving him back with your whole soul (Mark 12:30).
For this reason, it’s actually loving to regularly say “no” to the urgent demands and expectations of ministry to say “yes” to intimacy with God. Enjoying “Father and Son intimacies and knowledge” is how you learn to partner with Jesus inside his easy yoke and accomplish true grace-filled work for his kingdom. The restful attitude cultivated from intimacy with your Best Friend will help you walk in “real rest” during day-to-day living, working, and serving (Matthew 11:27-30 MSG).
So how can you “love yourself” to then “love your neighbor” more peacefully and fruitfully?
True self-love is learning to be loved and formed by Abba — who loves and leads you perfectly (1 John 4:7). It’s important to practice spiritual disciplines that allow you to soak your soul in God’s lovingkindness and beauty.
You’re not likely to burn out when you find satisfaction in Christ. You also will relate to others (family, friends, and those you serve) from a deeper well of love and grace.
Here are four simple yet significant practices to renew your intimacy with God and prevent burnout:
#1 Share your raw emotions and struggles with a friend or spiritual director to give you empathy
A soul talk is a great way to cultivate honesty in your relationship with Jesus. Emotional honesty promotes deeper intimacy with Christ by making your relationship more authentic and strengthening your faith (relational trust) through trials.
Plus, embracing empathy from an ambassador of Christ helps you experience Jesus’ deep care for you (2 Corinthians 5:20). Try looking for the presence of Jesus in your friend during the conversation!
#2 Go for a run, walk, hike, or sit down and take a deep breath in a beautiful nature setting
Nature is a grace that God has given us and one of the ways he communicates to us about himself (Romans 1:20). The Psalmists also knew solitude in beautiful nature to be one of the ways the Good Shepherd refreshes our souls (Psalm 23:1-3).
Practices like meditating on a favorite Scripture while engaging in physical outdoor activity (one of my favorite things to do while running) or sitting on a park bench help refresh your soul in Christ.
#3 Cook and savor a healthy meal
Enjoying a meal might feel unrelated to enjoying God. Yet Jesus seemed to savor time around the table with his friends (Matthew 9:10-13, John 2:1-2, John 13:32, Luke 24:30-32). This is where he revealed his heart, built deeper friendships, and shared significant life events.
While you eat, give thanks to the Bread of Life and enjoy him at the table with you.
#4 Sleep or relax in bed for eight hours
The way to cultivate an attitude of rest is by continually practicing moments of rest with Jesus. Staying in bed for eight hours is refreshing not only physically but also spiritually. It’s a way to be like Farmer Jesus — scattering your seed then entrusting the harvest to God (Mark 4:26-29).
And remember, the best time to prevent burnout is before you become tired, isolated, or discouraged.
I pray you see how the Good Shepherd is leading you to find deep rest for your soul.
Pastor Wesley was wise to get help with burnout. You might need help, too.
The Soul Shepherding Institute helps pastors and missionaries go deeper with Jesus in emotional health and loving relationships. It is designed to help renew intimacy with Jesus through times of solitude in beautiful nature and to empower leaders by teaching them lifelong spiritual formation and soul care tools.
They have also helped over 30,000 ministry leaders plan and prepare for Sabbatical. Their Sabbatical Guide program will provide practical tools, video sessions, and one-on-one coaching to unlock the full potential of your Sabbatical.
Or you can start small by reading the Your Sabbatical: An Introduction book and asking God to help you discern what you need to find rest and renewal.
