BURNOUT! Are American pastors too busy?

Are American Pastors Too Busy?

According to Barna, one third of pastors are considering quitting.

One in five have considered self-harm or suicide within the past year.

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I'm writing this from the SonScape Retreat Center in beautiful Divide, Colorado. The solitude, rest and fun that my wife and I are having along with other ministry couples and the incredible ministry staff is good therapy indeed.

Hard driving, production minded, spiritual leaders often admit they are burning out, losing the passion and considering stepping out of ministry while, at the same time, refusing to stop, breathe and refresh. The idea of a sabbatical never even enters their minds, or, if it does, they are convinced their board would never grant such a request. The only option is to keep working until the fire eventually goes out and families are left emotionally destroyed.

Last night, a former pastor shared a story with me of his desperate need for a short, six-week sabbatical a few years back. Many in his church aggressively campaigned against it, presuming he wasn't worthy of such an extended “vacation.” It went to a vote and his request barely passed. Upon returning, the tide had turned against him in even greater measure, and he resigned on the spot. Forty years of pastoral ministry was over.

We must understand that pastors are often depressed, have high blood pressure, are constantly attacked, poorly supported, in counseling, on medication, suicidal and desperate to quit. Further, pastor's wives are often ripped to shreds by destroyed friendships, gossip against their husbands, manipulative parishioners and nonstop unrest. It quite literally is a pandemic.

Even after three decades of ministry and reaching 55 years of age, I know I have so much to learn. In fact, after a week at SonScape, I'm invigorated, not discouraged, by my past blind spots. The fresh perspectives and input by the leadership team is making me excited about healthy shifts to life and ministry.

The point? Pastors especially need to continually re-sign up, get healed and allow themselves to come alive with what the next season holds.

Barna reports:

Henri Nouwen famously characterized the role of a pastor as being a “wounded healer.” This perspective underscores the importance of congregants, church staff and others actively supporting their spiritual leaders. Such care acknowledges that a pastor’s resilience and well-being are fundamental not only to their personal lives but also to the health of the communities they serve.

SonScape Retreat Center
The view of Pikes Peak at a workshop at the SonScape Retreat Center in Colorado

We must rest and play.

Sabbath means rest. It also means celebration.

The New Covenant Christian should be living a Sabbath life, playing, celebrating, rejuvenating, and ensuring they are not burning out, fading and emotionally dying. This isn't a Sunday plan of action. It's every day.

Sadly, the families of pastors and ministry leaders are often strained due to the unnecessary and unrealistic demands of the church. Vacations, recreation, turning off the phone and retreating to recharge are fiercely frowned upon by many. Pastors, after all, must be fully available, dead to their own desires and crucified by the demands of the people, right? It's dysfunctional.

When we launched our current ministry, I made it clear that I'd be burning hot and working hard to fulfill the vision God has given me. I also clearly communicated that I would not apologize for tending to my own heart and to my family. Ministry is a major focus, but not the only focus. It's also not the primary focus. I know, that sounds sacrilegious to some.

I let my leadership team know they would have room to grow into key roles in the ministry. When we move out of the way and encourage them to advance in ministry, it's quite powerful. Additionally, I said my family and I would be involved in other ventures on a regular basis. Vacations. Retreats. Recreation. Fun. Rest. Other ministry. Personal growth. The baton of leadership would often be placed in their hands.

Our current trip to Colorado will last three weeks. We've been away from the church several additional weeks this year as well. Additional time away is coming next year. If the church is dependent on me being front and center at every service, my leadership is failing.

I won't apologize for the priorities, and I believe pastors will be well served to adopt the same demeanor.

Schedule rest and fun on your calendar.

Block out significant time every year to disengage fully from the church. No ministry phone calls, no church work and no pastoral responsibilities. Play with your kids, date your spouse and relax.

Do not apologize to anyone. It's time to confront the ridiculous burnout culture in the church.

Preventative maintenance is necessary

The threat of depression, fatigue, disillusionment, health issues, emotional crashes, relational crisis and more severe consequences like heart attacks and marital affairs demand our immediate attention.

If we delete the noise on a regular basis, become unreachable at times, delegate authority and responsibilities and tend to our hearts, the crisis moments will begin to diminish.

I strongly recommend scheduling retreats like the one my wife and I are currently enjoying as often as you can. Our lives have been dramatically impacted here.

Focus on the Family and many other reputable organizations provide preventative maintenance opportunities that focus on everything from your marriage to your emotional health, and so much more.

Classes, workshops, retreats and other helps will strengthen your heart, your family and your ministry.

Churches, invest the money in your pastor.

The church should be budgeting a significant amount of money for self-care. Pastors don't need the added burden of attempting to finance strategies to support their emotional health. Church boards, pay up.

Pay for a month of fun and rest every year for the pastor and his family.

Pay for retreats and workshops several times a year.

Pay for training for other ministry leaders so they can be ready to lead when the pastor is tending to his heart.

Create a culture of spiritual, emotional and physical health in the church. This will not only strengthen the pastor, but everyone that attends will experience the benefits and, hopefully, tend to their own hearts in a similar manner.

We need more pastors and leaders, not less. This burnout crisis must be dealt with and the hearts of pastors and their families must be tended to.

The Very Best Sex: Discovering a New Sexual Paradigm in a Vile Culture

Focus on the Family Retreat Center

A defiled, confused version of sexual satisfaction bombards our culture. It's time for a new sexual paradigm.

So, I told my wife I was writing an article on sex. She laughed and said, “You don't know anything about sex!” After my crushed ego was healed (not really), I laughed right back and said, “I know! But, people need to hear about the amazing resource we discovered this weekend!” So, with that in mind, if you are a married, Christian couple, read this. All of it. You'll thank me! You can listen to a podcast on this topic here… Then, I want to encourage you to jump at the chance to participate in a retreat at Focus on the Family that my wife Amy and I attended this past weekend. Discovering Passion: Keys to Sexual Fulfillment in Marriage at the Focus on the Family retreat center in Branson, Missouri was phenomenal! It was eye-opening, fun and refreshing. In fact, our previous retreat several months ago was so life-changing, that we had to come back for more! You can read about that powerful experience in a Charisma News article HERE. God is ready to breathe life into your marriage and into your sex life. Healing awaits. A life of intimacy and adventure is God's desire for you and your spouse!

SANCTIFIED LUST?

21  I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced. 2 Corinthians 12:21 (ESV)
Why are Christians tapping into the same evil seduction in the realm of sex that a vile, defiled and confused culture is? Sex between a married Christian couple should be absolutely nothing like the spirit of lust and sexual deviation that drives unbelievers, yet sadly, many Christian married men and women seek to “lust their way” to satisfaction.
27  “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28  But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28 (ESV)
Christians have all too often been duped by the same crafty demonic spirit that the world has. The enemy has a grand scheme and is uniquely anointed to bring all-consuming destruction to people, both in and out of the church, by promoting a twisted, demented and extremely seductive spirit of lust. The passion surrounding sex for Christians, while sometimes bridled, seeks to satisfy the same desires that those who are outside of Christ do. This is why pornography among Christians, and even among pastors and Christian leaders, is so widespread.
3  For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4  that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5  not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (ESV)
The focus is on an intense yet momentary experience instead of a much more satisfying, intimate and holy union between two people. “Sanctified lust” is not what God has planned for Believers. There is something so radically, wonderfully and mysteriously different for God's people in the area of sex, yet so few discover it. We, as godly men and women, are privileged in ways the world is not. If we have a true revelation of marital intimacy, we will be determined to give and receive love in ways the world could never understand. It's holy. It's pure. It's passionate.

THE CHRISTIAN DILEMMA

Christian marriages are regularly marred by self-focused arguments surrounding sex. The smiling faces you see on Sunday mornings are often experiencing wounding, rejection, frustration, temptation and confusion about their sex life. Churches are historically ill-equipped at addressing this issue, and this must change. Further, churches are equally flawed regarding ministering to teens and singles about sex. This issue has very destructive earthly consequences, and it also has horrifying eternal repercussions. To ignore what is possibly the number one issue of morality and wholeness in the church is a catastrophic move by most of today's Christian leaders. I propose appropriate yet direct and regular conversations, in safe settings, and with great integrity, on the topic of sex. If pornography is a daily struggle for many (most?) in the church, sex must be a teaching and equipping topic continually. If marriages are tense and often falling apart over this issue of sex, if husbands and wives aren't intimate and coming together as one as God intended, the church must step up to the plate. I believe resources like we discovered at Focus on the Family can help churches in very specific and effective ways. Discussion was direct. Sexual situations were addressed without hesitating to speak plainly. I believe Christians are yearning for this, yet they have not had an outlet or resource to help them with their extremely sensitive and vulnerable questions. Too often they turn to secular culture for insight.

A NEW PARADIGM: ONENESS

24  Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25  And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. Genesis 2:24-25 (ESV)
As my wife and I discovered at this amazing Focus on the Family retreat, which, by the way, was led by remarkable and highly qualified counselors including a Christian sex therapist, the pursuit of “oneness” is a much higher goal than a series of short lived, euphoric encounters. The holiness, selflessness and deeper love experienced in the pursuit of oneness will make the demands and desires for a simple act of sex nearly grieving. The loss experienced when oneness isn't the intent of being together is tangible. Of course, I can never do justice to the revelation we received during this retreat in a short article. I can simply say that my eyes were truly opened and there was language given to what previously felt like a nebulous, unintelligible truths about God's amazing gift of sex. Questions were answered, vulnerable discussions were had, tears were shed and legitimate excitement about a brand new chapter in our marriages hit us all.
6  How beautiful and pleasant you are, O loved one, with all your delights! Song of Songs 7:6 (ESV)
The act of marital love, when done as Believers with the Holy Spirit indwelling us, is absolutely nothing like what we see in our sexualized culture today. The adventure, the romance, the experience brings never-ending new layers, depths, revelations, joy, fulfillment and fun! The weekend ends with a session on “Affair Proofing your Marriage,” followed by “Leaving a Legacy of Sexual Wholeness.” God has called us to victory in this area, and that victory will be felt through your family line for generations to come! I want to encourage you to consider attending this marriage-altering weekend retreat at Focus on the Family right here in our hometown of Branson, Missouri. You don't have to live your life fighting about sex. Rejection and anger is not your portion. Freedom from sexual frustration and disappointment awaits. Indescribable intimacy with your spouse and a brand new, God-ordained sexual journey is worth the small price you have to pay to attend this weekend in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.

Deadline is today for theLab Intensive • Experience a school of fire in a luxurious castle

theLab-Intensives-dark

Someone is flying in from the UK just for this Intensive…hunger for fire and freedom has provoked them! No matter where you live in the world, this is an event you just can’t miss!

TODAY is the deadline to register for this one-of-a-kind school of fire!

REGISTER RIGHT NOW, RIGHT HERE!

The three night, four day intensive takes place in an 8,000 square foot CASTLE in Port Sanilac, Michigan.

There’s a chapel on the property, several fireplaces and a beautiful pool and hot tub!

It is surrounded by 25 acres of trees to another 25 acres of open land.

Meals and snacks are included! (You will only be responsible for lunches during free time each day)

theLab-Intensive-Deadline-Today-Flyer

Do you love your pastor? Give him the gift of four days of fire!

Give your pastor the gift of fire! Four days at an extremely reduced cost!

theLab Intensive is coming soon, to a castle in Port Sanilac!

Give your pastor a luxurious, refreshing retreat June 16-19, 2014!

The special cost for ministers is $150 each if you register by May 31st! That’s 1/2 of the regular cost and $100 off of the early registration cost!

Included is lodging, delicious food, all materials (worth more than the registration fee!) and all workshops and personal ministry.

REGISTER TODAY—THERE IS EXTREMELY LIMITED AVAILABILITY! WWW.THELABUNIVERSITY.COM/INTENSIVES

theLab-Intensive-Flyer

Do you have questions? Contact us today at [email protected]!

18 spots remain! theLab Intensives • An 8000 square foot castle in Port Sanilac, MI

THELAB UNIVERSITY INTENSIVES • A prophetic, prayer-fueled retreat in a castle!

REGISTER NOW

THELAB UNIVERSITY INTENSIVES

theLab University Intensives provide a unique, relaxing, fun and powerful experience of prayer, training and prophetic impartation in a luxurious resort-style setting.

Our two or three night retreats take place in a vacation home that can comfortably house 24 people or more.

Watch our info video to learn more about theLab opportunities, including our online school of fire.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Various prayer, training and ministry sessions will be marked by powerful, supernaturally charged teaching and prophetic impartation. 

theLab Intensive Port Sanilac IntensivesThe workshops include our core teachings such as:

  • Prophetic Messengers
  • Intimacy with Jesus
  • Fulfilling Your Destiny
  • Revelation Driven Prayer
  • The Coming Church
  • Becoming Unoffendable
  • Becomming a Carrier of Fire

REGISTER NOW

WHAT IS INCLUDED

  • Comfortable lodging for 2-3 nights (depending on specific event)
  • Four-six delicious meals
  • Materials (books written by John and other helpful resources)
  • All workshops
  • Personal prophetic ministry
  • Free time to enjoy the recreational opportunities or to relax

NEXT INTENSIVE

Port Sanilac Castle, June 16-19, 2014

Castle, 4 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 3 Baths

The exterior of this home is a wish come true. You will quickly feel that you are within the scene of Romeo and Juliet. A perfect place for weddings. Enjoy the small chapel built on this property. This rental can provide full wedding planning and services. If a wedding is not what you have in mind, this home can offer a quiet atmosphere for corporate functions and meetings.

The interior of this house was professionally decorated. All of the amenities of a beautiful castle. Four nicely appointed bedrooms will allow you to rest in comfort. A nicely furnished kitchen works great for entertaining. A beautiful living room will help you unwind for the day. Or if you prefer to watch television or play chess there is a great game room available. We certainly hope we can make you the King and Queen for the duration of your stay.

REGISTER NOW

INTENSIVE INSTRUCTORS

John Burton
theLab Director & Founder of Revival Church in Detroit
John has been developing and leading ministries for over 20 years and is a sought out teacher, prophetic messenger and revivalist. John has authored eight books, has appeared on Christian television and radio and directed one of the primary internships at the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City.

Additionally, he planted two churches, has initiated two city prayer movements and is currently directing a prayer and revival focused ministry school in Detroit. John also has a web and graphic design business and is continually developing new and exciting ventures. He and his beautiful wife Amy have four children and currently live in the Detroit region.

John’s mandate is to call the church in the nations to repentance from casual Christianity and to burn in a manner worthy of the King of Kings.  He is equipping people to confront the enemies of God (established religion, Jezebel, etc.) that hinder an extreme, sold out level of true worship.

Amy Burton
Amy will serve as your host and will ensure you have a relaxing, comfortable experience!

INVITE OUR TEAM

If your city isn’t scheduled for an intensive, please CONTACT US and let us know you’d like to help organize an event!

We would love to come to your region, anywhere in the world, if we can ensure at least 24 people would participate.

REGISTER NOW