Here's an extract from my book "Blueprint for Growth"
I post here in light of a meeting this week with a young leader suffering from burnout.
How Can We Avoid Burnout?
Most leaders I
know have a spiritual routine: they read their Bibles and pray at the same time
every day, they fast regularly—fasting can have positive health benefits—and they
set aside time to meditate and to prepare their sermons. But sometimes this to
can become stale and monotonous.
The first thing
I would advise is to stay spiritually fresh: visit someone else’s church to
receive new ideas and spiritual insight, or go on a spiritual retreat. I have a
friend, a Pentecostal pastor, who often goes on a spiritual retreat with a
group of Anglican priests. I have another friend who, twice a year, spends a
few days alone in a cell in a Carmelite monastery. All of these things (and
there are lots more) can help a leader stay fresh and in tune with God.
Second, take
regular time off. Church leadership is not like other nine-to-five jobs. A
senior leader will often work more than forty hours per week. Create good sleep
patterns by getting into the habit of going to bed and rising at a set time
each day. Eat a balanced diet (Big Mac breakfasts are not the answer!). I
believe in a holistic leadership philosophy that is not based solely on
ability, talent, or calling, but also on good eating and regular exercise. The
fitter you are, the better you can cope with stress.
Third, don’t be
afraid of change. If you need to change something in yourself, do it. Change is
good! If you don’t have any close friends, make some. You need some close
Christian friends from outside your church to relax and have fun with.
Finally, don’t
be afraid of having fun! Your job is the greatest job in the world. It’s a
calling and vocation like no other.
Check it out:Blueprint for Growth.
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