Ministry Burnout
I know and have known many who are have told me that they are “burned out” on minstry and really need a break.
I want to preface what I am going to say before I get myself in trouble. I strongly believe that people should take vacations, take time with family away from church, and just relax. We need it to recharge our bodies and it gives us a chance to step back and see where we are and where we are going.
Now that I have that out of the way, I have one question for those of you who claim to be burned-out: “Are you burned-out, or has your relationship with Christ burned-out?” Christ-Followers should serve out of the overflow of our relationship with Him. If we try to serve Him cause we should, then we are doing it for the wrong reason. Some serve to hide the fact that their relationship with Him is lacking. It’s harder to question someone who is “busy” all the time.
Let’s make sure that we don’t mistake busyness with a relationship with Christ. It can be easy to do. The thing is that we need to be able to recognize it and act upon it. If ministry is keeping you from spending time with Him, then you need to stop, hand it to someone else for a period of time, and just get to know Him again. There is noone, no ministry, there is nothing worth doing that will end up costing you your soul.
In closing, I want to leave you with this scripture. This is God speaking to one of His churches:
Revelation 2:3) I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4) But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5) Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
Peace,
Kevin
