Christian leadership is not for the faint of heart. The fact that God commands Joshua to “be strong and courageous” not once, not twice, but three times in the first chapter of Joshua should be ample warning that leadership in God’s kingdom presents significant challenges. And yet, many of today’s most courageous Christian leaders face times in their journeys when they “hit a wall’. Wayne Cordeiro, Bill Hybels and Carey Nieuwhof have spoken openly about their personal experiences with burnout. While they might be among some of the most visible Christian leaders to address the issue, they certainly aren’t alone. According to Barna’s State of Pastors research (2017) 1 in 3 pastors is at risk for burnout and 46% of pastors have experienced depression. If we were talking about the Swine Flu, we would have declared a pandemic long ago!
This is the first article in a series dealing with the multifaceted issue of burnout.
WHAT IS BURNOUT?
Burnout is a state of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual exhaustion caused by long-term involvement in emotionally demanding situations. The progression from stress to burnout is slow and insidious (it can sneak up on you) and eventually can lead to depression if not addressed. Many Christian leaders are blind to their progression towards burnout. Sadly, not only are they not aware of how they are doing, they are not aware that they are not aware of how they are doing!
That is why it is important to be aware of and watch for the three main symptoms of burnout.
Let’s start with some general burnout symptoms that will be common to everyone. These include:
Emotional and physical exhaustion: You feel worn out physically and emotionally. You have no energy; feel depleted, debilitated and fatigued.
Depersonalized response toward others: You find yourself displaying negative or inappropriate attitudes toward people. Your sense of idealism disappears. You are irritated by others much more easily.
Reduced sense of personal accomplishment: You experience reduced productivity and low morale. You find yourself withdrawing from your responsibilities and from others. Your ability to cope with day to day stress is significantly decreased.
Physical Exhaustion can include sleep disturbances like insomnia, sleeping more than usual and nightmares; frequent or lingering colds, flu or viral infections; headaches; gastrointestinal upset; anxiety and panic attacks; and over or under eating.
Behavioral symptoms include low job performance and low job satisfaction; forgetfulness or poor concentration; impatience and irritability; escapist behavior; and dread of work.
Interpersonal Relationships are marked by increased marital and family conflict; loneliness and isolation; trust issues; overreacting to comments of friends; and increased expression of anger.
Attitudes that are common include feelings of inadequacy, inferiority and incompetence; cynicism or negativism; low morale or a sense of futility; feelings of anger, bitterness, resentment or disgust; over-confidence or taking unusually high risks; and a sense of hopelessness.
As you read this list, you, along with two other people out of every ten may realize that you are experiencing some symptoms of burnout. You may be wondering ‘So what do I do now?’ My first suggestion is do something – this will not go away on its own. Know that help is available and there is a path to recovery. You simply need to take the first step.
First…
Talk with someone familiar with burnout to discuss what you are experiencing. A counselor, doctor or colleague who has recovered from burnout are places to start. If you don’t know anyone you can speak with about this, please see the resources provided at the end of the article for suggestions.
Second…
Learn everything you can about burnout – even if things are going great for you right now. The information will be extremely useful to you in the future and for those you mentor.
This list is just a sampling of symptoms of burnout. What is key for you is to become familiar with your own early warning signs that generally begin to appear when you are not handling stress well. Unless you deal effectively with your stress when you recognize the early warning burnout signs, you will continue on to burnout.
If you are interested in learning more about symptoms of stress, burnout and depression, please visit our Resource page or Retreat page of our web site to sign up for an upcoming retreat or to put your name on a waiting list. Visit our Suggested Reading area for suggested books about burnout.
Just like a mature tree, the Christian faith endures many seasons. A tree planted beside a reliable water source perseveres through drought and continues to flourish producing fruit in each season. It’s labyrinth of thirsty roots reaches deep for the unseen source that sustains it.
Like this solid tree planted beside the water, we often long for a flourishing relationship with the Lord. In reality, we often experience seasons of hardship, opposition, or disappointment that can lead to an inconsistent spiritual life.
Whether you feel you’re in a beautiful rhythm with the Lord or need encouragement, GIWG retreat is designed for you.
We will unpack barriers that impede and explore practices that sustain intimacy with Jesus even amidst the difficulties in life and ministry. Some of the topics explored include God-given core longings, false values we believe in, unprocessed grief and spiritual temperaments that are unique to growing our relationship with Him. We will engage in spiritual practices that draw us into a more intimate and healing walk with Jesus.
If you have participated in an Unfinished Business group this material will provide a meaningful, in-depth review to continue your healing journey. Or, if you’ve been curious to know what an Unfinished Business group is like, this experience will provide you with an opportunity to learn and practice the main elements of this healing group.
Growing Intimacy with God Session Topics
RETREAT FORMAT (6 sessions)
Curriculum: Growing Intimacy with God for retreats (available from Thrive Ministries)
Each session has a teaching component (done in large groups), an experiential component, and a time of prayer (done in small groups). Personal reflection time is provided within or between sessions.
Session 1: Introduction and My View of God – Introduction to Spirit-led process, group safety, sharing symbols & 3R’s centering prayer exercise. My view of God and how that has been impacted by my family relationships during my formative years.
Session 2: God-Given Core Longings & Needs – What are core longings, recognizing our dysfunctional responses to unmet longings and going to God in repentance
Session 3: The Lies We Believe – Introduction to the steps to healing including, life situations, dysfunctional behavioral responses, dealing with emotional upheaval, lies and distortions and wounding in life; assessment of 4 core false beliefs (lies) and focus on scriptural truth
Session 4: Focusing on Truth – Experiential session related to truth(s) God has revealed to participants during their personal reflection time
Session 5: Grieving our Losses (lamenting) – Emotions – ours and Jesus’; unhealthy and healthy emotional responses; reflection on Jesus’ Garden of Gethsemane experience of lamenting; personal lamenting before God
Session 6: Spiritual Temperaments & Intimacy with Jesus and Farewell – What are spiritual temperaments? Lean about your spiritual temperament(s) including opportunities to engage in activities related to specific temperaments. Experiential communion and reflection on how God met participants during the retreat. Next steps & group evaluation.
SMALL GROUP FORMAT (8-weeks)
Curriculum: Growing Intimacy with God for small groups (available from Thrive Ministries)
Each week has a teaching component (done in a large group) an experiential component, and a time of prayer (done in small groups)
Week 1: Introduction to GIWG – introduction to the Holy Spirit, group safety, sharing symbols, 3R’s exercise
Week 2: My View of God– and how that has been impacted by my family relationships during my formative years. Introduction to Lectio Divina
Week 3: God-Given Core Longings & Needs – Core longings and our dysfunctional responses to unmet longings in 4 categories: medicating the pain, self-protection, self-provision and punishment of self and others. prayer of repentance
Week 4: The Lies We Believe – introduction to the steps toward healing including life situations, dysfunctional behavioural responses, dealing with emotional upheaval, lies and distortions and wounding in life; assessment of 4 core false beliefs (lies) and scriptural truth
Week 5: Focusing on Truth – Experiential session related to truth(s) God has revealed to participants during the week; Who I am in Christ scriptures
Week 6: Grieving our Losses – Emotions ours and Jesus’; unhealthy and healthy emotional responses; reflection on Jesus’ Garden of Gethsemane experience of lamenting; personal lamenting before God (homework)
Week 7: Spiritual Temperaments – what are they and experiential related to specific temperaments
Week 8: Intimacy with Jesus & Farewell – Experiential communion and reflection on how God has met them during the group; next steps & group evaluation
Date Nights
Last Updated: January 29, 2019 by Thrive Ministries Leave a Comment
Soul Focus
Posted: January 29, 2019 by Thrive Ministries Leave a Comment
Burnout – An occupational hazard of Christian Leadership
Last Updated: June 1, 2018 by Thrive Ministries Leave a Comment
Burnout – An Occupational Hazard of Christian Leadership
Article by Cathy Gates
Christian leadership is not for the faint of heart. The fact that God commands Joshua to “be strong and courageous” not once, not twice, but three times in the first chapter of Joshua should be ample warning that leadership in God’s kingdom presents significant challenges. And yet, many of today’s most courageous Christian leaders face times in their journeys when they “hit a wall’. Wayne Cordeiro, Bill Hybels and Carey Nieuwhof have spoken openly about their personal experiences with burnout. While they might be among some of the most visible Christian leaders to address the issue, they certainly aren’t alone. According to Barna’s State of Pastors research (2017) 1 in 3 pastors is at risk for burnout and 46% of pastors have experienced depression. If we were talking about the Swine Flu, we would have declared a pandemic long ago!
This is the first article in a series dealing with the multifaceted issue of burnout.
WHAT IS BURNOUT?
Burnout is a state of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual exhaustion caused by long-term involvement in emotionally demanding situations. The progression from stress to burnout is slow and insidious (it can sneak up on you) and eventually can lead to depression if not addressed. Many Christian leaders are blind to their progression towards burnout. Sadly, not only are they not aware of how they are doing, they are not aware that they are not aware of how they are doing!
That is why it is important to be aware of and watch for the three main symptoms of burnout.
Let’s start with some general burnout symptoms that will be common to everyone. These include:
Symptoms of burnout are specific for each individual and fall into four major areas: (This is a very short version of the list. See Symptoms of Burnout for a comprehensive list))
As you read this list, you, along with two other people out of every ten may realize that you are experiencing some symptoms of burnout. You may be wondering ‘So what do I do now?’ My first suggestion is do something – this will not go away on its own. Know that help is available and there is a path to recovery. You simply need to take the first step.
First…
Talk with someone familiar with burnout to discuss what you are experiencing. A counselor, doctor or colleague who has recovered from burnout are places to start. If you don’t know anyone you can speak with about this, please see the resources provided at the end of the article for suggestions.
Second…
Learn everything you can about burnout – even if things are going great for you right now. The information will be extremely useful to you in the future and for those you mentor.
This list is just a sampling of symptoms of burnout. What is key for you is to become familiar with your own early warning signs that generally begin to appear when you are not handling stress well. Unless you deal effectively with your stress when you recognize the early warning burnout signs, you will continue on to burnout.
If you are interested in learning more about symptoms of stress, burnout and depression, please visit our Resource page or Retreat page of our web site to sign up for an upcoming retreat or to put your name on a waiting list. Visit our Suggested Reading area for suggested books about burnout.
Try our Self Assessment, read about Symptoms of Burnout or learn more about Burnout Prevention.
Growing Intimacy With God
Last Updated: September 19, 2024 by Thrive Ministries Leave a Comment
Like this solid tree planted beside the water, we often long for a flourishing relationship with the Lord. In reality, we often experience seasons of hardship, opposition, or disappointment that can lead to an inconsistent spiritual life.
Whether you feel you’re in a beautiful rhythm with the Lord or need encouragement, GIWG retreat is designed for you.
We will unpack barriers that impede and explore practices that sustain intimacy with Jesus even amidst the difficulties in life and ministry. Some of the topics explored include God-given core longings, false values we believe in, unprocessed grief and spiritual temperaments that are unique to growing our relationship with Him. We will engage in spiritual practices that draw us into a more intimate and healing walk with Jesus.
If you have participated in an Unfinished Business group this material will provide a meaningful, in-depth review to continue your healing journey. Or, if you’ve been curious to know what an Unfinished Business group is like, this experience will provide you with an opportunity to learn and practice the main elements of this healing group.
Growing Intimacy with God Session Topics
RETREAT FORMAT (6 sessions)
Curriculum: Growing Intimacy with God for retreats (available from Thrive Ministries)
Each session has a teaching component (done in large groups), an experiential component, and a time of prayer (done in small groups). Personal reflection time is provided within or between sessions.
Session 1: Introduction and My View of God – Introduction to Spirit-led process, group safety, sharing symbols & 3R’s centering prayer exercise. My view of God and how that has been impacted by my family relationships during my formative years.
Session 2: God-Given Core Longings & Needs – What are core longings, recognizing our dysfunctional responses to unmet longings and going to God in repentance
Session 3: The Lies We Believe – Introduction to the steps to healing including, life situations, dysfunctional behavioral responses, dealing with emotional upheaval, lies and distortions and wounding in life; assessment of 4 core false beliefs (lies) and focus on scriptural truth
Session 4: Focusing on Truth – Experiential session related to truth(s) God has revealed to participants during their personal reflection time
Session 5: Grieving our Losses (lamenting) – Emotions – ours and Jesus’; unhealthy and healthy emotional responses; reflection on Jesus’ Garden of Gethsemane experience of lamenting; personal lamenting before God
Session 6: Spiritual Temperaments & Intimacy with Jesus and Farewell – What are spiritual temperaments? Lean about your spiritual temperament(s) including opportunities to engage in activities related to specific temperaments. Experiential communion and reflection on how God met participants during the retreat. Next steps & group evaluation.
SMALL GROUP FORMAT (8-weeks)
Curriculum: Growing Intimacy with God for small groups (available from Thrive Ministries)
Each week has a teaching component (done in a large group) an experiential component, and a time of prayer (done in small groups)
Week 1: Introduction to GIWG – introduction to the Holy Spirit, group safety, sharing symbols, 3R’s exercise
Week 2: My View of God– and how that has been impacted by my family relationships during my formative years. Introduction to Lectio Divina
Week 3: God-Given Core Longings & Needs – Core longings and our dysfunctional responses to unmet longings in 4 categories: medicating the pain, self-protection, self-provision and punishment of self and others. prayer of repentance
Week 4: The Lies We Believe – introduction to the steps toward healing including life situations, dysfunctional behavioural responses, dealing with emotional upheaval, lies and distortions and wounding in life; assessment of 4 core false beliefs (lies) and scriptural truth
Week 5: Focusing on Truth – Experiential session related to truth(s) God has revealed to participants during the week; Who I am in Christ scriptures
Week 6: Grieving our Losses – Emotions ours and Jesus’; unhealthy and healthy emotional responses; reflection on Jesus’ Garden of Gethsemane experience of lamenting; personal lamenting before God (homework)
Week 7: Spiritual Temperaments – what are they and experiential related to specific temperaments
Week 8: Intimacy with Jesus & Farewell – Experiential communion and reflection on how God has met them during the group; next steps & group evaluation
Last Updated: June 6, 2018 by webadmin Leave a Comment
Church Bullying