Often times congregants forgets that their pastor is a human subject to like passions like them and are therefore often surprise to hear of a burn out , wear out or break down as the case may be.
Although most of the reasons for pastoral burnout are personal and peculiar, some major causes can be clearly pointed out.
- Prayerlessness.
- Ministering without being ministered to.
- Zero retreat.
- Oppression from so called “fathers” in the ministry.
- Lack of delegation.
- Giving in to accusations and criticism.
- No leave or vacation.
- Indifference to hobbies and recreational activities.
- Un-supporting partners.
- Frustrations for personal needs.
- Uncooperative team and associates.
- Satanic attacks.
How to avoid pastoral burnout.
- Have a mentor that you can pour out your heart to, someone you are to a degree accountable to, even if it is the church committee.
- Take time out from time to time to evaluate your current effort and also to rest.
- Cultivate a Pattern of relaxation by engaging in some recreational activities daily, not once in a blure moon.
- Know when to retreat so you don’t surrender
- Delegate wisely, If you think no one can do it except you, you may be wrong and on a wrong path, train others.
- Don’t be a lone-ranger (wisely relate with other ministers and ministries) you can’t survive alone, neither are you called to survive alone, just do that in wisdom.
- Maintain a good relationship with your wife and children, they are your inner circle.
- Golden rule : WALK AND WORK BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD.