How to Avoid Burnout: A Simple Lifehack for Post-2020 Ministry Leaders

2020 was no joke. 

Many Americans were faced with the reality of an uncertain future and struggled to find hope among the despair. Since 2001, Gallup has surveyed Americans to gauge their mental wellbeing. 2020 saw notable declines in every area of mental health among most of the groups surveyed. For example, participants that indicated their mental health as excellent or good dropped nine points from an average of 85% in previous years to 76% in 2020. 

Overall, U.S. adults tend to rate their emotional wellbeing positively, although 1 in 4 Americans (23%) say their mental health is fair or poor. Moreover, the declines noted in these surveys stretched across multiple demographics, including age, race, gender, and political affiliation. 

What does this information tell us about the state of ministry today? 

People are more stressed than ever, and it is our job as ministry leaders to ensure that we are not adding to the burden. 

Early in my ministry career, my event planner sister imparted this lifehack to me, changing my world.

"Fast, good or cheap. Pick two."

When it comes to church programs, there is a never-ending list of needs. Whatever it is, you need it cheap, and you need it fast. #DollarStore. Need it fast and need it high quality (good)? It is not going to be cheap. Finally, most often, as ministry leaders, we want quality programs (good) on a low-end budget (cheap) which means that we cannot do ministry flying by the seat of our pants.

Nevertheless, so many times, we demand all three of ourselves, our volunteers, or our staff - this is how burnout happens. By the way, if you think that all three are doable, I agree, but not all three are sustainable. Take it from me. 

Once, I was asked to sustain all three for an extended period. I knew that this would be impossible, but for the love of ministry, I tried. I managed after 90 days, but I knew it could not last; I had physical side effects from the stress. Another 90 days came, and I began breaking emotionally. After another three months, I was desperate. I was suffering physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In other words, I was the poster child for burnout. It was not long after that I found myself resigning from a ministry I was committed to for life. 

Do not let this happen to your people. 

As leaders, our job is to protect our flock by diligently planning, so they are not put in the impossible position of producing a high-quality product with barely any resources at the drop of a hat. 

So, when you have a great idea, remember to ask yourself, "Do we have enough time to do this well and inexpensively without killing ourselves to make it happen?" If the answer is NO, you have to be a good enough leader to pass. Then, in the long run, your leaders will thank you.