What pastors wish church members knew
Too many pastors today are experiencing “pastoral burnout.” Burnout is emotional, mental and physical exhaustion. One recent study shows that 45.5 percent of pastors say they have had to take a leave of absence from their ministries because of depression or extreme burnout. What causes pastors to experience burnout?
• Physical overexertion. Due to everyday ministry demands, pastors often experience exhaustion. One pastor confessed, “Because we’re a small church, fewer people are available to do physical labor. I need help not to overdo it, but I rarely have that help.”
Another pastor explained the physical work required just for a church member’s funeral. “I find a dedicated bereavement ministry to be quite physically exhausting. It involves funeral preparations, funeral planning, grief discussions with the deceased’s family, the time necessary to prepare for a meaningful funeral service, follow-up ministry, etc. I need recovery time when it’s all over because I’m exhausted. And bereavement ministry is just one part of my job as pastor.”
• Constant and often severe stress. Stress can greatly harm the human body. Too many people depend on pastors for them to become victims of stress. If pastors live and work under constant and severe stress, then they will get sick. Eventually stress either will interfere with ministry or cut it short. Too much stress robs pastoral ministry of its reward or fulfillment.
• Unhealthy eating and lack of exercise. A number of pastors admit they eat unhealthy food — and too much of it — and they struggle with obesity. They also admit they don’t exercise — some from lack of discipline, others because they are too tired or don’t have time.
The problem of unhealthy pastors has become critical. A recent study found 76 percent of Christian clergy are overweight, compared with 61 percent of the general population.
• Lack of rest, recreation and retreat. Many pastors confess they desperately need more time to rest, get away from pastoral responsibilities and have fun. They need balance in their lives. Many want a simple sabbatical but find it hard to take even a single day off. One pastor said, “While church members can miss any Sunday they need to for a weekend away with their family, a pastor cannot do this.”
What you can do to help your pastor:
• Examine your need before you call on your pastor for help. Is this a situation you can handle by yourself or with the help of family members or friends?
• Volunteer to help your pastor accomplish various tasks in the church. Give him the gift of hands-on help with the details of ministry.
• Establish a pastoral care team to minister to your pastor and his family.
• Make sure your pastor takes much-needed vacations. Be generous in giving him time away from church responsibilities.
• Know the signs of pastoral burnout, and be alert to your pastor’s mental and emotional health. If your pastor shows symptoms of potential burnout, then talk with him and offer to get him professional help.
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Denise George is the author of ‘What Pastors Wish Church Members Knew’ and numerous other books. Denise and her husband, Timothy George (founding dean of Beeson Divinity School), are members of Shades Mountain Baptist Church. For more information, visit www.authordenisegeorge.com.
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