Blog Health of a Christian Leader Psychological Wellbeing Manages Stress
The No 1 Threat to Completing our Mission
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Ministry is one of the most fulfilling and one of the most demanding professions. We share in the joys and the pains of life. We are in this because of a deep sense of call and purpose. God has touched our lives and this has produced a desire to see him touch others.
What would stop you from fulling your purpose?
The thing that stopped me for a time was severe burnout.
Matt Bloom, the lead of the Flourishing in Ministry project at the University of Notre Dame, says “the research shows 30% of ministers are in high to severe burnout.”
Burnout is our biggest threat to us fulfilling our mission.
It’s not exclusive to one denomination or tribe, as Bloom’s study shows. Ministers from all types of denominations participate in his ongoing study. You can not lay the cause on your tribe, rather it is an outcome of our global culture; the understanding of success based on numbers and money, expectations of ministry, the complexity of the task, stressors of life, and technology to name some of the causes.
How are you doing? How is your emotional tank? Are you flourishing?
Take some moments to reflect on these questions. Most of us find it difficult to see the gauge on the emotional tank. It may take some time to locate it. How will it show if my emotional tank is getting empty? How would it be obvious if I am not flourishing?
Today one of my friends said to me. “I’m tired in every facet of life and simply need to stop.” If you can identify with this, please stop, rest and get professional help. Please do not languish in silence. Ask for help.
Photo by Juan Fernandez on Unsplash
The best way to find the gauges of your emotional tank is to spend time with a mentor who has expertise in well-being.
Or if you are game and can handle the truth, ask your significant other, “How am I doing emotionally?” Take time to listen, don’t react but ask questions like, “How do you see this?’
As a mentor in this area, I find a spouse will usually know when their partner is not doing well, but are often are not equipped with how to address this sensitive area. A third party asking the question can give permission to talk.
Help is available and healing can occur.
Next the blog “signs I was in trouble”.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
When Time Off is not the Fix
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Stepping Off the Field to Heal: Enrichment, Sabbatical, and Burnout Leave Explained
As practitioners, we understand that there are times when our clients have been significantly impacted physically, mentally or emotionally, and need to pause and rest. Similar to an injured footballer, the fans should support his decision to step away and focus on healing and health. This will allow him to return to the field stronger and sooner than if he continued to play through his injury, making it worse. Sometimes our clients, especially those in caregiving professions, are hesitant to make time for rest, but rest is essential in any journey. Once our client has acknowledged that they are depleted and permit themselves rest, we can help them consider which type of leave would be most effective… ... Read More
8 Jan 2026
Three Keys to Managing Too Many Tasks With Too Little Time
It’s a feeling that everyone can relate to: too many tasks to complete and too little time. There are a few things that feel more overwhelming than looking at a full calendar or a lengthy to-do list while the clock ticks away. Feeling overwhelmed can lead to stress, anxiety and sometimes even depression. If your tasks are consuming all of your focus, time and energy, burnout is a likely result...
30 Oct 2025