burn out

redeemed · Status: Offline

burn out

puppetmaster · Status: Offline

Welcome!!

This is a great place to come for support...

Please know that you are not alone - we have all had our share of burnout, antagonistic church members, people coming and going, church politics, etc...

We hope to hear from you more...

Trace · Status: Offline

Hi, Redeemed:

I'm glad you posted. I have found the ladies here to be absolutely wonderful and definitely a Godsend. Everyone here understands the pressures of being in the ministry. It's really difficult. That's why I love the ladies & this site so much. I can be real, don't have to pretend everything's ok when it isn't, & I know that there are people who really understand. We also rejoice w/ each other & love to hear the exciting things God is doing across the land.

I totally understand burnout & the need to rest. I'll be praying for you. Keep posting.

Tracy

Deanna · Status: Offline

Hey Redeemed...

I would caution you not to make any hasty move. Right now I'm at a conference and one of my pastor friends was telling me today something that really made a lot of sense. One of the speakers spoke on transition and making change in your life or pastorate. My friend followed it up by sharing that at one conference he was at the speaker said never make a hasty move during a "down" in your life or ministry. Always make it on the up becuase you are thinking clearly.

My dh and I went through a tough time in a previous church, the worst of which - when in the midst of the fire I asked him if he was going to leave...and he said, "no...I will leave, but it will be on a great up, not when the church is down..." He worked hard to get things back to a heathier point, in both us personally and the church. It's always better to leave on a high. Now I know that doesnt make sense to you because you feel burned out.

But it's like a death. Often people have someone close to them die and what do they do - they sell the house, move, give things away. That's the worst thing to do. Experts (counselors?) tell you right after a death, don't do anything drastic like change jobs or sell your house, or quit. Wait til things calm down and you are more in your right mind to make a wise decision.

I would advise you to keep your pastorate, but SCALE BACK SO AS TO GIVE YOURSELF ROOM TO HEAL. When I went through this, we kept the pastorate but I gave more time to me and my family for a while to heal before going to the next level.

Hope this makes sense. E-mail or post anytime. We're here for you.

With love,

Deanna

redeemed · Status: Offline

Thank you for your comments/ advice.

Do you know of any more conferences or links to support for pastors?

I think this is where we need some help, there isn't really anyone to counsel with because all the pastor's we know are older & didn't face the same situations.

Thanks again,

Deanna · Status: Offline

As far as resources for pastors - I would go to pastors.com, to the global pastor's network, ministryhealth.com, etc.

It's hard to find resources for involved pastors wives like we are - it's almost non-existent. A lot of the info is for wives who are barely or marginally involved and a lot of the discussion you may get in those places can sometimes be negative toward the ministry or continuing involvement, so I would caution you with that. Make sure you try to find places that are POSITIVE, and that ENCOURAGE you in ministry, not encourage you to get out of it, pull back or quit! (I don't believe that's the answer)

I do really like Jill Briscoe's "Just Between Us". She's very involved in ministry and seems to come from that slant.

I am A/G, and our fellowship is very supportive of women pastors and pw's being involved. They have a women in ministry site which is good. Go to www.ag.org and you will find it. You will also see the info about the women in ministry conferences that Puppetmaster mentioned. She's on the committee that is presenting the mid states regional one.

Hope this helps...

Deanna