Over the past few years, it has seemed as if every church’s biggest fear is that one day their pastor will burn out. 

I hear this often from church mem­bers. It is a legitimate concern. 

According to the World Health Organization, burnout happens when chronic workplace stress isn’t successfully managed. It is characterized by: 

Energy depletion or exhaustion; 

Mental distance from one’s job or feelings of negativity or cynicism about it; and 

Reduced professional efficacy. 

Predictably, burned-out people look for new jobs. 

Burnout affects all workplaces, but especially churches and pastors, due to the stress that ministry puts on our mental and emotional health.

During the pandemic, many of my colleagues quit their jobs, either for different ones in ministry or to leave the ministry altogether. 

Because we seem to have more churches than pastors, it is easy to see why people are worried. 

This problem is not new. When I entered the ministry, I sought advice from other pastors. They told me serving the church was all about sacrifice — of one’s time, well-
being, even family — to do the work of God. 

Since then, many articles and books have been written about how dangerous the Christian culture of sacrifice is and how it leads pastors (and lay leaders) away from their calling or drives them away from the church altogether.

Burnout has become not only one of the church’s greatest fears but also a major concern of anyone who is discerning if they want to enter pastoral ministry.  

What causes burnout? Stressors in the congregation, the political climate and one’s personal life all contribute. 

Fortunately, many churches and denominations have become proactive to prevent pastoral burnout. 

Webinars and workshops (some hosted by Mennonite Church USA) give tips on how congregations can better care for their pastors. Experts are writing about how pastors can better care for themselves during trying times. 

All of this is good and valuable. Yet, burnout still occurs. In some ways, it feels inevitable.

While it’s important to try to prevent burnout, I believe we also need to focus on what to do when it happens. How does a congregation respond? 

I say this as a pastor who believes he has reached this point. This isn’t the congregation’s fault. I have been blessed to serve two amazing congregations filled with amazing people. 

But the past seven years of ministry have not been easy for my family and me. On the burnout checklist, I can mark most of the boxes.

Is it too late for me? Am I destined to turn into ashes before my congregation? 

I believe there can be a comeback from burnout. I have hope that through the community’s support, a burned-out pastor can be restored.

The church is a beloved community where the people care for each other. It’s a place where we make ourselves vulnerable — like I’m doing now — to help each other thrive and follow Christ. 

The community is for holding each other up as we carry our crosses. No one can do it alone. 

And this, I believe, holds the key to recovering from burnout: I don’t have to carry all the burdens or the stress. 

When I melt, people will build me up again. Help me feel adequate again. Reaffirm the work that I am called to do. 

I am thankful for my congregation, which is doing so much to build me back up. I am exhausted. I am stressed. I may even be burned out. But I believe my community is capable of holding me up in its care.

I do not say this to shame or discredit any pastor who has walked away from ministry due to burnout. I’m not placing blame on churches that have lost pastors who burned out. I’m saying I believe there is hope for those who feel like dust. 

There is hope for churches suffering through a crisis. That hope is found in Christ, the one who brings us together, and in community, the people we are called to be with.