It seems I am reading more and more blogs and articles about pastoral/ministry burnout and how to prevent it. There are more articles and books on church leadership than any one person can (and maybe should not!) read. Yet when I see some of these articles in prominent Christian blog and newsletter websites, I seldom see the scripture in Ephesians chapter 4 verses 11-13 discussed as an answer much less THE answer to resolving much of this contemporary issue in today’s churches and ministry circles. In fact, I can’t recall seeing this written even one time in my recent memory. Granted, now that I have reached sixty-five years of age my memory might not be as sharp as it once was or with the plethora of Internet articles available I may have read more than I can now absorb, yet as I reflect on the problem of burnout I believe it goes much deeper than just my memory.
Is it possible that fivefold ministry (Eph. 4:11) teams living in true community and working together in their God given gifts and callings would help so many avoid the trapped feeling, thinking that they must do it all or feeling the weight and responsibility for their ministry results?
Ephesians, one of the last few recorded letters written by Paul for training and instruction around 60 A.D., was well conceived and put into practical use in the churches Paul had planted. Can you accept that God would actually make sure it was included for us to understand and implement in our churches and ministry teams even now and into the future? Are we yet “all joined together in the same faith and in the same knowledge of the Son of God” (1 Cor. 1:10).
I wonder what would happen if every follower of Jesus Christ would ask for and receive an understanding of their gift and calling where they are today in their local body of believers and were openly given an opportunity and encouraged to put into practice what the Spirit of God has entrusted to them? What would happen if we “asked the Father in the name of Jesus” to bring to our (each) local body of believers those He has gifted and called out with specific ministry gifts to join together in the work of growing up the body in the unity of the same faith and accomplishment of His desire in our ministry? Would He be faithful to give that to us as He has already promised?
Hmmmm. Having now stopped and pondered these questions maybe the question that must be answered first is “Do we really want him to do that?” Really? Do we REALLY?
Are we really willing to “count the cost” of such a request to gain the glory of becoming a part of what only He can and will do through us? Has the cost of “burnout,” loneliness, disappointment, exhaustion been so great that we are afraid to find out? Or has it been so great we MUST find out?
Ponder what some of those “costs” might be for you:
• Laying down our pride, position, or title?
• Learning to live in true open and honest Christian community with those God calls so that we are deeply known as we know them?
• Experiencing a possible loss or reduction of salary?
• …………………….
He has already paid the price! Can you not trust Him with this too?
Darla Marsh
This is excellent, John. What a great challenge to Christians and churches to consider. Thanks for addressing this very timely issue.
April 19, 2012 - 5:56 pm From United States