There are several reasons why children’s pastors burn out I suppose. I’ve been a CP now for 10 years. I’ve had several people over the years come to me and say, “Ryan, I need a break, I’m burnout.” I just got an email last week from a children’s pastor in Texas who feel like she is at the end of her ropes. She told me that she’s burning out. If you’re feeling burnout, there are two reasons why.
First, there is a need in your life that is not being met. Few people in the Bible every burn out. There were several that burnt up, but very few that experienced burnout! Elijah probably came the closest. His problem wasn’t burnout. His problem was that he thought he was all alone. Jezebel was on his tail and he thought he was the only person left serving God. As soon as he found out that he wasn’t alone, he marched on.
If you experiencing burnout, examine your heart and ask, “What need do I have that is not being met?” Is it a friend? A closer walk with the Lord? A conference? A vacation?
Write this down and seal it in an envelope: Burnout means there is need in my life that is not being met.
The next time a volunteer tells you that they need to take some time off because they are burning out, go deeper and try to help them see that there is a need in their life that needs attention. Their problem is not the class or the kids.
There’s one other reason why children’s pastors burn out. Check back and I’ll tell you what it is. This is the way I see it.
Burnout Brenda,
Not only am I in charge of our children’s program but I’m also the worship director and the lead pastor’s wife. For years (many) I had this need to feel needed and of worth. In the process of making sure that what I did also reflected well on my husband - I killed myself by dong more and putting more time in every time there was a criticism. People were always amazed at all the “things” I did and accomplished. However, it bore a heavy toll on my life both spiritually and emotionally. I’ve come to realize as I’ve grown older that I was so busy serving God and forgot to spend time with him. I’ve come to see that God has many servants but few friends and he wants to be our friend. John 15;16 SAYS ‘No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” How much easier it is to do something for God than to cultivate a friendship with him. I know for many years i was making ministry more important than prayer. but the proper order, is prayer, obedience, then ministry. I’m still in the process of getting my eyes off of people and praying first rather then let it be the last resort. Marilyn Hontz who wrote “Listening for God” puts it so elequently, “When Satan throws his “daggers of Ds” - discouragement, distraction, dismay and depression - the Lord offers a beautiful D word to cover every wound the enemy inflicts: deliverence.” Put this into practice and burnout shouldn’t be an issue. Thanks for your article! Brenda Dykhoff
Ever since I began volunteering about 5 years ago I have heard the warnings of burnout. When I took a staff position about 3 years ago I was warned about burnout. When I took on additional responsibilities that go along with the Associate pastor position I was again warned of burnout. However, one thing I have observed in just these few short years working with kids and building a kids program is that so many people in the ministry and in the church in general have no real direction. Some can hardly tell you why they are here, instead they take on a treatise of why they were called here.
Years ago, during the summer, I began asking very tough questions of myself. I began to ask very tough questions of my ministry. I asked “why”? Why am I here? Why do I do what I do? Why am I working so hard on this or that specific project. The answers led to major changes to our ministry, like cutting Christmas programs and other events that didn’t fit with the answers I had received.
My life and my ministry have both purpose and passion. This means in the short run that I was unpopular changing the things that we had “always done”. VBS went away, so did Easter events, and many of the “outreach” projects that were amazingly “ingrown”.
Don’t be afraid to stand up for your calling by God. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself and others to do greater things instead of doing more things. If you feel your ministry is your responsibility then it is probably time for a change because it most likely no longer your passion (if it ever was).
Without purpose and passion burnout is not only a threat it is a reality. The only remedy I know is to let God handle the responsibility and I handle the relationships. Loving kids keeps me fresh and vibrant, it makes me leave wanting to come back.