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.

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