In today’s world, pastors are leaving the ministry at an alarming rate. The latest statistics show that 1,700 ministers are leaving the ministry every month. That’s about 20,000 a year, which is staggering. Only 1 in 10 ministers will retire as a minister in some form.
Here are 6 tips to help you avoid burnout and have an effective, lengthy ministry that pleases God and leads people toward Him.
1) Healthy balance of church and family. Prioritize your spouse and children by making sure they know how important they are compared to your role as a pastor.
2) Avoid loneliness. Many pastors struggle with loneliness. Make sure to build relationships with other peers in and outside of the church to help ward off this potential hazard.
3) Be wise with your finances. Most pastors live on a tight budget. Make good decisions with money to avoid this stress, which can be a huge distraction in your life.
4) Pace yourself. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither will your ministry. Represent God well with a high work ethic, but know when it is time to rest and relax.
5) Realize that you can’t please everyone. This is a difficult concept for most pastors. Everyone wants to be liked! As a pastor, it is impossible to please everyone. Pray through tough decisions and realize that, at the end of the day, there is One who you should please – God.
6) Maintain a close relationship with God by staying in the Word. Oftentimes, pastors are so busy giving spiritual guidance to others that they neglect personal worship and study of the Bible. You can only help and lead others as far as your spiritual tank is full. Spend regular (non-sermon prep) time reading the Bible.
