Burnout

Exodus 18
13 The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. 14 When Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” 15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; 16 when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” 17 Moses' father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. 19 Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, 20 and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. 21 Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 22 And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.”

One thing I am learning to pay attention to while in the ministry is setting boundaries. Sometimes it's just easier to take care of a need myself instead of finding others who can handle it. This is why so many pastors "burn out" instead of persevering. Moses was doing this very thing until his father-in-law pointed out the problem and gave him a solution.

Galatians 6:9
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Luke 18:1
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that wen ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Obviously, first and foremost, the number one preventative measure for burnout is prayer. Not giving up reaps rewards. But what can you and I do?

This depends where you are: the pastor or leader may have to learn to delegate. He may have to learn to let go of something and let another take that task over. This is tough for the person who is particular on how things should be done. Well, lose the pride and let God lead that person in that task, which very well may be so more effective than what you could ever do.

You could be on the other side of this - you may not be taking anything on. I'm not saying that you need to immediately start teaching 1st Grade Sunday School, but I am saying that there may be many things you can do that can help a leader avoid burnout: taking out trash; helping to shut down the church after service, shoveling snow off the front steps, etc. Watch your leaders, see if they are doing anything that you could do for them. That little thing may just be more important than you could ever imagine.