The more pastors I talk to, the more I realize many of them struggle with busy. At a recent conference, I asked several pastors how they were doing with taking a day off every week. The first two replied: “I don’t take a full day off and haven’t for years.” Two more said something like this: “I used to take a day off weekly, but have fallen out of the habit.” A few of the pastors reported they consistently get a day off, but they have to fight for it.

These conversations were a fresh reminder: pastors tend to skip by a weekly Sabbath day. I get it—sometimes a pastor’s week blows up. Unexpected crises crash into their life, and the scheduled day off gets interrupted. But honestly, true emergencies are the exception. Bi-vocational pastors struggle with a weekly day off for obvious reasons. They work full time in the marketplace, and pastor a church. When it comes to Sabbath rest, they have to get creative.

But the pastors I spoke with at the conference all serve in a full time capacity. Why is it so hard for them to decelerate one day per week? What’s fueling the overwork epidemic among ministry leaders?

Here are 5 reasons that may surprise you:

Fear

Fear is a cruel taskmaster. Sometimes pastors overwork because at the root they are afraid. Afraid of not having a big enough church or a big enough salary. Some pastors are afraid of losing their job. Others are petrified of what others think of their work ethic.  Fear causes us to say yes when we should say no. To stuff our calendar like a can of sardines. Working out of fear is a recipe for anxiety, burnout, and depression.

Poor Modeling

I come from a long family line of workaholics. In addition, most of my early models in ministry were workaholics. They lived and breathed ministry. Everything (and everyone) else came second. So I thought, “I guess that’s how you do ministry. You run fast and hard. Rest? That’s for pastors who don’t really care about the mission.” Following unhealthy models contributed to a major depressive experience in my mid-30s, and almost cost me my life.

Brokenness

What’s broken on the inside of you that is driving you to workaholic levels? For me, I was trying to prove something. Prove I could succeed. Prove I wasn’t lazy. Prove I was valuable. Brokenness drove me to overwork, overcommit, and overschedule. I was trying to get from the ministry what is only available from God—a legitimate sense of value. If you look to your pastoral role to make you feel good about life, you’ll probably be stupid with your schedule.

Applause

Let’s face it: overwork is saluted, honored, and cheered in pastoral culture. Perry Noble states: “Overwork is the most rewarded addiction in our culture.” I used to think worn out, sleep deprived pastors who worked 70-80 hours per week were heroic. Not anymore. Pastors who consistently work at pace like that are speeding toward a brick wall. And unfortunately they usually don’t realize the brick wall is closer than they imagine. Can we stop cheering bad behavior? Can we quit applauding the wrong things? Instead, let’s commend each other for character development. For a healthy marriage. For good parenting. Let’s recognize workaholism for what it is: the evil twin of laziness. (Laziness is equally evil).

Substitution

In Luke 10 Jesus was a guest at the home of Mary and Martha. Martha was frantically preparing the meal, putting all the arrangements together, while Mary was hanging out with Jesus. Martha was irritated that her sister wasn’t helping with the prep. Or perhaps she was irritated that Jesus apparently wasn’t impressed with her busy-ness. Either way, she told the Lord: “Tell my sister to get off her butt (OK I added those last four words) and help me!”  Jesus response? “Martha, you’re wound up pretty tight (again I paraphrase). Mary has chosen what is better.”

Is it possible that pastoral overwork serves as a substitute for intimacy? Intimacy with Jesus? With our spouse? Our sons and daughters? Is it possible we use our overstuffed schedules as an excuse to ignore what God might speak to us if we would slow down enough to listen? Is there a chance we’re confusing passion for ministry with adrenaline? I know some leaders who think their fast pace is due to spiritual passion. I wonder how often it’s due to adrenaline?

Carl Honore writes: “A high speed lifestyle is like a drug. It changes the chemistry of the body and the brain. It produces stress junkies.” The truth is: some pastors are simply addicted to busy. Slowing down for them is like going through drug withdrawal.

Workaholic pastor—what’s driving you? Fear? Unhealthy modeling? Brokenness? Inappropriate applause? Substitution? In the name of all that is holy… slow down. Get to the root of your overwork issues before you crash into the wall. Understand it’s easier (and less expensive) to prevent a crash than to recover from it. Invite people into your life who can help you get your arms around your addiction. Once you’re free, you’ll have a better life.  Your marriage will likely improve. Your kids will get to see you more. And I suspect you’ll pastor better. Longer. And enjoy it more.

I’m rooting and praying for you!