Jan 14, 2021 | Anxiety, Burnout, Calling, Career, Depression, Emotional Health, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Pastor, Stress, Uncategorized, Workaholism
According to Barna’s most recent stats, 50% of pastors are currently suffering with depression. Yikes. In sixteen years of working with pastors, I’ve never seen them more stressed as a collective whole than I do now. So I thought it might be a good idea to...
Nov 5, 2020 | Depression, discouragement, Emotional Health, friendship, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, Relationships
This past Sunday at church, a good friend asked me, “How are you?” I gave her the standard, “I’m good” response, even though I came to church that morning carrying some heaviness. She persisted, “How are you . . . really?” It was like she had radar and could sense...
Oct 8, 2020 | Anger, Depression, Disappointment, discouragement, Grief, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Pastor, People Leaving, Uncategorized
“We’re grieving the loss of what was, Pre-COVID.” “We had so much momentum in March, and then . . .” “People have disappeared and we don’t know where they are.” These statements from pastors reveal a common thread: Leaders are grieving the loss of what was before the...
Aug 20, 2020 | Anxiety, Burnout, Calling, Career, Depression, discouragement, Emotional Health, Exhaustion, Fatigue, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Pastor, Stress, Uncategorized, Work
When I ask leaders about their day off, I’m often greeted with a blank stare followed by uncomfortable mumbling. Some report they haven’t taken a day off in years. And even worse, a few of them are proud of it. They wear busyness as a badge of honor. Many contributors...
Aug 13, 2020 | Alignment, Anxiety, Assignment, Burnout, Calling, Depression, discouragement, Emotional Health, Exhaustion, Fatigue, Finishing Well, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Pastor, Quitting, Stress, Uncategorized
In the book of Revelation, chapter 2, Jesus makes an impassioned plea to the church of Thyatira: “Hold on to what you have until I come.” “Hold on.” Jesus was speaking about finishing. As the stress and strain of COVID-19 lingers on, and the...
Jul 30, 2020 | Burnout, Depression, Fatigue, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Pastor, Rest, Uncategorized, Work
“Reflection turns experience into insight.” ~ John Maxwell Today is my first day back in the office after a week of much-needed time off. The multi-shaded blue waters of the Great Lakes, the beautiful forests, great food, and time detached from the work we love made...
