May 17, 2018 | Anger, Burnout, Depression, discouragement, Emotional Health, Fatigue, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, Pastor's Spouse, Rest, Stress, Uncategorized, Workaholism
“John I’m feeling depressed.” In my line of work, I often hear those words. Having experienced major depression two decades ago, when someone tells me they’re feeling depressed, I wonder: are they having a couple of bad days in a row—or are they dealing with...
Apr 26, 2018 | Burnout, Calling, Depression, Emotional Health, Fatigue, Leadership, Loneliness, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, Rest, Stress, Uncategorized, Work, Workaholism
Emotions can be funny things. Some people let their emotions control them. Others refuse to acknowledge they even possess emotions. Some leaders, to their own peril, ignore the important role a full emotional tank plays in longevity. According to a Barna Study of...
Apr 5, 2018 | Burnout, Calling, Depression, Emotional Health, Fatigue, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, Rest, Uncategorized, Workaholism
The rhythmic pounding of ocean waves might be one of the most relaxing sounds God ever created. A couple of weeks ago, Laura and I spent a week vacationing in sunny, warm Florida. (Michigan weather, please get a clue). We took in Venice Beach on a windy day, and the...
Feb 1, 2018 | Burnout, Calling, discouragement, Fatigue, Leadership, Pastor, People Leaving, Quitting, Stress, Uncategorized
What should you do if you’re a pastor and have lost the passion for your calling? What can you do when your assignment seems fuzzy, difficult, perplexing, and you find yourself wondering: “God, why did You lead me to this church?” Most pastors wrestle with these...
Jan 11, 2018 | Burnout, Calling, Career, Emotional Health, Fatigue, friendship, Leadership, Loneliness, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, Pastor's Spouse, People Leaving, People-pleasing, Relationships, Rest, Stress, Uncategorized
In last week’s blog we looked at 5 Common Stressors Pastors Face: Difficulty separating from work Wear and tear of spiritual warfare Societal dysfunction Raising/maintaining church budget Sensitivity Today I’d like to offer some practical ways pastors can address...
Nov 16, 2017 | Burnout, Calling, Career, Emotional Health, Family, Fatigue, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, Productivity, Rest, Stress, Uncategorized, Work, Workaholism
If you ask twenty people how many hours per week is reasonable for a leader to work, you’d probably get twenty different answers. Researchers from the business world have proven time and again that once you hit forty-five hours in a week, productivity (for most...
