Apr 25, 2019 | Anxiety, Burnout, Calling, Depression, discouragement, Emotional Health, Fatigue, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, Stress, Uncategorized, Workaholism
I am fed up. According to an extensive Barna research study of 14,000 U.S. lead pastors, published in January 2017, 37% of lead pastors are at medium to high risk of burnout. A whopping 66% say they have no deep friendships. 40% are not energized by ministry work....
Jan 10, 2019 | Burnout, Calling, Career, Emotional Health, Fatigue, Leadership, Mentors, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, Rest, Stress, Uncategorized, Work
I despise long distance running. In high school, I was forced to run track because playing football (my real sports love) was contingent on running track. No track, no football. I was a sprinter by body type, but for some reason our track coach thought having me run...
Jan 3, 2019 | Burnout, Calling, Career, Depression, Emotional Health, Fatigue, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, Productivity, Rest, Stress, Success, Uncategorized, Work
Wow—another year is in the books. I know it’s cliché-ish, but every year seems to go faster than its predecessor. I blinked, and 2018 was over. 2018 was an amazing year in so many ways: I have an incredible wife who is beautiful on the inside as well as the outside....
Nov 15, 2018 | Anxiety, Burnout, Calling, Career, Depression, Emotional Health, Fatigue, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, Productivity, Rest, Stress, Uncategorized, Work, Workaholism
I enjoy watching the ABC show, Shark Tank. It’s entertaining, funny, informative, and at times—touching. The show reminds me about the importance of focus, passion, hard work, and commitment to one’s calling. It’s a weekly testament to the power of diligence,...
Aug 23, 2018 | Abuse, Anger, Anxiety, Burnout, Depression, Difficult people, Emotional Health, Pastor, Stress
In 1992, I was the lead pastor of a growing church. We were having a banner year. Highest attendance ever. More people committing their lives to Christ than any year prior in our tenure. Record financial giving. We were in a wonderful stretch of organizational...
Aug 2, 2018 | Anxiety, Disappointment, discouragement, Doubt, Fear, Stress, Trust
No amount of money will ease all of your anxieties if you leave trusting God out of the equation. Jesus said worry chokes the life out of what He’s planted in us. And elsewhere He commanded us: “Do not worry, saying ‘what shall we eat/drink/wear?’ For the pagans run...