In today’s episode, we welcome back Greg Surratt. Greg is the founding pastor of Seacoast Church in South Carolina, the co-founder of the Association of Related Churches (ARC), and a pastor to thousands of pastors across the world. In our conversation today, we conclude our two-part look at the challenges regarding the health and wellbeing of pastors and unpack how we can respond to high levels of burnout among pastors and get in front of this problem with our higher risk younger and emerging leaders.

How can we come alongside pastors to help them address the elevated level of pastoral burnout?

• Retreats provide immediate triage/injection of a stress-free environment.
• Cohorts help pastors find a band of brothers or sisters.
• Resources: Book: The Endurance Factor by Greg Surratt and Chip Judd.

How can we get in front of pastoral burnout with our young, emerging leaders?

• Understand younger leaders are at higher risk.
• Teach and model solid rhythms of rest:
  • Daily
  • Weekly
  • Quarterly – with their spouse.
  • Yearly – vacation.
• Help them develop four key meta skills:
  • Finding a band of brothers or sisters.
  • Building a conversational relationship with God using journaling.
  • Going to God first and most for everything we need – being convinced in our heart of God’s perfect love for us.
  • Detoxing your soul by killing your ANTS: Automatic Negative Thoughts.
• Help them understand:
  • People come and go.
  • Don’t sweat the small stuff.
  • Enjoy the journey.
• Help them flourish:
  • The habit of gratitude.
  • Acts of service.
  • Ruminating on what is right.

What do you see happening in the Church that is encouraging you?

• Young leaders’ passion, dedication, and talent. The future Church is in good hands.
• A hunger for God’s work, especially among older teens.