In episode 263 we discussed the seconding leading contributor to pastoral burnout . . . isolation. In today’s episode, we consider the top contributor: The ongoing and immense stress of the role. Stress comes with the pastoral assignment, so what is a leader to do?

Three Big Ideas:

Big Idea 1: Ownership

• Pastor, you own the management of stress in your life.

Big Idea 2: Network

• We own stress management in our life, we manage it best with healthy relationships.

Big Idea 3: Rhythms

• Effective stress management includes an integrated set of rhythms.

Five Practical Behaviors:

PB1: Go Deeper

• Luke 3:21-22 – Become convinced of your real identity.
• He loves you perfectly/completely/unconditionally, and . . . He is well-pleased with you.

PB2: Get Fitter

• James Blumenthal: “50 minutes of exercise a week reduces your chances of suffering with depression by 50%.”

PB3: Integrate Your Thoughts & Emotions

• The more our thoughts, and the emotions we attach to them, integrate with the truth, the better we manage the stress life and leadership throw at us.

PB 4: Reach Wider

• You and I will struggle with stress if we insist on functioning in a relational vacuum.

PB5: Run Smarter

• Work is a gift from God – laziness and workaholism are perversions of that gift. Both create a bad variety of stress.