Sitting in front of the iMac, struggling with motivation, I found myself wondering why I was even alive. It was like one of those rainy days, when all you want to do is stay under the covers and keep your eyes closed. However, this rainy day lasted a week.
I thought to myself, “How could a burning passion turn into a complete burnout?” To tell you the truth, I thought I was invincible from this burnout plague.
After a few days of feeling sorry for myself, I decided to get quiet and seek God’s help. I closed my eyes, but refrained from having a pity party, sitting with a quiet mind and patiently waiting for an answer.
Shortly after, I was led to sit at my desk and make a list of everything I was doing for my church.
Not knowing where this was going, I was pretty excited to impress God with all the things I could do. My list turned out to contain 12 things, including: worship leader, tech team leader, financial director, stage design, marketing, graphic design, amongst other things.
You can't buy God's love. It can only be received as a free gift. Tweet Quote
Feeling rather proud of myself, I asked God for the next step. I was then led to underline the things that only I could do within my church, meaning this: there was not one other member of the church that contained the same gift or ability.
I went through the list, and found that it only applied to two things: worship leader and marketing. Everything else could be taken care of by others, who contained amazing gifts.
At this moment, I felt a bit belittled and relieved all at the same time.
You see, my love language is ‘acts of service’. I love to work, and show people I love them by what I do for them. The only problem with this is, you can’t buy God’s love.
God’s love can only be received as a free gift. He doesn’t want you working for it, or trying to maintain it by the things you do. God wants you to live knowing that He loves you, and that there is absolutely nothing that can take His love away.
As a young 23 year old, there was only one choice if I wanted to stay in the ministry for life: delegate. This is such an ugly word for those who like to do everything by and for themselves, but it is essential to being a great leader.
I have passed on every responsibly except the two mentioned above, and now I can focus on what I have really been called to do. On top of that, it has freed others to do what they are called to do, because I am no longer sitting in their seat, so to speak.
Effective ministry takes teamwork, and teamwork is inspired by its leaders. Tweet Quote
This is only a summary of my escape from ministry burnout, but I have imparted the most important details of my journey. Let me encourage you to sit down and make a list of everything you are doing for your church. Then, underline the things that only you can do, and delegate the rest to gifted people that are around you.
Effective ministry takes teamwork, and teamwork is inspired by its leaders. So, become a better leader today by learning how to delegate.
Well said, sir! As servants we condition ourselves that we have to continually take on more to keep up the call of serving. We don't truly serve if our hearts look as opportunities as a duty.
Besides bringing up the dreaded "D" word, I really appreciated you mentioning how you got quiet to seek God's help... thank you for the reminder to humble ourselves before our God for what it is He would have us to do!
-Continued blessings, friend!
As a lay person...not paid staff...i avoid it be basically saying I will serve in any capacity needed (sound, bass, stage crew...ect) 3 weeks a month (the ideal for me is 1 bass 2 sound) and 1 week off...and if the 1 week off does not happen i quite all and serve somewhere else. Only 2 months dis this not work both Decembers and both involved medical emergencies for others on the team...and it was my choice to help out.
Thanks for the great advice. It's practical and actionable, but it still leads us to rely on God for wisdom!