Ministry leader burnout: the Anne Jackson interview

I remember the shock I felt when I heard my old pastor had cheated on his wife. A number of years later I asked him why he had done it, he shared that he had been struggling for years under a weight of expectations about his performance as a pastor, and that his affair was a form of escape. And this is not an isolated case. In this post I interview Anne Jackson who is currently writing a book, Mad Church Disease about what she calls the burnout epidemic in the western church.

 

1) Tell us about yourself

 

My husband Chris and I live in Oklahoma City, where we both serve on staff at LifeChurch.tv. We love reading, trying interesting restaurants, and travel.

 

2) You are presently writing a book Mad Church Disease (Zondervan) which is to be released early in 2009. In it you will be discussing healing and restoration from the burnout epidemic facing the western church culture. What exactly is this burnout epidemic?

 

Our world today moves faster than ever. With technology allowing - and almost encouraging us to be omnipresent, we find it hard to unplug. Add passion for ministry into the mix and it’s a recipe for disaster if we don’t learn to prayerfully and carefully seek God’s plan for all areas of our health - spiritual, emotional, physical, mental and relational.

 

3) Are there any conditions within the ministry practice or area that dispose a leader to this burnout?

 

Each environment is unique, and each person is unique. The one common predisposition those of us who are believers have is the fact that Satan wants to destroy us and he will use anything, even the convenience of today’s world, to throw us off track.

 

4) What sort of things can a leader do to assure that burnout doesn’t occur?

 

First and foremost, we have to continually die to ourselves. When we are working in our power, rather than the power of the Holy Spirit, we are being entirely ineffective for the Kingdom. There are also other practical things many of us overlook, such as getting enough sleep, investing in relationships, and even putting down the cheeseburger and fries…

 

5) What sort of things can a church or ministry organisation do to make sure there team doesn’t burnout?

 

Communicate openly and honestly. Identify a team member’s expectations and strengths. Keep communicating. Set boundaries within the team. Pray together.

 

 

6) So the story goes, the porn channel access was at record levels the week the Youth Pastor convention was in town… why is this?

 

Probably because their wives don’t let them watch it at home… In all seriousness though, I truly think behaviors like watching porn, abusing alcohol or other drugs, or even workaholism are all symptoms of this disease. When we’re burned out, we don’t want to face reality. These things provide an escape, albeit an unhealthy one.

 

 

7) For someone who has experienced moral failure or burnout, what is required to experience healing and restoration?

 

God’s grace is unending, and sometimes when you hit rock bottom, that’s all you may have to hold on to. Sometimes your friends, maybe even your family, will slip away. One pastor I interviewed for the book was living a secret life and had a long-term affair with another woman during his ministry. He said after his confession and beginning of restoration, “I could preach about grace all day long, but I’ve never truly experienced it like I have now.” Finding people who can help you walk through this is essential. Unfortunately, too many people get kicked to the curb when they go through something like burning out or a moral failure.

 

There is this myth that once you become a Christian you won’t get depressed, anxious or bothered by issues; how do you respond to this?

 

Read almost any book in the Bible and you’ll see there are many people, especially those in very intimate relationships with God, who suffered in a variety of ways. It’s in those dark times that we recognize even the smallest glimmer of light even more.

 

 

9) And finally, what is your definition of a healthy ministry?

 

Prayer driven and spirit led. I really think it’s as simple as that.

 

 

Check out Anne’s blog, by CLICKING HERE

Filed under Interesting People Interviews, Self Care | |