Ask Fred > Faith > How do you handle burnout in ministry?
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Dear Fred
I know that you have been asked this question hundreds of time, but here it is again. We have been pastoring in this city and are questioning staying. Things seem to be stagnent. We moved into a new facility years ago and have worked feverishly to fill it up and move the people into a new level of spiritual maturity. My wife and I both feel the congregation needs a fresh start but haven't had a release in our hearts. We feel battle worn and fatigued.
Fred's Response
Most of us become fatigued when we try to measure our success. We feel depressed at how little we think we have done compared to what we wanted to do. Do you feel that you and your wife have deepened in spirituality as well as having helped others? Patience is one of the virtues, particularly when we feel we are on a dead end street. Have you become addicted to visible success or are you satisfied with planting seeds rather than reaping? Are you objective about who needs a fresh start?
