Matt and Kim Bloom, principal researchers with the Flourishing in Ministry research initiative, explain why clergy are at risk of burnout. Their research has found that four types of "recovery experiences" are effective in avoiding burnout.
Burnout is real and it has real consequences. There’s a great deal of research to suggest that burnout not only undermines performance, but is very detrimental to the physical and mental health of clergy and other ministry leaders.
Why are clergy at risk?
There are a number of reasons pastors are at risk of burnout. One reason is they pour themselves out into their work and often don’t know when to say “enough.” There’s always something more to do. There’s always another need to meet. So, there’s a tendency to continue to invest past the time that they need to step back and rest. There are also pressures from the congregation. People don’t understand that pastors have real lives. And so, demands tend to come consistently and constantly.
All this means many pastors are always ready to work, even when they’re not at work. So, they don’t have an opportunity to step back, rest, and relax. Even when they’re at home, they’re poised as if they expect the next call or email to come through.
Regular “recovery experiences” are fundamentally important to maintaining wellbeing and avoiding burnout.
What are warning signs of burnout?
One component of burnout is emotional exhaustion — the feeling that you don’t have feelings, that you’re flat all the time. A second component is physical exhaustion — not being able to find any energy. And a third component is a growing sense of cynicism, bitterness, or jadedness, as if you no longer care about the things you used to care about. And those three components build up over time.
The importance of recovery experiences in preventing burnout
Regular “recovery experiences” are fundamentally important to maintaining wellbeing and avoiding burnout. Our research suggests that four types of recovery experiences are important.
1. Physical relaxation. There needs to be some time every day when you are completely physically relaxed, when you’re being a total couch potato, when your muscles have no tension in them. And although it’s hard to know exactly how much physical relaxation is required, we’d suggest at least 15 minutes daily.
2. Detachment. Think of detachment as just forgetting about work. It isn’t in your mind. It isn’t even in the back of your mind. You’re thinking about something that you enjoy, something that’s pleasant. Mental detachment means that work is not a part of your thought process. We think pastors need to experience a period of detachment every day — a minimum of 15 minutes.
3. Restorative niches. We’ve coined the term “restorative niche” to describe some activity that you really enjoy, but that also requires some level of skill or mastery. Your restorative niche might be walking, or knitting, or some sports activity. Like a hobby, a restorative niche is something you want to do, but it isn’t just something that would be nice to do if you have the time. A restorative niche is an important activity, something you need to do.
There is something about enjoying something that takes both positive concentration and effort that allows you to be absorbed in the experience in a positive way. Some might describe it as a flow experience. Athletes talk about being in the zone. Our research and other research says these types of experiences are restorative for both physical and mental wellbeing. We need to build them into our lives — ideally once a week, but at a minimum, once every two weeks.
4. Spiritual disciplines. Our research finds that certain kinds of spiritual disciplines are important for avoiding burnout. But the tricky part for ministry leaders is understanding when a spiritual discipline is personally restorative and when it is actually part of their work. When pastors are reading Scripture to prepare for a sermon or a teaching, it’s good and important for their work, but not something that is going to help them avoid burnout or foster their wellbeing.
We are finding that the most important spiritual practices for avoiding burnout are ones that involve mindfulness or contemplation — those moments when you can relax and clear your mind, and concentrate on something positive, calm, inspirational, or awe-inspiring. Our research and a huge body of research in neuroscience, medicine and the social sciences tells us that the daily practice of mindfulness or contemplative activities is fundamental to wellbeing. Even five minutes can be helpful.
How can you make time for these practices?
Pastors’ lives are already extremely busy and full. So, how do you fit these things in? We recommend that you ask yourself, “What does a typical day look like for me?” Try to identify those pockets of time where you can fit in some meditation, or take a moment to relax, or create an opportunity for detachment. There may be quiet spaces in a day when some of these activities can fit into the current flow of life. Start by looking and finding those moments that already exist. Then build on those moments to create even more space.
It can also be important to meet with the leadership of the church to explain the importance of setting aside time for your personal well-being. And clergy friends play a role in encouraging one another and validating the importance of taking time for yourself.
These findings are drawn from research conducted by the Flourishing in Ministry research initiative focused on the wellbeing of clergy and their families.
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Should you Take an Electronic Sabbath? by Thomas G. James
Virginia pastor Thomas James, a leading voice on the use of social media in ministry, says our modern world may require a new vision of Sabbath involving how we relate to our electronic devices. But before unplugging too quickly, he says it's worthwhile to ask, "What parts of our digital lives produce distractions and which ones enhance connections?"
As working digitally becomes more and more integrated into 21st Century lifestyles, the concept of an “electronic Sabbath” has emerged. An electronic Sabbath has been described as unplugging from all your electronic devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.) for a period of time to focus on rest and re-creation.
Could it be that our modern world requires a new vision of what Sabbath looks like?
Social media and self-care
One of the biggest challenges for ministry leaders in the digital age is getting so involved and so engaged, especially in the realm of social media, that we totally forget to set boundaries related to our own self-care. We love people. We love our church members. We love our communities. And we want to be connected and communicating with them as much as possible. But, in reality, over-committing one’s self on social media has diminishing returns, and may even detract from our ability to be present with people effectively in face-to-face situations. It can distract us from things we need to do to lead the church effectively, as we are called to do. It can be emotionally exhausting and reinforce the perception that one’s ministry responsibility extends 24/7.
Tuning out ministry demands, not friends and family
Sabbath observance is important. However, personal electronics have become more than just implements to facilitate work. For many, their phone or tablet is their alarm clock, weather-checker, game station, thermostat, or even car key. It’s also the connective link to friends and family, as well as congregants.
Taking an electronic Sabbath may not mean disconnecting totally from your phone or computer. It may instead mean defining those privacy settings that allow you to share information with family and friends, but not people from church.
Spiritual leaders need to preserve a personal life outside of the church. So, remaining connected to family and friends, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, grandparents and children can be important to self-care, while setting boundaries around your ministry responsibilities.
Sabbath observance is about time not technology
While Sabbath rest is important and some people may be troubled by their relationships with technology, ultimately Sabbath is not about technology, but about how to set aside dedicated time for connections — with God, with self, and with others. Before too quickly turning off everything that’s plugged in, it can be worthwhile to ask, “What parts of our digital lives produce distractions and which ones enhance connections?”
“Observe the Sabbath and keep it holy” is one of God’s commandments. Could it be that our modern world requires a new vision of what Sabbath looks like? For some it may mean “unplugging.” For others, it may require more careful thought as to how electronic technology relates to our ability to honor God in the use of our time.
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The Right Question
Leaders do not need answers. Leaders must have the right questions.
Leaders find themselves feeling like "crisis managers" much too often because, according to Daniel Burrus, they devote little time, on a regular basis, to becoming an "anticipatory leader" for an "anticipatory organization" that solves problems before they become a crisis. To do this, he suggests that leaders and groups look into the visible future and ask:
- What are the problems I'm about to have?
Want more Right Questions? Read Right Questions for Church Leaders.
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This new course in the Keeping Our Sacred Trustseries explores issues of clergy ethics in an era of instantaneous electronic communication. The course helps spiritual leaders stay healthy and attentive to appropriate boundaries in the midst of new ministry challenges including social media, texting, online pornography, and more.
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On July 1, the Rev. Dr. F. Douglas Powe, Jr., became the Director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. He is also the James C. Logan Professor of Evangelism (an E. Stanley Jones Professorship) at Wesley Theological Seminary. Welcome, Dr. Powe! Founding director Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., remains on the Lewis Center staff as Senior Consultant.
Rev. Dr. F. Douglas Powe, Jr.
Director, Lewis Center for Church Leadership
James C. Logan Professor of Evangelism (an E. Stanley Jones Professorship) and Professor of Urban Ministry
dpowe@wesleyseminary.edu
(202) 664-5706
The Rev. Dr. F. Douglas Powe, Jr., is an ordained elder in the Baltimore/Washington Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. Powe is committed to helping urban congregations and congregations in transitional areas to flourish through community partnering. His research interest are church revitalization, urban theology, and Methodist theology.
Education
- Ph.D. Emory University, Systematic Theology, Atlanta, Georgia
- M.DIV. Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, Summa Cum Laude
- B.A. Ohio Wesleyan University, Economic-Management, Delaware, Ohio, Magna Cum Laude
Books
- Transforming Community: The Wesleyan Way to Missional Congregations, co-authored with by Henry H. Knight III (Discipleship Resources, 2016)
- Not Safe for Church: The Ten Commandments for Reaching New Generations, co-authored with Jasmine Rose Smothers (Abingdon Press, 2015)
- Religio-Political Narratives in America: From Martin Luther King, Jr. through Jeremiah Wright, co-authored with Johnny Hill and Angela Sims (Palgrave, 2014)
- New Wine, New Wineskins: How African American Congregations Can Reach New Generations (Abingdon Press, 2012)
- Just-us or Justice: Moving Toward a Pan-Methodist Theology (Abingdon Press, 2009)
- Transforming Evangelism: The Wesleyan Way of Sharing Faith, co-authored with Henry H. Knight, III (Discipleship Resources, 2006)
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Quotable Leadership:
There is no such thing as business-as-usual in congregational ministry these days.
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Cynthia G. Linder]
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CrossRoads United Methodist Church in Collierville, Tenn., used Discovering God's Future for Your Churchin their discovery process. A display board represents the culmination of their efforts, highlighting the congregation's strengths and ministries, plus a visual representation of the church's next faithful steps as committed servants of Christ. Well done!
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Metrics Should Be a Tool for Learning, Not Judging
To the Point: Metrics: A Tool for Learning, Not Judging
To The Point
The current focus on setting numerical goals for ministry and reporting results is not new, though now greatly expanded. In the past, virtually all goals churches set related to money. The clearest example is the annual budget: it is a goal the church works all year to achieve, monitors closely, and reports regularly on progress. Usually no one gives more attention to monitoring and achieving those goals than the pastor. The same attention now is being given to people categories, but the concept is the same.
This expansion of goals, monitoring, and reporting, however, could easily miss the point as we often have done with finances. Any time conversations turn to setting goals, many think it is a way to set a standard on which they will be judged. Judging should not be the primary use for such metrics. The most important benefit of defining numerical goals is that goals become the opportunity to shape planning your church already needs.
Progress comes when we have a goal toward which we are moving. “Come up with the ending before you figure out the middle,” says Pixar storyboard artist Emma Coats. It does not help to talk about “what we should do” until we have a clear definition of what we want our activities to accomplish. Setting goals does not suggest they will capture all we hope to achieve. The Spirit works in amazing ways to do more than any statistics can reflect, but usually the Spirit accomplishes those unexpected signs and wonders when we are generating our own holy energy through prayer and hard work.
But What about Reporting?
Report honestly but never think reporting is the true purpose of your efforts. The numbers may show you reached your goals. They are just as likely to show that you missed them. Remember that most churches do not achieve 100 percent of their budget goals each year; but that does not keep them from setting new budget goals next year, working hard to achieve them, monitoring results diligently, and reporting them.
The real benefit of results you report comes from what you learned from them. Perhaps you set a goal to reach 60 children in Sunday School and fell short. But if you learned that teachers need more training, the time needs changing, and age groupings are too broad, your “failure” may be the beginning of fruitfulness that will benefit children for years to come.
“But won’t we be judged negatively for coming up short on the goal?” you may ask. If you identify what you have learned (showing you are paying attention), name the changes made from those learnings (showing you intend to improve), and illustrate that progress has been made despite falling short of the original goal (showing you are acting on the right learnings), I cannot imagine anyone judging your church negatively. Whenever numbers are reviewed, always include learnings thus far, changes made or planned, and progress from any changes.
Fruitfulness is God’s Alternative to Success
Success is not a biblical concept; fruitfulness is. Fruitfulness always holds within it passion for faithfulness, for no lasting fruitfulness is possible without faithfulness. But fruitfulness also captures a comparable passion for repeated biblical mandates to bear fruit. Fruitfulness is vastly different from success. Goals help fruitfulness, but fruitfulness does not require attainment of all our goals. Fruitfulness is not about personal or congregational glory but the advancement of God’s reign. Church leaders care about results because results are ways to go beyond doing good ministry to active participation in God’s hope for all to experience the abundant life revealed in Jesus Christ.
Lovett H. Weems, Jr., is professor of church leadership and director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary and co-author with Tom Berlin of Bearing Fruit: Ministry with Real Results (Abingdon, 2011).
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To the Point
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