Are you an empty leader?
Be honest.
It’s hard to lead others when you are getting your butt kicked. (Excuse the word, but I think it is needed here if that is how you are feeling.) When your world is crashing in around you, you’ll be less prepared to lead well. When the stress and anxiety of your world is heavier than the strength you have to lead, you will find yourself treading backward more than forward.
Empty leaders begin to shut others out of decision making, for fear of being discovered as being empty. Has that started happening to you?
The empty leader rarely sees much progress. Is that your story these days?
The emotional health of a leader is of utmost importance to the health of the organization.
If you are an empty leader, get yourself together…rebuild your confidence, rediscover your purpose, renew your relationship with Christ, and then lead with everything you’ve got…the healthy side of you!
Please know that if you need a prayer, a suggestion, or some help thinking, that’s one of the purposes of this blog. If I can’t help, I’ll try to point you to someone who can.
Have you had times when you knew you were unhealthy emotionally while leading? What did you do to regain your health?
Have you worked for an unhealthy leader? How was (or is) the organization impacted?
Ron,
Thanks for your blog. I was recently in a bad situation at church. It started out well and the church was growing in all the important ways. However, I got burned out, gained a lot of weight and my marriage suffered. This reflected in my leadership and people took advantage of my unhealthiness.
Last year I moved on to a new church and things are better. I take care of myself physically (lost 60 pounds) and spiritually. Also, I go to a therapist just to output and get it all out four times a year. Pastors, take care of yourself! Take your vacations, spend time with your families and most definitely set boundaries around your weekly Sabbath Day.
Thanks for sharing and for your honesty. I'm glad God is healing your heart.
I need prayer…this is totally me.
I'm praying for you now!
Right on! Thank you Ron!
Great post Ron.
I'm getting ready to take a two week sabbatical starting Monday. I'm putting a plan together so that I don't come out of this having done nothing more than watched a couple more movies and slept in a couple of days. Any ideas?
Paul, I applaud you for the intentionality. I would approach this time as you would a project you hope to complete. Set a few goals, then an action plan to meet them. Could be read 3 books, then you would set a schedule over the 2 weeks to achieve that. Do you need to read 2 chapters per day…etc. I'd decide to read/study a portion of Scripture. I'd discipline myself to do nothing for a period of time of silence….etc.
Set the goals and then the action plan.
Does that make sense?
My cousin recommended this blog and she was totally right keep up the fantastic work!
pastorcox
Is it possible the reason "Burnout" is such a problem for
**today's** "Pastor/Leader" is they have found themselves with a
"Title" and "Position" NOT found in the Bible?
Did anyone have the “Title” “pastor” in the Bible?
Was anyone ordained a “pastor” in the Bible?
Any congregations “led” by a “pastor” in the Bible?
And every “pastor” I’ve met also had the “Title” “Reverend.”
Does anyone have the “Title” Reverend in the Bible?
Jesus taught “His Disciples” NOT to be called “Master/Leader”
For you have “ONE” “Master/Leader” The Christ.
Mat 23:8-10 KJV
Ezekiel 14:1-7, speaks about "Idols of the Heart,"
and now God will speak to us according to
the "Idols of our Heart."
Has that “Title” and “Position,” “Pastor/Leader,” become an “Idol?” of the heart?
In my experience…
Titles become Idols.
Pastors become Masters.
Heavy weights on shoulders NOT easy to lay down.
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:
them also I must bring, and they shall “hear my voice;”
and there shall be "ONE" fold, and "ONE" shepherd.
John 10:16
One Fold – One Shepherd – One Voice.
If Not Now, When?
Be blessed in your search for Truth… Jesus.
Good thoughts. I wonder though if burnout comes also because we are imperfect people? It seemed to be the case for Elijah in 1 Kings 19…if anyone had reason for faith, strength and peace it seemed it could have been him, but that's not where we find him there… I think the human part is more the reason. I could be wrong though…I'm certainly not perfect. Thanks for your comment
You're absolutely right, Ron. In fact, I feel that I've recently been in a place of ministry that, though I love the people, wasn't a "fit" for how I'm shaped for leadership. Over time, I became rather burned out and I think it affected the success of my church. I feel badly for that, but have finally found myself heading in a direction that's more of a fit.
This feeds and fuels our passion and enthusiasm. So I'd add in, not to just try to energize, but also to make sure you're in the right spot for God's calling and gifts for your life.
Good call my friend. Glad to hear you are in a better spot than when we last spoke!
When I first started teaching and had to go back to school to get licensed and to earn my master's degree, I went through a couple of years where I was a nervous wreck. I was able to hang in there because I spent a lot of time in my prayer closet crying and whining. God saw me through the whole ordeal and I came out more secure in Him than I was when I went in. I also learned that the world does not revolve around me.
Thanks Patricia. I've done some closet crying myself a time or two.
I have been in this state many times in my past. Regaining my emotional health was tough. Reading, praying, time off all helped. The most important change I made was separating myself from unhealthy relationships.
We are currently experiencing an unhealthy leader at my place of employment. His demeanor and performance is effecting others in a negative way. It may be time for him to go seek counsel or leave.
That's a great point. When we are around unhealthiness we tend to be more unhealthy. The hard part, such as several I've talked with today, is when we've been sent to minister among mostly unhealthy people. I have a story about that I may share soon in another post.
Thanks Ron, we tend to be fear driven, that if we don't work hard enough we'll fail or be criticized, this creates a slow, constant emotional drain. There's seldom advice to get well outside of "get yourself together&rebuild your confidence, rediscover your purpose, renew your relationship with Christ" which are nice ideas but aren't practical. Leaders need to be more upfront with that which they need to stay well no matter how trivial or self-indulgent it may seem. For example, I love taking in an afternoon movie by myself on occasion or just going for a walk and taking pictures. These things would hardly be considered work and would certainly be questionable uses of time. But they do help keep me fresh, tension? Yes.
I totally agree. I tend to “disappear” and go for long walks or runs a couple times a month when stress mounts for me.
I have offered some other posts similar to this one.
https://ronedmondson.com/2010/04/when-a-leader-is-overwhelmed.html
https://ronedmondson.com/2009/03/learning-to-handle-the-stress-of-growth-as-a-pastor.html
https://ronedmondson.com/2009/04/ten-commandments-fourth-command.html
Thanks so much!