Burnout

Barna recently published the results of a study on pastoral burnout. Some of the findings are encouraging, but others are not. They note “Pastoral exhaustion is down. Confidence in one’s calling has largely rebounded from its pandemic low. What has not recovered is deeper vocational satisfaction.” But what came to my mind was that these findings aren’t entirely unique to pastoral ministry. There are similarities in other forms of Christian ministry as well as in secular employment.

Another article from earlier this year states, “Workplace burnout has reached a six-year high in the United States, and the employee burnout statistics behind it paint a much bigger picture than most employers realize,” with Gen Z experiencing burnout faster than older generations. Interestingly, they found that remote or hybrid workers struggle with burnout more than others. A recent video clip from a professor at Bethel University notes that younger workers actually do not prefer remote work, in part because they grew up during COVID and understand the perils of isolation.

I think all these studies point to things we probably know but often fail to implement in our lives: Working harder and longer hours is not the source of satisfaction. Earning more money isn’t always worth the cost to our mental and physical health. Being tied to our screens and feeding on “social” media does not necessarily give us the relational support we really need. Scripture tells us:

• “I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind” (Eccl. 1:14).
• “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? (Is. 55:2a).
• “The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want” (Prov. 13:25).

Often what we really need is to slow down, rest (imagine that!), and connect with those in the Body of Christ who can support, counsel, and encourage us in our daily walk.

As I write this, my denomination is in the midst of preparing for our Triennial Convention in a few weeks, with all kinds of details to arrange, questions to answer, and some debates to moderate. It can be tiresome and even irksome at times. But next week I get to enjoy time with friends at our regional Family Camp in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and I know it will be uplifting for my weary soul. Without that break, I don’t know how I would make it through the next month. I know I’ll need some additional rejuvenation when the dust settles, so I’m getting things on the calendar as motivation to endure.

I’m grateful that my identity is not in my ability to do a job, though I have to remind myself of that frequently. It actually comes from being united with Christ and a member of His Body. It does include work, but only at the direction of the Head, not my own unreasonable expectations and endeavors. At the end of the day, and the end of life, what matters is resting in what He has done, not what I have done.

“Satisfy us in the morning with Your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days” (Ps. 90:14).

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© 2026 Dawn Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are ESV and all images copyright free from pixabay.com. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.

Out of Balance

I’ve often heard it said that in most churches, 10-20% of the people do 80-90% of the work. That may be more perception than reality; however, as the one who reviews every church report submitted to the denominational office, I can attest how infrequently I have to change the church officers and committee heads listed in our database. I think there may be several reasons for this trend, some good and some not so good, and probably some I have not yet thought of.

• Some people are genuinely gifted and called to fill a particular role. I particularly give thanks for those who are skilled to serve as church treasurers, because that is more complicated than just balancing a checkbook.
• Some people don’t know how to say no. I’ve heard it said that if you want to find people for a committee, look at the ones who are already serving in multiple roles, because they’ll probably say yes. That doesn’t mean they are necessarily the best person for all those positions.
• Some people desire control or recognition. They hold onto roles because they don’t trust others to do things the way they think they should be done, or they want their name attached to some success.
• Some people say, “I’ve served my time, find someone younger.” Retirement from all forms of service is not a biblical concept. Although the Levites were allowed to change roles at the age of 50 they didn’t stop serving (Num. 8:23-26). Certainly there are physical or mental limitations for some people, but often that is not the reason for the excuse.
• Some people have never been asked where they might be willing and able to serve. One reason that young people leave the church is that they don’t feel they belong or are useful to the ministry. They may need a little training, but that’s how the church continues to function and grow.

I do want to address the second category—those who don’t know how to say no, because I am often one of them. I didn’t think that was the case until I started noticing the things that frustrate me, and it’s often stuff I don’t really want to do but feel obligated. How many times do our relationships suffer because we are too busy doing what other people want? Pastors and leaders burn out, kids and spouses feel neglected, and we start to resent the very people we think we are serving.

One way to address the problem is to ask yourself some questions: What is my motivation for doing or not doing this particular job? Am I doing it to serve God, or just because someone asked me? Am I trying to fill some underlying need for approval or recognition? What might this cost me in terms of time, energy, aggravation, rest, and peace? Is there someone else who could do the job better, or who could use the experience? Have I actually prayed about this?

There will be times when personal sacrifice is necessary, but that is not always the case. An old song says it’s better to burn out than to rust out, but I don’t believe God wants us to do either one. When Jesus was on earth, He took time off to pray (Luke 5:16), spend time at a wedding (John 2:2), and sleep in the boat (Matt. 8:24). He did spend a lot of time teaching and healing the sick, but He also knew when to say no in order to focus on His priorities (Mark 1:35-38).

It’s tempting to say that motives don’t matter, only results matter. But God knows our hearts better than we do. Laboring for selfish reasons and impure motives will be revealed in the end.

“Each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire” (1 Cor. 3:13-15).

All those plaques and recognition awards we receive will probably be found in the firewood in the end, and that’s not a bonfire I want to fuel! Read through Matthew 6 and note how many times the word “reward” shows up, and how our heavenly Father takes note. May we serve Him alone.

“He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Cor. 5:15).

© 2025 Dawn Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are ESV and all images copyright free from pixabay.com. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.