#1 - You begin to despise the people you are called to love and minister to.
#2 - You often allow your mind to drift towards what else you could do OTHER than ministry.
#3 - You feel like a “ministry machine” that does what you do out of guilty obligation rather than out of an overflow out of your own intimate walk with God. (In other words, as Bill Hybels says, “the rate at which you are doing the work of God is destroying the work of God in you!”
#4 - You begin to make decisions based on what is the easiest rather than what you KNOW God wants you to do.
#5 - You become increasingly critical of churches, people and ministries that you feel God is blessing more than you.
#6 - You can’t remember the last time you actually opened your Bible to comune with God rather than trying to find a sermon/Bible study.
#7 - Your begin to view the staff you serve with as your servants rather than God’s servants.
#8 - You use delegation as an excuse to be lazy.
#9 - You can’t remember the last time you and your spouse had a conversation that was not church related.
#10 - You can’t remember the last time you spent time with your children…and enjoyed it.
#11 - You begin to doubt the power of God in your life and the life of others.
Pastors…church leaders, I believe if six or more of these signs are true about you right now then you need to TAKE A BREAK…we don’t just “get healthy” by praying about it…we’ve GOT to take action.
Five steps I recommend…
#1 - You can read my post from yesterday if you haven’t yet…it has to do with getting healthy. (Here is the link.)
#2 - You can read Wayne Corderio’s book, “Leading On Empty.” One of the BEST BOOKS I’ve EVER read! (Here’s the link.)
#2 - You can read my friend Anne Jackson’s book, “Mad Church Disease.” GREAT insight from a great lady who experienced ministry burnout. (Here’s the link.)
#4 - Go see a counselor!
#5 - Take a vacation!
(To those in my upcoming coaching network…the entire first day of meeting is basically how to get healthy and do ministry…can’t wait!)