Why Ministry Leaders Create Self-Inflicting Wounds

As much as I enjoy working with young people, I love it when I get to mentor and accompany individuals who are charged with leading the next generation. I enjoy watching others succeed, but lately, my heart has been breaking over the burnout and hurt we sometimes cause others and ourselves.

There are a lot of self-inflicting wounds that we create in the Church. I’m not pointing fingers at anyone; if anything, I know I have been guilty of this. The stress of overcoming current challenges is sometimes too much, but if we are going to reach people for Christ, we have to learn how to address poor habits like:

WORKING AT A NECK-BREAKING PACE

The path to building a healthy ministry takes one step at a time. Sustainable success does not come overnight, so you must have patience and take care of yourself. There will be days when everything goes well and some points when you have to take a step back.

Incorporating rest and taking at least one day off each week (I prefer two) is essential to your well-being. If you are working beyond your hours, sit down with your pastor or supervisor and rework your position. The pressure to get so much done can be debilitating, and the sacrifices are not always worth it. Remember building a healthy ministry is like a marathon, not a sprint.

NOT CALLING OUT POOR BEHAVIOR

When the work is overwhelming, it is easy to lose your cool. While working in the Church can be a joyful experience, there can be situations when we treat one another poorly. We can’t ignore our lousy behavior towards each other; instead, we must hold each other accountable to create a healthy work culture.

There is a lot I could share with this point, and I know there is no quick silver bullet, but it’s a conversation that needs to be had. If we care about bringing others to Christ, it starts with learning how to love those we work alongside.

Make sure you hold those you work with accountable. Be quick to forgive, and don’t be afraid to seek help. If you are a leader, do not be fearful of getting outside help to build a healthy staff culture. As an employee, seek out opportunities where you can learn the skills to be a healthy employee. If we can care for one another, we’ll be better witnesses of Jesus Christ.

LEADING WITH AN EMPTY CUP

To give your best, you must ensure you are at your best. That means making formation a priority. Leaders who invest in their spiritual, intellectual, human, and pastoral formation will gain confidence and better care for those around them.

To make your formation a priority look at your budget and schedule. Make training and spiritual development an item on the budget. Carve out time in your week to access materials and opportunities that will sharpen your craft. The more you grow as a professional, the better you can serve through your ministry.

PUTTING OURSELVES AT THE CENTER

You are a valuable part of your parish staff, but you are not the cornerstone on which it rests. Christ should always be at the center, which means you have to view your position like a steward. That means treating your position with care and building a ministry ready for the next person to take when your time is done.

You must delegate responsibility and equip the faithful to take the lead. Don’t do everything on your own and share the blessings. When you take yourself out of the center and follow the Holy Spirit you are opening yourself up to God’s blessing and not stressing out on whether the ministry will fail.

When you work for the Church, you don’t have to be perfect. There is no reason you have to pretend to have everything in order. We are broken people who need healing and nourishment, and the only way to receive that healing is to stop these bad habits and open ourselves up to God’s eternal love.

What steps are you taking to create a healthy culture for you and your coworkers?