The realities of ministry burnout

In a recent article in Evangelicals Now, John Funnell describes an understanding of burnout and a way of doing ministry that seems to work for him and his family in their context, and that's great. God has most certainly used them! But, I want to offer a response.

John has done so much good for the gospel. We've never met, but we move in similar circles and so over the years I've been kept up to date with the amazing work God has been doing through him in Abersychan. God has gifted John uniquely for this work, while many others look to his ministry as an example and a pattern for their own.

I want to offer a response because I think what John infers in the article might have the potential to be unhelpful for others, especially those who might feel some pressure to try to emulate his methodology.

1. Burnout is more than just tiredness

Firstly, I want to gently suggest that John's definition of what burnout actually is is too narrow; very rarely is burnout simply about being too busy. It is rarely about struggling to find a healthy work/life balance or not getting enough physical rest. That can certainly be part of it, but almost never the whole.

My wife and I spent six years ministering to women leaving sex work in Pattaya, Thailand (probably don't Google it). The hours were long but not unmanageable. We lived on the same street as the ministry's accommodation, so the women and their children were often in our home outside working hours.

For me, none of that was particularly difficult, in fact much of it was a joy. Instead, it was the emotional weight of the situation many of the women and their children faced. It was the spiritual darkness of the city. It was the horrific stories of abuse. It was knowing that sometimes the women would choose to return to their previous line of work. It was tensions within the staff team. It was the pressure of expectations from supporters at home.

By the time I'd reached burnout, a Sabbath day didn't help. Even on rest days I struggled to engage with or be present with my family because I was so emotionally and spiritually spent. I lost interest in the work. I found it difficult to concentrate on anything. I isolated myself. I felt overwhelmed and anxious most of the time. Thanks to my wife, I got the help I needed, but I know plenty of people who've somehow hidden all of this (sometimes for a very long time), felt like a failure for years and years and ended up completely crashing.

In hindsight there's a lot I could (well, should) have done to offset some of that, primarily having someone to talk to and be completely honest with about how I was feeling. I ended up speaking with a fantastic counsellor (who was a Christian) online, but I wish I'd have initiated a relationship like that from the beginning of our time in Pattaya. Sometimes it's difficult to confess this stuff to your pastor back home or your mission agency (and, I imagine, as a pastor, to a fellow elder or someone providing oversight from your denomination). I wish I'd have known the signs and symptoms of burnout so that I could have spotted what was happening earlier. I wish I'd been aware that burnout isn't just being a bit tired.

2. Consider context

Secondly, and speaking as someone who now spends a lot of time working through some of this with pastors and missionaries, it's worth emphasising that while we can and should rejoice that John's ministry practice works for him and his family in their context, it definitely doesn't work for everyone.

One of the things that tends to happen when a ministry is tremendously successful is that there's a temptation for others to attempt to copy and paste. Sometimes that works, but often it doesn't.

So, if your ministry looks different to John's, or you've chosen to take different steps to avoid burnout, that's okay. It doesn't mean you don't deeply, deeply love those you minister to.

God made us all uniquely and gave us all different gifts, so just because someone else is called to be a pastor or missionary in a different way to you, that doesn't invalidate your calling or mean that God can't use you powerfully. We need Peters, Priscillas, Pauls, Joannas, Barnabuses and Phoebes as we get on with the job of taking the gospel to the ends of the earth and making disciples. One of the wonderful things about the church is the diversity and variety of characters, personalities and giftings God has blessed us with, all uniquely called to minister to others while loving, serving and faithfully following Jesus in our own contexts.

If you'd like more information on the signs and symptoms of burnout, Mental Health UK has some helpful information here: https://mentalhealth-uk.org/burnout/#section-if. If you're struggling with any of this, please reach out to someone. There are some great services available I'd be happy to put you in touch with. You can contact me directly.