“Pastor, we need to talk,” said the volunteer leader one Wednesday night after all the kids had gone home. “These kids just aren’t the same as they used to be. They seem to be getting wilder by the week. This is a good program; we’re telling them about Jesus. However, I’m not as young as I used to be. I just can’t do this anymore. I’m burned out.”

Unfortunately, the statements above are not entirely fictional. As a pastor, I’ve had volunteers say those things almost verbatim. Burnout is real, and sometimes there is a need to step away. However, if you’re in that boat, know that God’s Word provides solutions to handle ministry burnout. Before you quit, consider these three truths.

1. It’s ok to take a break.

“Sometimes the most holy thing you can do is rest,” said the late pastor Adrian Rogers.^[1] That’s good advice! That was essentially the way Jesus operated during His earthly ministry. Mark records the story of Jesus sending the twelve to conduct ministry in pairs. When they returned, they told Jesus everything they had done (Mark 6:30). There’s no doubt it had been a hectic time. What was Jesus’s response? “Come aside by yourself to a deserted place and rest a while” (Mark 6:31). 

Jesus knew the disciples, like us, had physical limitations. Working non-stop at anything will wear you out, so Jesus told them to rest. He didn’t intend for them to stop their ministry work forever, just long enough to regain their energy so they could continue the work of the Kingdom. Before you quit, take some time to rest.

2. Rely on the body of Christ.

Jesus invites believers to find their rest in Him (Matt. 11:28). We accomplish this by turning to that which represents Him: the church. Paul referred to the church as “the body of Christ” (1 Cor. 12:27), and he said the greatest thing the church can do is show love to one another (1 Cor. 13:1-13). 

One aspect of loving one another well is stepping up to help when life is overwhelming. If you’re overwhelmed in your ministry, lean on your fellow church members. Tell them what is going on. Ask them to help, even if it is only temporary.

There is another reason you should be asking for help. If the leader is overwhelmed, the workers are likely overwhelmed, too. Peter wrote that shepherds should set the example for the rest of the flock to follow (1 Peter 5:3). Before you quit, teach those who serve alongside you the importance of relying on one another.

3. Remember your “why”

It’s easy to forget why you’re even here in the first place. In the beginning, you were on fire for the Lord. You knew beyond all doubt that the ministry you are leading would make an impact for the Kingdom of God. But after showing up week after week and seeing no visible effect, your enthusiasm fades. You used to be excited when Sunday or Wednesday arrived, but you’re not anymore. Maybe you forgot why you were here in the first place. Writing to the Galatians, Paul said, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Gal. 6:9). Keep working. Remember, the harvest is coming.

Have you ever felt burned out in ministry? What got you through that time? Leave a comment below to encourage someone who may be experiencing that same thing today.

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^[1] Love Worth Finding Ministries, Adrianisms: The Collected Wit and Wisdom of Adrian Rogers (Collierville, TN: Innovo Publishing, 2015), 84, Apple Books.