The Revitalization Pastor’s Hidden Enemy: Burnout Before the Breakthrough

I have started the resignation letter many times over the years. I was tired; I was frustrated; I was close to burning out. When God calls you to lead a church through revitalization, no one tells you how lonely and hard it can be.

If you are leading a church through revitalization and wonder if you are the only one running on fumes, guess what… you are not alone!

Barna Research Group reported that in March 2022, 42% of pastors thought of walking away from their calling. While recent data show that number is now 24% (praise God), that still means 1 in 4 pastors are seriously considering leaving full-time ministry.

Church planters get prayed over. Megachurch pastors get platformed. But what about the pastor called to revive a church that has been declining for over a decade?

Revitalization work has a particular shape to its burnout:

1. The results lag behind the effort. (I wrote about this more recently in Why Does It Take So Long?)

Churches do not decline quickly, nor do they recover quickly. Getting churches reengaged in Great Commission work can take years. Burnout, however, does not wait for the breakthrough; it shows up in the gap.

2. Resistance often wears a familiar face.

In revitalization work, it is often the longtime deacon, the founding family, or the faithful member of thirty years who does not want to move forward; they just want to go back to the way it once was.

3. The metrics become the verdict.

When numbers (attendance, baptisms, cash) become the only way faithfulness is measured in the church, the pastor can become discouraged and depressed in revitalization work.

Number 3 is the one I have felt the most over the years as a pastor. Burnout comes not just from being tired, but often from failing to measure what God measures. Scripture never guarantees a pastor growth in attendance, baptisms, or cash. God calls pastors to feed the sheep, guard the flock, and remain faithful to the One who gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).

In my next post, we will look at some ways to prevent and overcome burnout.

Feel free to shoot me an email if you want to discuss this topic more at lee@buildgroups.net

Cheering you on!
Lee