Comments on: Depression, Burnout & Ministry: Deciding to Get Honest About Our Journeys…

By: Timothy

Timothy — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 22:45:12 +0000

its hard to have surpport when you think and operate differently. I want to live and walk and talk freely. freedom is what I crave .

By: Dennis

Dennis — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:40:34 +0000

Wow, its all there isn’t it. What is this toxic stuff that we have all been a part of? I am sitting here in a church office – I have the reputation, I have the career, I finally have a decent paycheck – and it is not enough to keep dealing with all this. For years I told myself that this was God’s way of smoothing out my rough edges, or transforming me into the image of Jesus through suffering. Maybe somewhere in all this God is still interested in my soul but it is hard to hear through the accumulated garbage that I have endured at the hands of very “spiritual people” over the years. Sorry -”Bitter -table of one” I guess. And the thing is that the guy I see in the mirror every morning, I don’t even know anymore. He is more tired and angry than he should be. Loads of people around me would tell me what a great life I have. I can see those blessings, but counting them one by one isn’t getting it done any more. Well – enough venting – Thanks for having this site up, I just stumbled onto it and appreciate the honesty – hope my own is not too much.

By: G

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 06:25:04 +0000

Hi, I do feel it right now. Responsibilities of ministry on the shoulders. Expectations of people. Misunderstandings from people. Bitten by sheeps. Disintegrating support from family. Disillusioned by what I am preaching. Yup. I do feel it. Not happy, drained out joy. Purposeless life. I am disillusioned by ministry and people…. What is even more massive – all these above comes in big clusters – waves after waves. Waves after waves.

Waking up everyday staring and pondering “is this what life is all about?”

By: Depression, Burnout & Ministry: Showing Hospitality :: Rhett Smith

Depression, Burnout & Ministry: Showing Hospitality :: Rhett Smith — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:01:28 +0000

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By: Rhett Smith

Rhett Smith — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 04:08:16 +0000

Check out DJ Chuang’s post, Deconstructing Depression, http://www.djchuang.com/2007/deconstructing-depression/

Amazing, honest and insightful post.

rhett

By: emotional maturity and depression : djchuang.com

emotional maturity and depression : djchuang.com — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:01:37 +0000

[...] Depression, Burnout & Ministry: Deciding to Get Honest About Our Journeys [...]

By: Rhett Smith

Rhett Smith — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 07:05:19 +0000

Drew,

Hey, great thoughts…I love that about the most dangerous words spoken are “it’s cool…I got it.” so true.

RO,

And yeah, I think the more we can bring these things to the light, the more that we can lead others with our vulnerable selves and experience healing and help bring healing.

Reminds me of Nouwen’s words in the book In the Name of Jesus…about the leader of the future is one who basically leads with their vulnerable, broken selves.

I think this generation is dying for this authenticity, and I have no doubt you two bring that into your ministries.

Thanks for posting.

Rhett

By: RO Smith

RO Smith — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 06:26:45 +0000

Hey rhett,

I loved this part of the book, and definitely know what that feels like. You sometimes feel like you are “spinning your wheels” and there is no traction. We all feel this burnout or depression at one point or another in our ministry. I have definitely been at a point where I wished that someone would have told me about this when I “responded to the call”. I think when we hear people say, “I am called to ministry”, I just want to sit them down and give them the whole truth. The problem is that most people who feel that “calling” aren’t probably ready to hear it.

I can’t help but wonder if all the people working in ministry are really “called” to it, or just thought they were good at it. These are two completely different approaches. The latter eventually “hits the wall” and then the person either plods through it passionless and endangering the lives of others. The previous still hits the wall, but I think is more willing to work through it and lean harder on Christ–because there is no other option.

Burnout/Depression is not an easy thing to deal with period, let alone in ministry. But the more people understand it’s reality and inevitability in our ministers and the more it is brought into the light, the better chance people who are “called” to lead our Jesus communities can experience healing and the those communities can contribute to that healing.

Great post brotha!!