Ever get tired of worship ministry? Maybe you feel like it's just the same thing over and over again. Or maybe you are just physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausted. THAT is burnout. Or at least that's what it can look like.
Often times, you don't even see it until you're well within the midst of it. If that's where you are at right now, something needs to change. The systems you currently have in place are not working and you are not setting yourself up for future success. How do you break the cycle?
Here are 3 steps to avoid burnout in worship ministry:
1 | Pick a Sabbath and stick to it!
When it comes to leading worship, you are typically "working" on everyone else's sabbath. (I put that in quotes because I know not everyone is a full-time worship leader - it's still work!) Most people show up to church on Sunday and receive. You show up on Sunday and receive but you also GIVE. And THAT'S what's tiring.
You don't get a Sabbath on Sunday... not a full one at least. So, you have to find a different day. It doesn't matter what it is - Monday, Friday, Saturday - pick a day and schedule it as your day off!
2 | Find what fills you up and do it!
Now, you've picked a day off - what are you supposed to do? What does rest ACTUALLY look like? Is it just sitting around doing nothing? It can be. Is it hanging out with your family? It can be. Is it reading a book that has nothing to do with ministry? It can be.
Rest takes many different forms and you have to find out what it looks like for you. A better way to think about rest is to ask the question: What fills me up?
Throughout the week you expend energy - on the Sabbath you get a chance to replenish. Find out what fills you up and DO THAT on your day off.
3 | Learn how to say no
"N-O" can be the two most powerful letters in ministry. Wow! That sounds pretty negative. You're right it is! But you know what's worse? Saying "yes" to everything.
Every time you say "yes" to something you say "no" to something else. When you say "yes" to just 5 more minutes, you say "no" to your family. When you say "yes" that meeting on your day off, you say "no" to rest. So choose your "yes's" wisely and say "no" more often!
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