“Christian Leadership is a process of influencing a community to use their God-given gifts toward a goal and purpose as led by the Holy Spirit.” Ed Stetzer
Leadership, Burnout, and Mental Illness by Ed Stetzer
Ed Stetzer writes, “Less than two years ago I wrote an article on The Problem of Suicide. In it, I stated: Each year, 44,193 Americans die by suicide which, on average, amounts to 121 suicides per day. For many of us, these figures don’t feel too far off. We can picture the faces and remember the names of those in our own communities who’ve taken their own lives.
As a young pastor, I too came face to face with the harsh realities of suicide and the pain brought on by watching those I loved.” Read more
When Leadership Hurts by Trish Taylor
What do you do when you open the email message cruelly outlining all your weaknesses and mocking your vulnerabilities and then realize that it wasn’t meant for you to see? How do you hold it together when the people you lead don’t just disagree with you but have disdain for you? Read more
Who Watches the Watchmen? Notes on Ministry Leadership by Sarah Siders
If we are to fulfill this mission and do what a human cannot do—be the Watchman God calls us to be—then we need to finally let others watch over us. Pastors today have a lot on their plates and the stresses of leadership, burnout, and moral failures are all too real. Sarah Siders is a therapist and church planter with her husband in Manhattan, Kansas. Below she shares a bit of her story. Read more.
Pastors & Burnout: A Personal Reflection by Scott Nichols
Pastors today have a lot on their plates and the stresses of leadership, burnout, and moral failures are all too real. Scott Nichols is pastor of Crossroads Church in Carol Stream, IL. He shares a bit of his own story. Read more.
Do I, or Anyone I Know, Have a Mental Illness? by Barrett McRay
My hope is that we in the church can understand wounds of the soul well enough that we move beyond the stigma we have associated with “mental” illness. Read more.
Recommended Reading
“I’m tired of helping others enjoy God―I just want to enjoy God for myself.” With this painful admission, Ruth Haley Barton invites us to an honest exploration of what happens when spiritual leaders lose track of their souls. Weaving together contemporary illustrations with penetrating insight from the life of Moses, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership explores topics such as:
- responding to the dynamics of calling
- facing the loneliness of leadership
- leading from your authentic self
- cultivating spiritual community
- re-envisioning the promised land
- discerning God’s will together
Each chapter includes a spiritual practice to ensure your soul gets the nourishment it needs. Forging and maintaining a life-giving connection with God is the best choice you can make for yourself and for those you lead. This expanded edition includes the popular “How Is It with Your Soul?” assessment for leaders and a flexible six- or twelve-week guided experience for groups.
