A few years ago, I felt life closing in while serving the Lord. Ministry ran smoothly on the surface, though undercurrents hinted at future challenges. During that season, I sensed my wife’s and children’s needs more keenly. Finances were tight, and home demands stretched me thin in pastoral work. I was on the precipice of burnout.

I visited my chairman of deacons and spoke candidly. He asked what I needed. I requested a five‑week sabbatical to reorganize things at home. That break proved exactly what I needed to avoid a crisis. Looking back, these 22 questions from David Kaywood’s post “Am I on the Brink of Pastoral Burnout?” would have offered helpful guidance.

Spiritual Health

• Do I maintain a regular devotional time with the Lord?
• Am I reading edifying Christian books regularly?
• Does sermon preparation energize or drain me?
• Am I harboring secret sin?

Practical & Time Management

• Is there any required task I am avoiding?
• Do I properly recognize the season I am in?
• Do I take one day off every week without fail?
• Am I delegating properly?
• Do I regularly feel apathetic?
• Do I check my phone too often?

Family & Home Life

• Does my wife still want to continue this ministry?
• Are my wife’s and children’s needs so great that I am emotionally taxed and need to step away?
• Do I receive adequate compensation?
• Do my wife and I love where we live?

Physical Health

• Do I exercise regularly?
• How is my diet?
• Am I getting 7.5–9 hours of sleep every night?
• Do I spend enough time outside?
• Do I have an outlet for stress relief?

Vocational Calling

• Is this church a good fit for me?
• Should I pursue secular work instead?
• Am I trying to get something from pastoral ministry that God never promised?

Related Material

• Rhythms that Keep You Whole — pastoral soul-care rhythms that prevent collapse
• Transforming Busyness: Heartfelt Reflection — reframes chronic busyness that accelerates burnout
• The Dip: Strategic Quitting and Sanctified Perseverance — criteria for quitting or persevering when ministry load peaks

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Source: https://www.pastorsandproductivity.com/p/am-i-on-the-brink-of-pastoral-burnout

Disclaimer: Information in my “slip-box” doesn’t necessarily reflect my agreement with the source or all its content. Recording diverse perspectives helps strengthen one’s position beyond the echo chamber of like-minded thinkers. By documenting alternative viewpoints, we engage in the intellectual wrestling match that ultimately deepens our understanding.

I aspire to post one note from my “slip-box” every weekday. If you want to learn more about how to work with knowledge, click this link: What is knowledge management?