Refresh Ministries

I began my pastoral ministry with great enthusiasm and hope. I had been sure of my call for pastoral ministry for many years and was excited to get started. My first ministry position was as a youth pastor. I served in that role for two years and the ministry went well. I took on the Senior Pastor role in our church with the expectation of similar success. I was full of enthusiasm and creative ideas. I was convinced I would be a great pastor. From time to time I would hear of pastors who had burned out or left the ministry. My response was skeptical and critical, How could someone called to ministry leave the ministry? My attitude changed, however, as through the years the realities of ministry began to wear me down. Instead of being optimistic about myself and others, I became inwardly pessimistic. When I first began as a senior pastor I couldn't wait for my holidays to be over so I could get back to work. After a time the opposite was true. I couldn't wait for my holidays to begin and dreaded when they ended. Over time and through a series of difficult events I came to the place of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion. I knew I could not go on in ministry. Fortunately, I had an understanding church board who granted me a sabbatical. As I began my sabbatical I was determined to find out why I ended up in exhaustion. I spent much time before the Lord, seeking Him and searching my heart. I also did a lot of reading on the issue of stress and burnout. My recovery was slow and at times I thought Id never be back in ministry doing what I loved. Yet God has been faithful to heal me and continues to do so. I have learned that stress and burnout have many causes; however, for me, one cause played a greater role than all the others the fear of man.

Refresh Ministries is open Monday 9:00am - 4:30pm Tuesday 9:00am - 4:30pm Wednesday 9:00am - 4:30pm Thursday 9:00am - 4:30pm.

Email office@refreshministries.org.

Email

office@refreshministries.org