The Increasing Pressure on Pastors and the Impact of Burnout

For the past few years, sociologists and journalists have been describing millennials as “the burnout generation.” Now, there are reports that burnout and stress are on the rise with Gen Z as well. And then there’s the reality of spiritual burnout, the inability to feel the presence and power of God, a loss of desire for spiritual things. In the Bible, we see examples of spiritual disillusionment, from the frustrations of Moses as he led the children of Israel, to Elijah fleeing into the wilderness, feeling isolated and forgotten. Read the writings of monks in monasteries in medieval times and, even there, you find similar battles with spiritual apathy, a loss of passion and compassion. Burnout isn’t just a pastor problem. It isn’t just a workplace problem. It’s a spiritual problem, and this challenge affects the church.

On this episode of Reconstructing Faith, join Trevin Wax as he asks why burnout is happening and how we can respond.

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