

122. Burned Out and Broken, with Michael MacKenzie, author of Don't Blow Up Your Ministry
Feb 15, 2022
38:08
Michael MacKenzie, the Executive Director of Marble Retreat and the author of Don’t Blow Up Your Ministry, has been working with pastors in crisis for a long time. In this episode, Michael will help us understand not only the danger signs of an impending ministry blow-up, but also how to heal after we’ve blown up our ministry.
THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
- Michael MacKenzie is Executive Director of Marble Retreat and the author of Don’t Blow Up Your Ministry.
- Michael shares what led him to his ministry with Marble Retreat.
- Michael MacKenzie describes what he means by a “blown up ministry.”
- Burnout results when the stresses of ministry combine with the pastor’s own brokenness.
- Potential stressors include: people-pleasing, avoidance of conflict, and so forth.
- To avoid these pitfalls, pastors should be on the lookout for: resentment, exhaustion, lack of joy, lack of peace, lack of passion.
- Pride and success can also lead to a blown-up ministry when pastors cross certain unhealthy and inappropriate boundaries.
- Michael MacKenzie shares why failure can be better for the soul than success.
- Michael explains the differences between large churches and small churches and how that affects a pastors well-being.
- Healthy relationships are critical for healthy ministry leadership.
- One way to build relationships is to pick up a hobby that other people do.
- Michael MacKenzie reflects on the connection between confession and healing.
RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:
- Marble Retreat website
- Books mentioned:
- Don’t Blow Up Your Ministry, by Michael MacKenzie
- Renovation of the Heart, by Dallas Willard
- Works of Love, by Soren Kierkegaard
- Related episodes:
- Ep 47: Leadership, Anxiety, and Family Systems, with Steve Cuss
- Ep 52: Leadership and Soul Care, with Elaine Hamilton
- Ep 81: Anger and Spiritual Leadership, with Chuck Whitley
- Ep 82: Narcissism and Spiritual Leadership, with Chuck DeGroat
- Ep 92: Against a Culture of Abuse, with Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer
- Ep 94: Centering Prayer, with Rich Lewis
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