I participated recently in a gathering of about 100 ministry leaders for a time of encouragement focusing on self-care. This was not some sort of navel-gazing atmosphere, but instead an event that focused on tips and best practices for active ministry leaders to care well for themselves as they give their lives to advance the gospel and care for other people.
I was encouraged by the time with these leaders and left with several observations from the event related to self-care for ministry leaders. Here are seven:
1. Leader self-care is a relevant topic. The word “relevant” is at the risk of being overused and non-meaningful. That is unfortunate because it means, “having significant and demonstrable bearing on the matter at hand.” For something to be relevant, it must be important and useful. The practice of self-care is both important and useful for those who care for others.
2. Ministry leaders are asking for help in this area. Several of the participants drove more than two hours, some over three, to attend this gathering. Others brought several members of their staff and some brought their spouse. Some who attended were not vocational ministers, but they care about their church and their pastor and wanted to hear more about the topic.
3. Ministry leadership is a blessing and a challenge. Each speaker was careful to communicate the high privilege of serving Jesus Christ in a ministry leadership position. At the same time, they were equally clear that ministry leadership carries challenges that are different from other occupations. One speaker said that those in vocational ministry are working under pressure, under attack and under a microscope. I think he gave us a good summary of the challenges connected to the blessing of being in ministry leadership.
4. Ministry leaders want to help other ministry leaders. The host church and pastor wanted to hold this event because they care about other churches and their leaders and want to give back. The plenary speakers came at the expense of their own organization, receiving no honorarium or reimbursement for their expenses because they care about the topic and wanted to invest in the long-term well-being of those who serve Jesus and His churches.
5. Christian ministry leaders need each other. In one way or another each speaker commented directly, or at the least alluded to the fact, that ministry must not be a solo endeavor. We need the gifts, prayers, support and encouragement of others. Those who try to go it alone likely will not finish well. Each of us needs to develop friendships with ministry colleagues for the purpose of mutual support and encouragement.
6. Ministry leaders must be intentional about self-care. To remain effective and faithful over the long haul in ministry leadership, we must be intentional about developing habits, practices and routines that are life-giving for ourselves and our families. Proverbs 16:20 reminds us that it is not those that hear instruction who prosper but, “whoever gives heed to instruction prospers.” We must not only learn about self-care, but we must practice it as well.
7. Self-care and the Great Commission are connected. It is hard to advance the gospel when you are battling burnout, depression or ministry fatigue. If we want to see gospel advancing, Great Commission-minded, soul-winning, disciple-making churches, we must make sure that the leaders of those churches are being well cared for.
I am grateful for those who serve the Lord by serving His local churches so faithfully. I am also grateful to be part of a network of churches, the Kentucky Baptist Convention, that wants us to do all we can to assure that those who care for us so faithfully are also being cared for themselves.
Dr. Todd Gray 