Printable PDF Leaders-Who-Last-10-22-15
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Ministry leaders leave formal ministry at a disconcerting and alarming rate. Some say 50% of young ministers will not last 5 years. A 2009 Schaeffer Institute study of 1050 pastors, reports 100% of the respondents had a colleague who left the ministry because of burnout, conflict in their church, or from a moral failure. Many ministers report burnout, having no close friend, marital and family stresses, church conflicts, and emotional pain. We need to be proactive in supporting those in ministry to thrive and last well.
Use of these Conversation Guides
This resource is designed for leaders for peer learning. Some may choose to use it for mentoring with a more experienced leader; however its primary design is for peers in leadership. The questions are designed to be as “open” as possible. They do not have a specific or “right” answer. You are encouraged to bring your life stories to the questions and apply your experiences as they fit for you.
Through the years, researchers, theologians, philosophers, counselors, leaders, and grandma would agree that no one does well as an island. We do not have to work hard to remember the burnout or “fallout” of a colleague who was alone, discouraged, and quit. The reasons may be varied and sometimes have tragic consequences.
A brief overview of these questions may seem overwhelming for most people because of the issues that they raise. Take your time in processing your thoughts and feelings. The goal is healthy longevity and resilience in ministry, not simply the completion of “12 Conversations.”
There are a number of ways you can utilize these guides. The questions can be answered as an individual for personal time in reflection and journaling with God. Others may choose a “kindred spirit” type of friend, locally or at a distance by phone or SKYPE, to share responses in consistent times of nurturing friendship and mutual accountability. Some people may want to create a discussion group of people within a local or a larger geographic area that meet together to support one another in leadership and discovery. Whatever variation you choose, these conversations become sacred places for God’s grace, acceptance, encouragement for his servants.
As scripture says, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, bear one another’s burdens, and cast our anxieties upon the God of all comfort who cares for us as we comfort others.” (Hebrews 10:24; Galatians 6:2; 1 Peter 5:7; 2 Corinthians 1: 3,4)
Leaders-Who-Last-10-22-15
Leaders-Who-Last-10-22-15 eformat
Feel free to give feedback on the original survey link which is still active for topic and question input. https://goo.gl/8KquCJ