Seven Reasons Pastors Burn Out

Some pastors burn out but don’t get out.

The financial pressure to keep a job often keeps men in the ministry when it is really time to get out and find another job.

Know that; been there.

Friends are few and far between. Time off in a county seat town church is rare. Bullies who know the pastor “can’t fight back” are on the warpath. Their numbers are increasing.

It is a hard day for young pastor. Bi-vo is the way to go.

If the pastor has to leave, at least he has a job and his own home. Also, it is a new awakening to “work” at a job every day like we ask our church members to do and still support the church.

I spent 17 1/2 years in two county seat town churches ( both First Baptist). However, at the end of the second one, I was “burned out.”. Two men, in particular, were the worst bullies I have ever seen. They were devilishly relentless.

I promised God if He would give me a “job”, I would “stay” in the ministry as a bi-vo.
I had to return to school and acquire an M.A. in my undergraduate field. But, I got a job.

I have worked at that job 23 years continuous and have been blessed being in a “one-horse church” and being the “one horse.”

A word to younger pastors: develop a money-making skill you can do either as a bi-vo pastor or be prepared to “retool” in the event of being thrown out of a full-support church.

So many church people today are merciless. They will toss a pastor out when he has no place to go with no severance pay. The…