In continuation of Mark Driscoll’s series, “Death By Ministry,” this week the focus is the cause of stress. Driscoll lists 43 causes of stress for pastors and leaders. This list is extrapolated from the book, “Time Bomb and The Church.” This book was written by a guy who’s dad was a pastor and burnt out by the role.
I am not a pastor or a leader, but I take note of these things cause if I was in such a position one day, the last thing I want to do is burn out. Having said that, I am responsible for a number of ministries at church and at times, burnout is within my radar. I encourage any pastor, leader or ministry volunteer to plug into this series. Below then is the list of stress causers..
- Marriage
- Troubles with boss
- Detention in jail or other institution
- Death of spouse
- Major change in sleeping habits
- Death of a close family member
- Major change in eating habits (amount of food or change in meal hours)
- Foreclosure on a loan
- Revision of personal habits (dress, manners, associations, etc.)
- Death of a close friend
- Minor violation of the law
- Outstanding personal achievement
- Pregnancy
- Major change in the health of a family member
- Sexual difficulties
- In-law troubles
- Major change in number of family get-togethers
- Major change in financial status
- Gaining a new family member
- Change in residence
- Child leaving home
- Marital separation
- Major change in church activities
- Marital reconciliation
- Being fired from work
- Divorce
- Changing to a different line of work
- Major change in the number of arguments with spouse
- Major change in responsibilities at work
- Wife beginning or ceasing work outside the home
- Major change in working hours or conditions
- Major change in usual type or amount of recreation
- Taking on a mortgage
- Taking on other major loans
- Major personal injury or illness
- Major business readjustment
- Major change in social activities
- Major change in living conditions
- Retirement from work
- Vacation
- Christmas
- Changing to a new school
- Beginning or ceasing formal schooling
My antidote against stress and burnout is the following scripture…
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
I have not perfected this at all and many times, I go ahead on my own strength - only rushing towards burnout. As I mature (lol - there’s a thought provoking idea) I aim to abide more in Jesus - I just want to figure what that really means without all the cliché and feelings of self righteousness. Abiding in Christ is more than reading a tacky devotional or praying a mantra. I’ll be sure to blog about it when I figure it out.
In the mean time, you can view Driscoll’s latest message below.
Tags: Mark Driscoll, Death By Ministry, The Resurgence, Ministry
Wow what a list. Unfortunately many have those have happened in my life! I’m so sick and tired of doing it on my own in life that i have no where to go but Jesus, and without being medicated that is even quite hard for me- to be focused enough to be consistent with going to Jesus.
I am going to listen to this one with my husband if we can get the change to do it together.
Yeap, stress is non discriminatory in it’s reality. Hope you and JJ enjoyed this series from a Pastor I appreciate highly. Driscoll tells it like it is.
Still haven’t gotton to listen to it with JJ because we have had company. will see if I can load it to podcast before we take off on a road trip.
I suggest that you do a wee study of astrology; just to see where it takes you. Try to figure out what the phrase “divinity pulsates through the known universe” means.
Alice Baileys esoteric astrology is not a good place to start maybe, but it is immense. If you would like to combine the macrocosm and the microcosm - i.e. walk as one with god, in sync, astrology will not do it for you but it will help.
It is not, i don’t think, the devil!
Are there any references to astrology in the bible? as above, so below maybe?
Peas and Loaf
Hi Claire,
Respectfully, I couldn’t give a flying monkey in regards to astrology. No offense but astrology the way it is practiced these days is occultic in nature.
In ancient times, it was different and actually told the story of the Gospel. For example, Leo represents that Christ was of the line of Judah. Virgo stood for Christ’s virgin birth. Gemini represented the contrast between Christ’s first visit to earth and His second.
The enemy of God saw how much potential the zodiac had for mankind to see God’s plan of redemption and warped it into what we have today.