Ministry is one of the most rewarding callings, but it is also one of the most challenging. The non-stop pace, the weight of responsibility, and the emotional and spiritual burdens can wear even the most passionate leader down. There’s a reason most pastors last only five to seven years in ministry, and children’s and youth pastors often only two to three years. Many start with fire and passion but quickly find themselves burned out, discouraged, and questioning their calling.

If you want to not only survive but thrive in ministry for the long haul, you have to learn how to make the tough choices that will help you endure beyond the week-to-week grind. The lessons I share here are not from someone who has always done everything right, but from someone who has learned these truths the hard way. I am a minister who walks with an invisible limp, who has felt the sting of ministry, who has come close to being burned and has walked through the fire of burnout. I have stepped away, recalibrated, and returned to ministry stronger, wiser, and healthier.

Here are seven lessons I have learned that can help you sustain your ministry without losing your soul, your family, or your joy.

Log in with your Starter Membership to access the full article and download a PDF to share!

Continue reading with your FREE Starter Membership! Join today!