Leaders are burning out. Pastors, Elders, Leaders in Church and Business are crumbling under the weight of each succeeding wave. Leaders in the secular and Ministry world share increasing pressure and are caving in at an alarming rate. We look to consultants to fine-tune our skills, teach us new coping mechanisms and give us the rules and techniques to lead. Yet, our world is changing faster than we have time to write the rules.
We have seen and felt the burnout symptoms: irritability, restlessness, compulsive overworking, emotional numbness, frustration with people, feeling exhausted, the joy has disappeared. The fun is gone. No Attachment; the Vision has disappeared. We easily snap, lose our cool with friends, family or people in the church. We question our Calling and see slippage in our spiritual habits.
Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you.” (Exodus 18:17-22 NIV)
Our solution is not following the national papers, the periodicals or the multitude of email quotes and forwards that we all receive. The solution is to look to biblical leaders, learn from their successes and challenges, and then pray the Lord will fill our hearts with love, caring and dedication to serve on the job each and every day.
Leadership is … partnering, sharing and leading passionately, with your heart focused on God.
Yours in Service,
Laurie D. Kennedy
Leadership Coach
Jethro Group
ldkjethrogroup@gmail.com