What to do when your church is facing a crisis.

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The Church Consultants are able to assist a church through crisis situations. Their experience
and understanding of the various situations within the church that can harm ministry are
invaluable. Find out what are some of the crises that are dealt with by churches and how to deal
with them.
http://thechurchconsultants.com
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It is Rev. Chuck Clarence's first day on the job at New Peaceful Rest Church. He is the new
pastor. Things started off good. However, things slowly deteriorated over the weeks ahead. The
trustee board removed Rev. Clarence's computer from his office. The deacon board began
attacking his character during business meetings. The choir started walking out on his sermons. It
was now a war zone. The church's mission was to save lost souls, yet it was now Rev. Clarence's
soul that needed to be saved.
The Difficult Problem
How do today's pastors avoid burnout with their demanding jobs? Expectations for pastors
continue to rise as churches attempt to apply secular standards to religious organizations.
Trustees want to use management by objectives to produce high performance organizations. In
fact, church members want to evaluate the pastor's performance on secular criteria such as
membership growth, financial increase, and the organization's influence in local politics and
communities. These new demands are accelerating the departure of pastors. Over the years,
many churchgoers have forgotten or ignored the respect due to today's shepherd. Hebrew 13:7
states, "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of
God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation." Pastor firings, congregational
conflicts, and society's expectations of religious institutions are placing today's pastors at a
disadvantage. Pastors are increasingly getting burnout. Joseph Tolbert, pastor of Foster Chapel
Church, has been in the ministry since 1997 and has shepherded over three years. He maintains
that some burnout is due to a lack of clear focus: "We need to understand that the ministry is
bigger than us. Some people lose focus and get burned out." Disruptive forces are wrecking havoc
on America's churches. Can effective preachers afford to be burned out and lose their God given
focus?
The Burnout Factors
According to a 1984 study on forced terminations in the Southern Baptist Convention, 1056
pastors were being terminated annually. In fact, 72,000 pastors were fired across America in 1999.
According to PastorCare Network, the vocational life of a pastor has gone from 20 years (1980) to
14 years (1995). In fact, 50% of pastors who work fulltime quit in five years.
What causes pastor burnout? Burnout is defined as a mental condition that involves long-term
exhaustion and diminished interest in a work task or occupation. There are a variety of things such
as personal conflict that would create an unhealthy environment. According to PastorCare

2. Network, 90% of pastors work more than 46 hours per week, and 75% of pastors surveyed report
a significant stress-related crisis at least once a month. Richard S. Brown Jr., pastor of the Payne
Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, has seen what burnout can do to a minister.
Being a son of a prominent pastor in his area, Brown sees how the demands of shepherding a
flock can frustrate a pastor. Brown explains, "We [pastors] don't take care of ourselves. Our
ministries can lose energy. If we are not focused, we can lose sight of the Lord." Dean Hoge and
Jacqueline Wenger, authors of Pastors in Transition: Why Clergy Leave Local Church Ministry,
found the following common issues emerging: (a) preference for a different type of ministry, (b) the
need to focus more on family, (c) conflict in the congregation, (d) conflict with denominational
leaders, (e) burnout or discouragement, (f) sexual misconduct, and (g) marital problems. These
signals mark an emergence of a more selfish society where "What have you done for me lately?"
is the proverbial theme. Many followers don't understand the physical, mental, and spiritual
demands of shepherding a congregation as long as their spiritual welfare is addressed. The
following pastoral strategies should be considered to avoid burnout:
Understand your personal needs as it relates to body, mind, and spirit.
Develop a personal support network. Sadly, 70% of the clergymen surveyed said they do not have
a close friend.
Set aside time for meditation, bible study, and devotion to strengthening your spirituality.
Find capable leaders in your church where you can delegate activities.
Develop a regular exercise routine and eat right for your health.
Use church conflict for growth opportunities. Don't take things too personal.
Determine to keep a positive attitude even in the midst of confusion.
A Positive Future
Today's pastors must rethink how they care for their physical and spiritual welfare. Great American
Thomas Paine once said, "The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain
too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man
that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow." This article highlighted
that today's pastors face sever challenges, but they can prevent burnout by implementing personal
strategies for securing rest and renewal. If pastors want to survive the hectic pace of today's living,
then something must change. Can churches move ahead without good shepherds?
I have my doubts---biblically speaking. Hebrews 10:14 states, "How shall they believe in Him of
whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" Therefore, pastors
have a divine mission to carry out their calling. However, they must be both diligent and careful as
it relates to avoiding burnout. Former pastor Robert McGee of Foster Chapel Church maintains
burnout is just part of the job. McGee has the distinction of being at the same church for over 40
years. McGee says, "All pastors at some point get burned out because of the nature of the work

3. spiritually." With the increase of resignations and terminations in America, pastors need to take an
active part in developing strategies that promote their healthy body, mind, and spirit. Therefore,
pastors do not have to be victims of burnout; they can be proactive and champions of their own
well-being.
Daryl D. Green, who is an international business strategist, has over 19 years of management
experience, dealing with a variety of million-dollar projects. He is considered one of the savviest
emerging writers of his generation. Mr. Green is a nationally syndicated columnist, the author of
several books, and has had more than 100 articles published globally. He has been noted and
quoted by USA Today and Associated Press. Get a copy of his ebook, Book Publishing for
Professionals on http://www.lulu.com or contact him on http://www.darylgreen.org
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daryl_Green
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The Church Consultants are able to assist a church through crisis situations. Their experience
and understanding of the various situations within the church that can harm ministry are
invaluable. Find out what are some of the crises that are dealt with by churches and how to deal
with them.
http://thechurchconsultants.com
==== ====