Burnout in Churches and Christian Faith-Based Organisations
Burnout is a “syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment that can occur among individuals who work with people in some capacity (Maslach 1996:193). This definition, whilst helpful, fails to convey the potentially life-shattering impact that burnout can have, as described in the words of ‘Peter’, a Christian leader who contributed to this guidance.
Burnout is a “syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment that can occur among individuals who work with people in some capacity (Maslach 1996:193).
This definition, whilst helpful, fails to convey the potentially life-shattering impact that burnout can have, as described in the words of ‘Peter’, a Christian leader who contributed to this guidance.
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Introduction<br />
The focus of this guidance is burnout, a work-based phenomenon that can affect leaders <strong>in</strong> any<br />
organisation, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g <strong>Churches</strong> <strong>and</strong> other <strong>Christian</strong> faith-based organisations.<br />
<strong>Burnout</strong> is a “syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization <strong>and</strong> reduced personal<br />
accomplishment that can occur among <strong>in</strong>dividuals who work with people <strong>in</strong> some capacity (Maslach<br />
1996:193).<br />
This def<strong>in</strong>ition, whilst helpful, fails to convey the potentially life-shatter<strong>in</strong>g impact that burnout can<br />
have, as described <strong>in</strong> the words of ‘Peter’, a <strong>Christian</strong> leader who contributed to this guidance.<br />
It was only when the Doctors said stop, I stopped. I didn’t<br />
realise the depths of my stress, anxiety, <strong>and</strong> burnout until I<br />
stopped work<strong>in</strong>g. I was broken <strong>and</strong> exhausted. After stopp<strong>in</strong>g<br />
from work, I collapsed <strong>and</strong> was not able to do anyth<strong>in</strong>g. Even<br />
go<strong>in</strong>g to the shops was an achievement for me. I struggled<br />
sleep<strong>in</strong>g but when I could sleep it gave me a break from<br />
the stress. It became normal for me to be distant from my<br />
family, <strong>and</strong> not eat with them. I isolated myself to protect my<br />
family as I did not want them to see me <strong>in</strong> this pa<strong>in</strong> <strong>and</strong> felt<br />
a burden to them. I felt if I was around them I would make<br />
them miserable <strong>and</strong> would not want my family to see me like<br />
this, so I took myself off to cry. I felt I was <strong>in</strong> emotional pa<strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> it hurt.<br />
<strong>Burnout</strong> should be a concern to all of us lead<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>Churches</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Christian</strong> faith-based organisations.<br />
As <strong>in</strong>dividuals, we are called to love our neighbour <strong>and</strong> none of us should be prepared to witness the<br />
personal damage that high levels of stress <strong>and</strong> burnout causes a brother or sister. As organisations,<br />
we have a duty of care for staff <strong>and</strong> volunteers, even more so given we generally espouse values that<br />
express a regard for people. It is essential that this is reflected <strong>in</strong> how staff <strong>and</strong> volunteers are treated.<br />
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