If you are in leadership, especially the role of pastoring/shepherding God’s people, let’s be clear, it is a beautiful yet difficult calling. The possibility of burnout is very real. There are so many facets to your role, in fact, you are probably taking care of things you never imagined you would be doing.
When you answered the call to enter the ministry as a pastor, you probably envisioned studying the Scriptures, preaching the Scriptures, sharing the gospel with others, evangelizing the lost, praying for revival in your church, watching people’s lives be healed, seeing marriages restored, baptizing people every week as they make confessions of faith. And I pray that that is the case (I actually just prayed that for you).
For some of you, however, different necessities started to creep into your calling. Questions such as rent or buy? Need volunteers or employees? New roof? New A/C unit? New sound equipment? New chairs? What time do we meet? How many services? And the list goes on and on and on. Now, none of this is bad. They are simply tasks that need to be taken care of. And then more things start getting piled up. You see the marriage fall apart. You see the child turn away from the faith. You see the death of a young person. You see the family leave the church. This is tough stuff! You celebrate the joys of your church, but you also carry the weight of the sorrows of your church. And that is a tough burden to carry.
As I share that, I think of how much I respect the way you have answered the call of God on your life. It’s no wonder Paul tells the Thessalonians to “honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work” (1 Thessalonians 5:12). And then Hebrews 3:17 tells us, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.” It truly is a beautiful calling. But again, it is one where the possibility of burnout is very real. It is a calling that desperately requires you to honor the Sabbath and renew and refresh your own walk with Christ.
Pete Wilson is the founding pastor of Cross Point Church in Nashville Tennessee. He recently announced to his church that he would be resigning as lead pastor.
I think the best thing for Cross Point is for me to step aside. And so I’m resigning as the pastor of Cross Point. I can’t thank you all enough for trusting me, for allowing me to be a part of your lives. You’ve trusted me in some very intimate moments—from the loss of loved ones to your weddings to praying with you for healing or for your marriage or for the child you long for—so thank you for allowing me to be a part of those journeys with you.
Keep in mind, Pete Wilson is a devoted follower of Christ who planted this church 14 years ago. Since the plant, it has grown to reach more than 7,000 people each weekend. Why did Pete step down? He said he needed to step down due to exhaustion and brokenness.
And now, more than ever before—I really need your prayers and I need your support. We’ve said that this is a church where it’s okay to not be okay, and I’m not okay. I’m tired. And I’m broken and I just need some rest. I love you all; I love the vision of this church more today than I ever have. I believe in the elders of this church, I believe in the leaders of this church. I believe they have a good handle on this situation moving forward. I trust them. I love them deeply.
This is monumental in so many ways. Number one, he decided to step down because he was exhausted and broken. I then think of other church leaders. How are they doing? I think of you. How are you doing? Are you exhausted? Are you broken? Please, allow me to exhort you to take some time and examine your life. Are you being refreshed in God’s Word for the sake of your soul, not just the sake of your ministry? Are you resting in God on the Sabbath, or is just a day off work? Stepping away from your church may not be possible for you at this point. So, some other ideas are to take a few days or week of a vacation. Not able to take a vacation? Take a day, go to a park, and spend time in God’s Word and presence and in prayer. Don’t go through this process alone. Get with your spouse, your friend, another pastor and really dig into this area. Keep in mind, the threat of burnout is real.
Number two, I see this as monumental because Pete had that strength, confidence, and faith in Christ to consider this option, decide on this option, and then move forward with stepping down from a ministry that is impacting thousands of lives. I don’t know what led to Pete’s exhaustion and brokenness, but I do see that this move to step down from this ministry was done in humility and in service to Christ. If he were looking to make a name for himself he would have stayed and sought his own interests. He didn’t. He prayed. He heard. He obeyed.
I am so thankful for the example of Pete Wilson in his passion and dream to begin Cross Point, his example in leadership, and then his willingness to submit to Christ and step down as the pastor of Cross Point. We wish Pete the best and we hope and pray that you, as the pastor of your church, would learn from this and look into your own lives and make sure that you are being refreshed in the Word and renewed in His presence. Rest is a critical component to our lives, and I hope we all find our rest in Him alone.
As a side note, I just read that Pete is doing great. He recently accepted a position in a firm that seeks to help churches reach the next generation. I think he’s had some pretty good experience and success in this area!
