How to Overcome Overload
H. Dale Burke
October 1, 2002
As we slipped into the booth for lunch, the young pastor of a growing Gen-X ministry dumped his frustration. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I feel buried by all the stuff of ministry. I went into ministry to teach the Word—that's my passion—but I'm not getting to my sermon prep until Friday at best, sometimes Saturday. I never seem to have time to plan ahead, meet with my key leaders, or envision our next steps."
God was blessing this man's efforts, but he was frustrated, not fulfilled. His Sundays were exciting, but Monday through Friday quickly filled with appointments, counseling sessions, phone calls, and administration. His inbox overflowed with e-mail and voice mail, some from fans and others from critics. His week flew by before he knew what had happened.
He could tell it also frustrated his wife. She was committed to their ministry, but the routine was growing old. They both began to wonder, Is this the way ministry will be for the rest of our lives? Could we find a way to juggle the demands of ministry and family, so that both stay healthy, growing, and fun?
He was experiencing the downside of success. Success can kill you.
Any leader who experiences the blessing of success will soon feel buried unless he learns how to manage the growing demands on his time and to protect the important from the urgent.
Most leaders respond by praying harder, working harder, then staying longer to get it all done. But that doesn't solve the problem. I am convinced there is a better way. God desires healthy servant-leaders to lead healthy ministries.
Our epitaph should never read,
Died … buried and behind,
with a widow, some kids and grandkids,
who love and miss him,
but not the life he lived.
As I listened to my young friend, I remembered ...
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