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Jill's avatar

I have been in campus/young adult ministry for 15 years, which came to a screeching halt earlier this year, when I was laid off. While the circumstances of the layoff were personally demoralizing, it also came as a relief, as I was feeling incredibly burnt out. I was in full time ministry with a Catholic organization, and to be a Catholic woman in ministry is to be constantly underestimated. It. Is. Exhausting. First of all, the mental gymnastics required to show up within the clerical, misogynist system that is The Catholic Church. For good, or for ill, there are life-giving elements, but it requires willful ignorance/dismissal of the life-draining parts. The layoff was something of a blessing in disguise: pre-pandemic, my plans were to take some time off, create a sort of ‘sabbatical’ space to reimagine my future, and whether or not I want to continue on the path of ministry. I’m grateful to have this time away from ‘doing’ ministry, though a sabbatical in the shadow of a pandemic does not allow for much rest or creative thinking.

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Janelle's avatar

So fascinating. I also found myself wondering about more Evangelical/charismatic forms for burnout since that is the denomination I grew up in. I grew up Assemblies of God which is part of Pentecostalism. While there are colleges and seminaries that cater to the denomination that really only became a thing in the last 50 years or so. I can remember my mother saying that when she decided to go to a 4 year liberal arts college some people at her church thought that was a waste of time. The reason for this has to do with the belief in the power of the Holy Spirit. These churches deeply believe that anyone can be "called" to preach the word and can even be pre-disposed to not trust higher learning institutions but instead rely on the spirit of God speaking to you and that being enough education. (which of course can lead to a whole other set of problems. Although I do appreciate the root of this idea; that God can speak through anyone no matter their education level)

So as far as burnout I would imagine debt is less of an issue for these pastors since many of them may not have gone to seminary or competed a 4 year degree. Having said that I know the pastor of my parents church has a second job as that is what enables him to have health insurance. Their church is small but the ones that are there are definitely devoted.

I went to a liberal arts Christian college but most of my friends didn't go into any kind of full or part time ministry (most of them left the church completely to be honest) Anyway I wonder how burnout is manifesting itself for those types of pastors. I would imagine aside from the debt it's the same issues compounded by the stress of pastoring congregations that are susceptible to believing Q Anon theories, not wearing masks and basically anything else this President says.

As always great to read!

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