“Are you tired? You know… weary in well-doing? Do the ministries you helped create, now seem to bog you down? Do the things that once made you excited now make you exhausted?
If so… you’re not alone.
Wayne Cordeiro writes in his new book ‘Leading on Empty‘:
‘For over thirty years my drive for excellence propelled me. It wasn’t that I was compulsive; I simply had a deep desire to do my best. I drove hard on all cylinders, not realizing that being an entrepreneur means that everything you initiate, by default you must add to your maintenance list…
…Slowly, the unwelcome symptoms began to surface. Ministry because more arduous. My daily tasks seemed unending, and e-mails began to stack up. People I deeply cared about became problems to be avoided, and deliberating about new vision no longer stirred my soul.
Although I never doubted my calling and gifting, what began as a joy that filled me now became a load that drained me. But I didn’t know where I could trim. People were coming to Christ and lives were being changed. How could all this be wrong?
Decisions — even small ones — seemed to paralyze me. Gradually my creativity began to flag and I found it easier to imitate rather than innovate. I was backing away from the very things that used to challenge and invigorate me.’
Wayne writes extensively about his moment of truth in ministry…
It literally has changed his ministry.’ In his new book, Leading on Empty, Wayne diagnoses a problem that is wide-spread among church leaders:’ burnout.’ He tells his story, and encourages pastors to learn from him and many leaders from the Bible who experienced burnout.’ Leaders like Elijah, and Moses, and David.
If you think you’re the only leader that wonders how he can continue at the same pace, you’re not.’ And if you think you can lead uninterrupted with vision and passion for year after year without a break, you’re wrong.
How’s your energy level?’ Do you need a break?’ Do you need to re-charge?’ Might I suggest one way to do so is to pick up Wayne’s book and learn from it.’ He will give you some great insight on how to lead well, and, best of all, how to FINISH well.”
(Via MMI Weblog)
I recently purchased this book and cannot wait to get started. My reading list is growing. I better block off some reading time in my iCal. That will be the next thing I do…