On the last Thursday of the month we like to feature a person in ministry’s personal testimony of personal burnout. This month of March, Elijah’s Tree is featuring Greg Stone. He is the staff Director for Shelterwood Academy, a former Area Director for Young Life in Branson, Missouri, was a mentor to me for my time in Branson, and I still consider Greg a person of wisdom and a good friend. Please enjoy his testimony below.
“I had been doing outreach youth ministry with Young Life in a new community. I worked with unchurched teens, churched teens who were lukewarm in their faith, kids with plenty, and kids with no home life. I would be away from home most evenings going to ballgames, practices, McDonalds–wherever teens hung out. At first it was thrilling and rewarding, but after time I grew tired and frustrated with the lack of change in the kids I worked with. I also was training and working with college students and young adults who were also reaching out to teens, but I felt the responsibility of building into these folks as well. Who poured into me? I tried to find mentors but everyone was too busy. Finally, I came to a place where I had to do something or risk total burnout. So I created boundaries of space where I would stay home a certain number of evenings each week, do monthly spiritual retreats where I got away and enjoyed nature, and spent time on the phone with other youth workers getting their perspective and wisdom. All these efforts helped me regain my footing and reminded me I’m a follower of Jesus FIRST and then a minister to others THROUGH HIM.” – Greg Stone
Thanks for your testimony Greg. The steps you took to combat burnout are important and I hope everyone either set, or is learning to set similar boundaries that will protect them as well. If you have a personal testimony that you would like to share, click the contact tab and email me. Also, if you enjoy our blog, or are interested in supporting ministers facing stress and burnout, feel free to click the donate tab. Finally, I would like to encourage everyone to sign up for our eNews letter starting later in April. We hope to hear from you soon!