I've exchanged a few emails in the last couple of weeks with Anne Jackson, host of FlowerDust (she's not blogging during Lent by the way) and author of Mad Church Disease: Overcoming the Burnout Epidemic. One of the things I asked her was if she thought introverted pastors and leaders were more susceptible to ministry burnout. She said no, that burnout can inflict people of all personalities and backgrounds, but I still find myself wondering whether introverts are in greater danger. My sense, and experience, is that we need to exercise greater caution and vigilance in self-care, because ministry is such a socially demanding enterprise. Extroverts, even without proper self-care, may be able to survive an intense period of ministry because of the way their energy flows towards people and experiences. But if introverts lack self-understanding and disciplines to protect themselves, that same stretch of ministry might kill them.
What do you think?
By the way, Anne's book is very engaging, funny, and helpful. She's a great writer and has wonderful insight into ministry, spiritual disciplines, and relationships. And she's an introvert.
I think that introverts in ministry are much more susceptible to burnout than extroverts in ministry. I say this as an introvert who is in full time collegiate ministry. My team includes three introverts and three extroverts. The introverts are in a constant struggle to figure out how to do this "job" or live this lifestyle within the boundaries needed to keep us functioning. Rest and boundaries are big issues that we are still trying to figure out. I don't see my extroverted staff teammates tending toward burnout nearly as much as the introverts. It is a difficult situation for us, especially in a job that is all about people.
ReplyDeleteI'm not in any official ministry positions, but I think that while introverts may be more susceptible to burnout, our introspective nature might allow us to recognize burnout when it happens a lot better than extroverts. And recognizing it is the first step to recovery.
ReplyDeleteI just discovered this blog and I'm loving all the resources and wisdom for introverts in the church. I actually started my own blog for introverts in the church at http://churchofintroverts.blogspot.com I'm sure I'll be directing lots of introverts over to this site! :)
I think that introverts in ministry are much more susceptible to burnout than extroverts in ministry. I say this as an introvert who is in full time collegiate ministry. My team includes three introverts and three extroverts. The introverts are in a constant struggle to figure out how to do this "job" or live this lifestyle within the boundaries needed to keep us functioning. Rest and boundaries are big issues that we are still trying to figure out. I don't see my extroverted staff teammates tending toward burnout nearly as much as the introverts. It is a difficult situation for us, especially in a job that is all about people.
ReplyDeleteI'm not in any official ministry positions, but I think that while introverts may be more susceptible to burnout, our introspective nature might allow us to recognize burnout when it happens a lot better than extroverts. And recognizing it is the first step to recovery.
ReplyDeleteI just discovered this blog and I'm loving all the resources and wisdom for introverts in the church. I actually started my own blog for introverts in the church at http://churchofintroverts.blogspot.com I'm sure I'll be directing lots of introverts over to this site! :)