I came close to burnout in 2017.
It was my first year as managing editor of a group of newspapers. At my church, Wesley Methodist Church (WMC), I was serving as the Chairperson of Communications, facilitating the Companions in Christ spiritual formation course for the first time, and leading the church’s Bible Reading Drive. On top of that, the charity I co-founded demanded more of my attention.
Adding to the pressure were family concerns, particularly my mother’s failing health. I longed for her to come to Christ and time was running short. My third sister was also pestering me to focus on my pre-believing siblings’ salvation.
By the start of 2018, I knew something had to change.
In January that year, I went on a silent retreat at Seven Fountains in Chiang Mai with one pressing question for God: “Lord, I am overwhelmed by work for the three Cs—company, church and charity. Which C should I give up?”
Not knowing what I was seeking, my spiritual director gave me two Bible passages:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)
“Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes … But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.’” (Luke 12:22-31 NIV)
Meditating on these verses, I sensed God speaking to me and telling me to prioritise his kingdom above my career.
On the second night, I had a vivid dream of meeting my ex-CEO. He told me that my resignation had already been announced.
I replied, “If that’s the case, I will leave the company.” I next met a colleague who said the same thing. At that moment, I woke up.
Upon returning to Singapore, I submitted my resignation.
The decision was not easy. I was still four or five years away from retirement age. My job had provided not just an income but also a strong sense of identity and achievement. My wife and I were uncertain whether our savings would be enough for the years ahead. We chose to trust God.
In March 2018, I stepped into a new season of life. After more than 30 years of climbing the corporate ladder, I finally decided to “let go and let God” and surrender my worries to him.
Church volunteer burnout is real
Today, burnout is increasingly common. Sean Nemecek, author of The Weary Leader’s Guide to Burnout1, suggests four warning signs: emotional and physical fatigue, a diminished sense of accomplishment, loss of identity and a feeling of hopelessness. Looking back, I see how easily I could have drifted that way.
I have continued serving God in church ministry as a volunteer. Along the way, God has taught me three important lessons about avoiding burnout and serving him joyfully.
1. Fix your eyes on Jesus
Hebrews 12:1b-2 (NIV) reminds us to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
Burnout often begins when we take on responsibilities that were never ours to bear. Not every need I see is a calling for me. Not every opportunity is an assignment from God. Part of my spiritual maturity is learning what God has called me to do, and equally important, what he has not called me to do.
Not every need I see is a calling for me. Not every opportunity is an assignment from God. Part of my spiritual maturity is learning what God has called me to do, and equally important, what he has not called me to do.
I have learnt I am not the saviour—only our Lord Jesus can save. A pastor’s sermon years ago challenged me to recognise what is sometimes called a “messiah complex”—the belief that everything depends on us. Rather than trying to save the world on our own, we must humbly embrace a supporting role and depend entirely on Jesus.
It also means learning to let go. Every ministry belongs to God, not to me. I am just someone God called to a specific task for a specific season. For each of my church ministry leadership roles, I have intentionally identified successors and gladly handed the reins over to those whom God raised up.
2. Trust God to equip
Over the years, I have learnt not to run ahead of God but to wait for him to lead step by step. Although I may have had a rough sense of direction, God has seldom revealed the entire journey at the start. Instead, he has given me enough light to walk in obedience. With each step, I grew stronger in faith.
When God calls, he will “equip you with everything good for doing his will, and … work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:21 NIV). I have worked on projects which seemed beyond my ability. These led me to pray and rely on God more. When the task was successfully completed, I knew without a doubt that it was not my ability but God working in and through me.
3. Trust God to provide resources and a community
Moses would have burned out but for the wise counsel of his father-in-law Jethro (Exodus 18:13-27).2 Faced with overwhelming demands, Moses was advised by Jethro to delegate responsibility to able men who feared God. The early church practised the same principle when the apostles appointed seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom to share their burden (Acts 6:1-6).
The Body of Christ is made up of many members, each serving according to their spiritual gifts, each carrying one another’s burdens, while fixing their eyes on Jesus. Whenever God entrusted me with a ministry assignment, he also raised up brothers and sisters to serve alongside me. Again and again, I have seen him provide the right people at the right time.
The Body of Christ is made up of many members, each serving according to their spiritual gifts, each carrying one another’s burdens, while fixing their eyes on Jesus.
As LCEC Chairperson, I have 37 brothers and sisters in Christ working alongside me. My job is not to micro-manage the ministries they oversee but to use my gifts appropriately and in areas where I am needed. We have a working tagline for the LCEC: All for One, One for All, and All for God!
Joyfully resting in God’s faithfulness
I am deeply grateful for God’s faithfulness since my retirement. Most importantly, I have learnt to trust God with my need rather than worry about it.
My mother eventually accepted Christ in September 2017 and was called home in February 2018. Being able to spend more time with her in her final days remains one of God’s greatest gifts to me.
Since I retired, three siblings have come to faith. What I did was simply to bring them to church for Easter and Christmas services and other special programmes. My co-workers in church chipped in and the Holy Spirit did the convicting.
I am now 71 years old and many of my corporate achievements have faded into history. What matters most to me now is my walk with God, my lovely family and the opportunities he continues to give to serve him with joy!
