Welcome to The Church Cares!
I am hopeful this forum will be open to those of us who have been hurt by church or organized religion. I have been in ministry for a long time and when I experienced legitimate burn out and took a sabbatical so I could attend biblical counseling and focus on Jesus, my church friends did not gather round me but quietly complained about me and slowly walked away from me. Only a handful are still my friends. This was spring of 2023 and I am still grieving this result from my burn out. It’s like they only loved me for what I could provide to them.
@chromiumkid Thank you for sharing this. Your story is near and dear to my heart, and it’s something I believe needs to be discussed more openly in Christian circles. Burnout, especially in ministry, is such a real struggle, and it’s painful to see the lack of support that sometimes comes when we need it most.
What are some insights or tips you’d recommend for others facing similar experiences? And if you could offer any advice for churches or friends supporting those going through burnout, what would that look like? I think many of us could benefit from learning how to handle this with more compassion and understanding.