Don’t Blow Up Your Ministry - with Michael MacKenzie

We talk with Michael MacKenzie to find out why so many pastors burn out and how we can care for our pastors and ministry leaders. Michael is the clinical director of Marble Retreat, a Colorado retreat centre that specializes in ministry to pastors and ministry leaders in crisis. His book, ‘Don’t Blow Up Your Ministry - Defuse the underlying issues that take pastors down’ is published by IVP America. (1:20) Why pastors are blowing up their ministries; (1:42) Why pastors should recognize their brokenness; (3:00) Churches putting unrealistic expectations on their pastors; (3:47) Toxic ministries and churches; (5:40) Knowing your strengths and weaknesses in ministry; (7:27) Abusive church environments; (8:52) Issues of depression or addiction; (10:25) Advice for pastors who suffer from depression; (11:34) Why pastors commit suicide; (14:10) The NZ context; (15:10) Performance pressure; (16:37) How pastors can care for themselves and how churches can care for pastors; (19:16) Why pastors are ‘workaholics’; (22:00) The need for grace; (23:15) How we can love and support our pastors; (24:50) Setting boundaries in ministry; (27:40) Warning signs of burnout. Links mentioned in this episode: www.ivpress.com https://marbleretreat.org https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Blow-Your-Ministry-Underlying/dp/0830841687/ Leave some feedback: What should we talk about? Please let us know in the comments. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please give us a rating and leave a short review. Connect with us: [email protected] godsstorypodcast.com