Burnout is real...

Why are talking about burnout before we even have our first practice service?  Because if we don't prepare for it...it will happen.  This past year Angie and I have had the joy of visiting many churches and talking to many church pastors of all kinds of different churches.  One thing I hear from every church planter & perhaps even more from their volunteers is that burnout is real. 

Something that I've appreciated is having a day where I spend eight hours doing hospice chaplaincy work, show-up at my son's Boy Scouts meeting, and then have a church event that night.  Why? Because that is what we as church leaders ask you to do all the time!

We are committed to leading a church that doesn't burn people out.  Recently I talked to a lady who was a part of a church plant in Gemini Elementary School (she would only tell me it was many years ago).  She served faithfully as a volunteer for a long time, but got burned out and they left the church.  It wasn't long after that church plant ended up closing and for this individual who truly loves Jesus it is has been hard to commit to a church again.  

We get it! 

So many people who we talked to have been hurt by the church.  Angie and I aren't perfect, but we are committed to leading a church that won't burn people out.  Jesus modeled a high level of commitment while also finding the proper time for rest for Him and His disciples.

We also know that burnout can come from more than just the church.  You are all dealing with...life!  

A recent blog from Life.Church reminded me that:

Many times the battles that we fight are in our minds.  

And where burnout is concerned, it's a vicious cycle: burnout weakens our minds, and fatigue in the mind can bring on burnout.

To stave off burnout-induced emotions like irritability, apathy, and low self-esteem, we must be mentally tough.

Creating efficient processes, delegating decisions, focusing on the positive, learning tools for planning and concentration—these can all help us be mentally strong. But first, let's look to Jesus.

Renew your mind.

When we talk about exerting mental effort, remember all that strength doesn’t have to come from us. Mental toughness isn’t just about thinking more or working smarter or digging deeper—it’s about letting God inspire, quicken, and renew our minds.

Strengthen your mind.

Now, once we're asking God to fill us with 'power, love, and a sound mind,' let's do what we can do physically to keep our minds clear, ordered, and calm.

Pastor Craig has developed the discipline of saying declarations every day that bring him mental toughness based on what Christ says about him.

You can also walk through the Bible reading plan from Levi Lusko called "I Declare War" and learn how to win the battle in your mind.

We started with about $12,000 of saved money in the bank to spend on what we need to start services.  As I look at the numbers about half of our giving each month comes directly from the Evangelical Covenant Church denomination, we get about 25% from outside support (Ohio, California, Virginia, Ireland, Greece, etc.), and now about 25% from local support (and we do have some families already giving generously).  Obviously over the next year we will see 75% of our current giving go away.  

You've heard these verse before but I will share them again:

• For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - Matthew 6:21

• Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. - 2 Corinthians 9:7

​​For me as a follower of Jesus...here is why I want to give financially (and for now I can say honestly that no one has given more financially than our family):

• I want to be invested into God's Kingdom that is eternal not temporary...God isn't against us having nice things but He is against us putting nice things before Him.   

• I want to model for my son's the life I want them to live of generosity.

• I would rather live my life knowing that I give my tithe to God and have His blessings and favor on the rest...than keeping 100% for myself and thinking I can do life on my own.

If you call Rock Harbor Church your church home or you desire to partner with us to see a new church begin that will exist to "Together, Creating Safe Spaces for Everyone to Love, Laugh & Live Out the Good News of Jesus," ... then let the Lord lead you to give. 

Go to https://www.rhfl.org/give and set-up reoccurring giving if you can.