Tag Archives: Burnout

Richard Baxter on weakness in ministry.

Posted on September 26, 2016 by neilrobbie

Christian ministry is a high calling and demands on ministers can cause us to weaken. Richard Baxter cautions ministers against relying on the work of the Holy Spirit alone to strengthen us. God has given us the use of means … Continue reading →

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40 days of transformation: Day 8 – don’t bite off…

Posted on February 25, 2013 by neilrobbie

Today is the twelfth day of Lent.  I’m only on Day 8 of 40 days of transformation.  Even taking two days off for Sundays, I’ve missed a couple of days.  This is fairly typical for me.  I bite off more … Continue reading →

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40 days of transformation: Day 3 – love myself

Posted on February 15, 2013 by neilrobbie

Jesus said “love your neighbour as yourself.”  God expects me to do good and look after my neighbour, not harm them. To be kind, compassionate, thoughtful, patient, forgiving and so on. One of the dangers I have found in Christian … Continue reading →

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The shock of the first timesheet

Posted on October 3, 2012 by neilrobbie

For 12 months, beginning in September 2011, I lost track of time, and not in the good way, when time flies past because you are enjoying yourself. I stopped keeping a timesheet to monitor my work hours and how I … Continue reading →

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On making it alright to crumble sometimes

Posted on February 9, 2012 by neilrobbie

I’ve had a pretty rough six months or so in ministry such that by Christmas I was clinging on by my fingernails.  I had lost sight of God and wondered if he’d forgotten to be merciful (Ps 77:1-9).  I clung … Continue reading →

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Acts 20:28 and priorities in ministry

Posted on March 8, 2011 by neilrobbie

In Acts 20:27-28 the Apostle Paul establishes priorities in ministry, which are to ensure that the whole will of God is proclaimed and ministers are innocent of the blood of all men (Acts 20:27): Keep watch over yourselves and all … Continue reading →

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Oh to speak with conviction

Posted on January 13, 2011 by neilrobbie

My earlier post on mortification, crucifixion and prayer not only addresses ministry burnout but also conviction.  When I am tired and prayerless I am more alive to sin than dead to it and that includes a lack of conviction of … Continue reading →

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Memoirs of an ordinary pastor #3

Posted on May 5, 2010 by neilrobbie

This is the second of Don Carson’s reflections on his dad’s ministry and the work-life balance of the pastor. Mum used to tell us kids, “Work hard, and play hard, but never confuse the two.” By this she wanted us … Continue reading →

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Lessons from the journal of an ordinary partor #1

Posted on March 16, 2010 by neilrobbie

In his book The Memoirs of an ordinary pastor (the life and reflections of Tom Carson) Don Carson makes 9 observations of his father’s life and ministry which he hopes will guide and encourage other pastors in situations like his … Continue reading →

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The difficult balance of self-love and self-sacrifice

Posted on April 8, 2009 by neilrobbie

I have been vicar of Holy Trinity West Bromwich, in an inner city urban priority area, for 4 weeks now. In my new post, I am keen to avoid burnout, which means some degree of self-preservation. As I relaxed in … Continue reading →

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