Tag Archives: Ministry Burnout

The weekly timesheet – where does all the time go?

Posted on September 5, 2012 by neilrobbie

Before training for ordination in the Church of England, I worked for over 12 years in engineering.  One of the transferable “skills” I now use as a vicar is the weekly timesheet.  Until last year, I kept track of how … Continue reading →

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Google tasks Organiser – the collection system

Posted on September 4, 2012 by neilrobbie

When it comes to getting everything done as a vicar, I do not only have the self-generated teaching, counselling and training ministries which I do, but I have many requests for time from other people.  When it comes to organising … Continue reading →

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Ministry Burnout and the problem of organisation

Posted on September 3, 2012 by neilrobbie

I’ve posted a number of times on this blog on the subject of ministry burnout (if you would like to read about the symptoms and the solutions please read Avoiding Ministry Burnout and The Road to Ministry Burnout I also … Continue reading →

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The minister’s fainting fits: C.H. Spurgeon

Posted on February 15, 2012 by neilrobbie

I have posted many times on the matter of ministry burnout. Much of my training as a curate focused on the ways and means to avoid burnout. I think I believed that if I put the principles into practice that … 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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Co-dependency as a route to ministry burnout

Posted on November 1, 2011 by neilrobbie

The work of the pastor is never done. There are always more needs abounding than there is time to meet them all. These needs are practical, relational and theological.  People need a helping hand to do things, to fix broken … Continue reading →

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Lessons for ministry from the life of Thomas Boston #1 – preparation for ministry

Posted on September 12, 2011 by neilrobbie

I’ve always had an interest in the life of Thomas Boston who was born in Duns, just 24 miles from where I grew up in Melrose.  His ministry in Ettrick, which began in 1707, must have influenced the culture of … Continue reading →

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Ministry burnout and dependence on the strength of God

Posted on June 8, 2011 by neilrobbie

Christian ministry can feel like a treadmill at the gym, set too fast, too many things on the go at a time, and they can’t be stopped, shut down, the treadmill sometimes has no off-button.  When life gets like this, … 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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Working for Christ in his absence?

Posted on January 17, 2011 by neilrobbie

I’ve been thinking about crucifixion, mortification and prayer and the route to ministry burnout. This extract from Spurgeon’s sermon on Song of Solomon 1:7-8 “The good shepherdess” is a great encouragement never to lose sweet fellowship with Christ: I know … Continue reading →

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