Worship Leaders Discuss How They Cope With The Potential For Burn-out In Ministry

Today, some of Sojourn’s many worship leaders (including vocalists and musicians of all stripes) answer the question “Have you ever experienced burnout as a worship leader?  What did you do about it?”  I’ve also included a response from Danny Medina, worship leader from our Acts 29 sister-church in Albuquerque, New Mexico, City On A Hill.

Christi Osterday: I’ve been struggling with burnout as a musician for the past couple of years now. Without realizing it, I was equating how well I use this one gift God has given me to my standing with God. I was feeling guilty when I practiced a lot and guilty when I practiced little. Though a few breaks have helped my burn-out, it’s taken my family in Christ to set me straight. I’m grateful for friends speaking truth to me as well as a few particular sermons by Daniel (Montgomery, Sojourn’s Lead Pastor) as we go through Romans. Lately, every time I play for a worship service I get a stronger realization of my freedom in Christ.

David Weir: I’ve been burnt out many times while leading worship. If I feel burnout I know that it is a heart issue. When songs become complacent and stale I have a hard time getting excited about a worship set. It all stems from my own selfishness and pride. It is hard for me to balance performance and worship. We all want to play as best as we can, but often for the wrong motives. I sometimes feel guilty if people clap for the band at the end of a worship song… like I didn’t do my job in leading them to where they should have gone.

Dave Moisan: The only times I have felt “burnout” (and I would define that as just being tired….physically and emotionally) are the times when I have been too busy to spend time resting in Christ….reading the Word and chillin’ with God. Burnout, for me, comes when I have had no rest…..and what I’ve found is that rest does not correlate with how many hours of sleep I get, but rather, how intimate with God I am.

Essentially though, it has nothing to do with leading worship, and if anything, helping with music on Sunday recharges me and gives me rest because music, as I’m sure it is with most of you, is my love language to God.

Bryon Shrock: I have experienced burnout and withdrawal.  I think it is important to pace yourself. It may even be a good idea to decide how much you want to be involved and plan retreats or getaways at the top of the year. Also, make sure that you have a good team and rotation in place so that everyone involved gets the time off they need. I experienced withdrawal when I pulled out too far. That’s why I said to pace yourself. Burnout happens but it doesn’t have to be that bad.

Sean Brooks: I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced burnout from playing drums. I could play every day and be happy. However, there have been times when my wife has been burned out from my constant playing and then I feel it necessary to take a break.

Robert James: Usually about twice a year I have to take a month off to avoid burnout. I can feel burnout coming most of the time and when I do I know it is time to take a break.

Jeremy Quillo: I think when most of us hear the phrase “burnout as a worship leader,” we assume that means getting tired of standing on a stage in front of a crowd and singing or playing music. We as worship leaders need to take a huge step back from that and remember that the role of a worship leader is to give glory to God and encourage others to do the same. That is true whether we are on a stage, having a conversation with a coworker, or sitting down for a meal. We are supposed to be worshipping continually (Hebrews 13:15), and that will involve music only a fraction of the time.

I thing we should think about the question in terms of how we are leading worship away from the “stage.” I wonder how different our responses would be if we were asked “Do you experience burnout as a Christian?” As far as music goes, yes, it is easy to hit a “dry spell” in terms of creativity, inspiration and routine. So I would say that when we set those things aside, we are still able to be worship leaders in other aspects of life.

Eddy Morris: I have had seasons of spiritual “dryness” where God seems a million miles away. this really stinks when you really want to lead others in worship and be an inspiration to others. I have dealt with this by remembering that the gospel does not depend on how I feel. It is still true no matter how I feel. God is worth praising and pointing others to Him even if my mood is down.

Sometimes I concentrate on the truth of the words we are singing to inspire me in these dry times which makes me grateful for the songs that (Sojourn worship arts pastor Mike) Cosper chooses which are theologically rich and Gospel driven. Some churches I have played at sing a lot of songs that emphasize our love and devotion to God — instead of His love and devotion to us, which resonates much stronger with me especially when I am not feeling it anyway.

After so many difficult storms in my life I have noticed that I grow and God uses me just as much in tough dry seasons as He does when God seems near and things are going well. People can relate to these times of desperation so I try to be honest with others and God while still putting my sincere hope in Christ.

Donovan Medina (from City On A Hill in Albuquerque): It seems like the phrase “burnout” and worship leader go hand and hand. As a worship leader and an observer of worship leaders, I have watched and partaken in the cycle of “burnout” take place in churches and ministries that range in size from groups of 10 to 14,000. If I don’t over-spiritualize the responsibilities of a worship leader the task at hand has many contributing components that lead to physical, emotional, creative and spiritual fatigue.

Here is a list of what I believe are common struggles among most worship leaders that attribute to this specific type of tiredness: Insecurities of skill level; fear; stated and unstated expectations; pressure; good and bad music/worship sets; demands from your boss; demands from your family; the constant fight and drive for creativity and perfection; scheduling musicians; rehearsals; the actual performance; teams of personalities; the use of old and new songs; the right amount of repetition for old and new songs; unending comments and criticism of styles and genre preferences; music for funerals, weddings, staff devotions and every other church function; the relentless routine of mid-week and weekend services and since being a worship leader isn’t a “real” job, constantly justifying what we do for a living.

I hope the list does not sound like complaints and immature whining. Rather, I hope the list provides a realistic glimpse at what it means to be a worship leader. The wild turnings of these struggles and triumphs will quickly wear down both the inner and outer man unless boundaries and clear communication with your superiors are set and understood.

I have found what produces longevity and lasting vitality in a worship leader is having a superior/boss who can empathize with the rigorous demands of leading worship. A senior leader who understands this particular susceptibility can help protect the worship leaders physical, emotional, creative and spiritual well-being by supplying a number of safe guards. Here are few items that have been helpful past and present:

1. Having multiple worship leaders who share and rotate leading responsibilities

2. Opportunities to step away from the stage and participate in the seats

3. The freedom to play at other churches/events

4. One day out of the week devoted to prayer, reading and meditation

5. The all-important vacation. This proactive approach will substantially decrease the chances of burning-out.

This is a very short and incomplete answer to a great question. I must add that as many times I have experienced the weariness and lethargy of leading worship; I have also experienced the faithful restoration of God. I have tasted His grace and strength through my humanity and weakness.