Accepting your limits is part what it means to be an effective leader over the long-term.
But many leaders live too close to their limits with disastrous consequences.
Living too close to your limits hurts those who serve with you. They don’t receive the care that they need and you feel like you’re constantly pulled in 1000 directions. Regularly ask yourself the following questions:
Do you wish you could be honest about stress you feel?
Do you entertain the notion of quitting, but talk yourself out of it?
Do you wish you could open up to someone, but can’t?
Do you frequently feel tired or worn out?
Do you dread upcoming conversations?
Do you often feel alone?
If you find yourself in any of those places regularly, it’s time to ask for help. If you’re totally on your own, it might even be time to suspend ministry activity for a season. Your spiritual health and the health of those around you are more important than maintaining ministry inertia.
Healthy ministry isn’t about more. It’s about better.
How many volunteers can I effectively serve? That’s a question that only you can answer. By being attentive to your team’s needs and your ability to care for them thoughtfully and selflessly, your ministry will be known as a healthy and enjoyable place to serve.
