WORSHIP TEAM
HOW TO RECOGNIZE TEAM MEMBER BURNOUT | Jon Nicol
Levi* was toast. Unfortunately, it was early in my there might be something going on. It could just 10. DISCONNECTION FROM GOD.
ministry and I didn't pick up on the signs soon be an off-night for him/her. But pay attention to This might be tough to gauge, but you'll pick
enough. patterns of disconnect. up hints. With all these signs of burnout, and
especially this one, you'll need to trust your
Levi was my ‘go-to’ utility player. I scheduled him 4. ME-FOCUSED. instincts and nudges from the Spirit as you
most Sundays of the month on either electric When someone's burned out, he’s/she's interact with team members.
guitar or bass. And when neither of the two become so emotionally and physically spent regular drummers could play, he'd happily fill in that they have little capacity to put others first. WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU SEE IT
on the set. I always joked that I wanted to clone If a once selfless person is acting like a jerk, When a person is experiencing burnout, you
Levi. Unfortunately, I treated him like there were something's going on in their heart. have to take action. First, they need to know you
care more about them as a person than the role
three of him.
5. CALLS ATTENTION TO BUSYNESS & STRESS.
they play on the team.
After a few years of this high-octane participation, Some people talk all the time about how busy Levi flamed out. He hadn't been his usual they are. It's almost a badge of honor. But when Second, they need time off to rest. A Sunday
friendly-self for a while. But one Sunday he was a team member who doesn't typically complain off here or there won't cut it. When someone
surly and distant and left before I could connect about busyness starts talking about feeling is experiencing burnout, they need real rest. I
with him. That afternoon, I got an email that from overwhelmed, pay attention. would suggest that you give that person at least
three months off. They could easily need more. If
him that read, "I'm done.” After walking through
this with Levi (and a few other team members), I 6. COMPLAINING. you have to go without a specific instrument for a
learned to keep my relational radar on for signs If a team member is burned out, it might not be season, it's OK. Your team member's emotional
of burnout. So, I wanted to share ten signs that the stress their griping about. When someone runs and spiritual health is far more important than
could point to burnout. When you start seeing their emotional and physical tanks on "empty," the musical quality of your worship service.
these signs, run towards them. When you catch the only thing that seems to flow out naturally is You might be tempted to think otherwise. If you
burnout early, the chances of seeing that person negativity. So, when complaining starts to become do, you may contribute to the list of casualties
fully healthy and serving again on your team is the norm, you know something is wrong. made by the "church machine" that uses people
instead of loves them.
so much higher.
7. TIRED/LETHARGIC.
10 SIGNS OF TEAM MEMBER BURNOUT Our bodies aren't wired for constant stress. Rest Third, encourage the team member to seek
1. CONSTANT MOODINESS. and margin were prescribed and modeled by professional counseling during this time. The
Moodiness is a sign that 'something' is going on. God. If a once energetic person starts routinely behavior that led to burnout is a symptom of
Even if the negative mood is circumstantial and dragging himself in, find out what's going on. a deeper heart wound. If they only treat the
symptoms, they won't ever find wholeness.
may be short-lived, as the shepherd of your team,
it can't hurt to ask, "Is everything going OK?" If 8. APATHY. the moodiness becomes a weekly occurrence, It's easy to stop caring when you're burned out. And that's what we want—emotionally whole
start asking deeper and more direct questions. Ministry loses its meaning. Your team member and spiritually healthy people helping lead
may adopt a ‘who cares’ attitude: why bother our gathered worship. So be alert for signs of
doing it, or at least doing it well? burnout. The sooner you can recognize and deal
2. DIMINISHED PREPARATION.
with it, the sooner your team member can get
The lack of practice is always a cause for
the rest and restoration he or she needs.
concern. But be mindful when the person who 9. NO SHOWS OR SHOWS UP LATE. typically makes practice a priority suddenly On the surface, this behavior seems due to starts arriving unprepared. excessive activities and stress. But I have to *Names and details are changed.
wonder if it also isn't a subtle cry for help, or Jon Nicol
Jon’s the founder of WorshipWorkshop.com and
WorshipTeamCoach.com, two sites that help worship
leaders build strong teams and lead engaging
worship. He lives and serves in Lexington, Ohio with
his wife Shannon and their four kids.
WorshipWorkshop.com
WorshipTeamCoach.com
3. DISCONNECTED FROM OTHERS. even a subconscious attempt to get removed
If your once-friendly team member comes to from the team.
rehearsal and doesn't engage with the team,
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September 2019
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