Read Carol Howard Merritt’s Aug. 13, 2010, post on the Call & Response blog on reasons for burnout. Merritt is a Presbyterian pastor in Washington, D.C.

Read a Jan. 28, 2011, column at EthicsDaily.com about the importance of rest for everyone, but particularly for ministers.

Read a Dec. 26, 2011, Huffington Post column by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach about a lack of gratitude among congregants and how that affects clergy job satisfaction.

Read a Jan. 21, 2012, Florida Times-Union report that blames the problem of clergy burnout on unrealistic expectations.

Read a Feb. 8, 2012, story from The Christian Post that says pastor burnout results from “idol-chasing” and neglecting the Gospel.

Read a March 15, 2012, account on the Ahead of the Trend blog about new research on “clergy killers” — conflict-filled congregations that are nearly impossible to lead.

Read an Oct. 2, 2012, Christian Today story about ministers struggling under increasing workloads.

See the results of an August 2011 survey of 1,000 Protestant pastors by LifeWay Research that details the rewards of their work but also the challenges.

Paul S. Morton is founder and international presiding bishop of the New Orleans-based Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, International and pastor of Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church, with locations in New Orleans and Decatur, Ga. Begun in 1992, the Episcopal-style fellowship includes mostly African-American Baptist congregations and individuals who emphasize spiritual gifts, including speaking in […]