The One That Might Save Your Ministry (Burnout vs. Discouragement)

Are you really burnt out… or are you just deeply discouraged?

In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, John and Ian tackle the confusion between burnout and discouragement — and why understanding the difference could keep you from walking away from something God has actually called you to do.

🔍 In this episode, we cover:

• The signs and symptoms of discouragement vs. burnout

• Why burnout has become a “badge of honor” in ministry culture

• What Barna says about the crisis in pastoral health

• How isolation fuels helplessness (learned helplessness theory)

• The emotional, spiritual, and relational differences between the two

• Why community is the cure

• What Marshawn Lynch and septic tanks have to do with your ministry mindset

🤯 💬 “If you mislabel discouragement as burnout, you might quit something you were called to endure. But if you mislabel burnout as discouragement, you’ll keep grinding until you collapse.”

 

🎧 Want Part 2 of the conversation?

In the subscriber-only bonus episode, we walk through:

✅ Practical rhythms to recover from burnout

✅ How to know when it’s time to take a break

✅ Why a sabbatical might not fix what you’re feeling

✅ How to lead yourself well so you can keep leading others

✅ The burnout quiz to help assess where you stand

 

👇 Join the community for bonus episodes, cohorts, and exclusive tools: shapingstudentministry.com/community