Article
Overcoming Isolation and Burnout in Church Planting: Building for the Long Haul
With intentionality and some strategic shifts, planters can hopefully avoid burnout and build enduring ministries.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” — African Proverb
Starting a church often feels like something of an adventure. There’s early energy, vision, anticipation, and a belief that God will turn up and do something amazing. But after a few years (or even months), the thrill can fade only to be replaced by exhaustion and cynicism. Many church planters, after a challenging (or disappointing) Sunday service, wonder while sitting alone in their car, What went wrong? Was it me?
Isolation and burnout are common challenges in church planting. The adrenaline that powered the early days gives way to a relentless grind. Many planters later reflect that they wish they had slowed down to build stronger teams and acknowledge and embrace their weaknesses earlier in the journey.
The good news? These struggles aren’t uncommon and they aren’t the end. With intentionality and some strategic shifts, planters can hopefully avoid burnout and build enduring ministries.
Remove Yourself from the “Limelight”
Planting is deeply personal. Often, it’s your vision, your passion, and your calling driving things forward. But it’s easy to slip into the false mindset that the church rises and falls on your shoulders. Many planting models unintentionally reinforce this by celebrating charismatic, dynamic leaders.
But here’s the truth to keep front and center: the church isn’t yours. It belongs to Christ.
But here’s the truth to keep front and center: the church isn’t yours. It belongs to Christ.
Remembering this changes everything. It frees you to focus on building a Christ-centered team instead of over-relying on your strengths. Yes, this will require admitting you don’t have all the answers—a humbling thought for many—but, it also allows others to step up and lead.
Planting isn’t a one-person show. Slowing down to invest in a core team embodies the reality that the church exists for Christ’s glory, not yours. This process demands vulnerability, trust, and patience, but it’s worth it.
Eliminate Any Veneer of “Perfection”
We admire “perfect” leaders—those who seem endlessly energetic and completely competent and capable. As a church planter, you might feel pressure to project confidence, especially when casting vision and navigating trials. But projecting perfection can lead to isolation and burnout.
If your team doesn’t know what you’re carrying, they can’t share your load. If you’re too busy trying to be the one who everyone needs, others can’t step into their God-given roles. Vulnerability is the antidote.
By being honest about your struggles and limitations, you create a culture of openness and trust. This isn’t about oversharing; it’s about modeling dependence on Christ. When you say, “I don’t have all the answers, but I know one who does,” you point your team to Jesus, the true Chief Shepherd. And it’s about Him, not about you.
Vulnerability builds stronger, unified teams. It also protects you from isolation, ensuring that your team can support you and share the ministry’s burdens.
Vulnerability builds stronger, unified teams.
Abandoning Control and Letting Others Lead
If vulnerability is step one, relinquishing control is step two. Many planters start with a vision so deeply tied to their identity that sharing leadership feels painful, almost impossible. But the church isn’t meant to reflect your personality; it’s meant to glorify God and serve His people. The church is meant to reflect Christ and His word.
Releasing control means trusting others with real responsibility—not just tasks, but actual authority. For example, a leader may have a different approach to overseeing their small group or organizing worship. Can you trust them to lead in their own way, even if it’s not your style? Why not?
Delegating isn’t about perfection; it’s about trust and growth. This approach mirrors Jesus’ example of servant leadership. He called His followers to lead with humility, not by “lording it over” others (Mark 10:42-45). Empowering others creates a healthier, more sustainable church.
Slowing Down to Move Forward
As the traditional African proverb I began with, wisely says:
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Trouble is in today’s fast-paced world, “slow” (or at least not going very fast) often feels like failure. Church planting, with its focus on results, funding, launch dates, and numbers, is no exception. But what if taking a strategic pause early on could save years of heartache down the line?
Building a strong core team takes time. It means getting to really know people, identifying their gifts, equipping them for leadership, and investing in their spiritual growth. This may even require delaying your church’s public launch—a step that can feel like moving backward. But in reality, it’s a step forward. A prepared, united team is far more effective than a rushed, unready one.
This process also brings clarity. Some may realize that church planting isn’t their calling—and that’s OK. A smaller, unified team is better than a larger, divided one.
Think of it like building a house. The foundation isn’t flashy or exciting, but without it, the structure won’t stand. The relationships and lessons formed during this time will sustain your church for years.
Build Churches That Last
The pressures of church planting are real. It can be so tempting to cut corners, rush timelines, or shoulder too much responsibility. But shortcuts and corner-cutting lead to burnout and brokenness.
Taking the time to invest in your team, embrace vulnerability, and share leadership isn’t easy, but, I promise you, it’s worth it. These steps lay the groundwork for a thriving, gospel-centered church that (we pray) stands the test of time.
When planters slow down and focus on Christ, they declare that the church is about Him—not them. This approach safeguards the health of the planter and their team while creating a ministry that reflects Christ’s glory.
So pause. Take a deep breath. Slow down. Trust God’s timing. Lean on your team. Build for the long haul. May the Lord bless your efforts and use your ministry to shine His light for generations to come.
