What happens when you hit that wall—when you cannot seem to find the physical, emotional, or spiritual wherewithal to lead one more thing? What happens when "burnout" is no longer just a phrase you hear about, but a very personal, immediate reality?

Of course, one of the easiest ways to avoid burnout is to just operate on "cruise control"—doing the bare minimum your position requires. But God has not called us to be mediocre, and he holds those in positions of leadership to a higher standard. And let’s be honest—you care too much to do just the minimum—if you didn’t, burnout would be the least of your concerns. In "How to Avoid Burnout as a Ministry Leader," Ryan Schaible offers three ideas about how to avoid burnout in your leadership—lessons he has learned from his own experiences and mistakes.

If leaders are going to be effective and fruitful, they must first take care of themselves. In "Great Leadership Starts with Life Balance," Joel Comiskey shares how bronchitis brought him face-to-face with the reality that he can’t neglect caring for his body and soul.