God’s Restoration in Ministry Burnout…
Anne Jackson is a close friend of our family and she recently used this clip while doing some traveling and speaking about burn-out in ministry. Anne and Chris walked our family through one of the toughest seasons of our life and she also was a key player in why we moved to Nashville to serve at Cross Point. Here is the quote that she said,
My friends Blake and Ally have seen it all in ministry. Being fired, being hurt, being burned out …. but most importantly being restored and passionate about serving!
This video represents God’s provision in a time of brokenness for my family. We have been wounded very bad by church leaders. However, this is the way that I view this now, “if God is working on my character and He is doing a redemptive discipline in my life…then who cares how bad the circumstances are.” Seriously…if the God of the Universe is taking the time to work on my heart…then why would it matter how uncomfortable it might be. It’s kind of like going to the dentist…in order to remove the plaque…he is going to have to drill…and nobody likes to have drills in their mouths!!
I hope that you enjoy this video that is a chapter from our pasts. Sometimes I feel like God is not a good author and I want to take the pen from him to write my own story. I wouldn’t want to leave that chapter out of our story, because it is such an important part of God shaping us into the people we are today. I am not going to lie though…it is hard to watch this…to go back there…however, it is also nice to know that God has turned the page and has begun a new chapter. We are now having more fun in ministry than we ever have.
Have you ever been through a season that was undeniably God working on your heart?
Woah! I had no idea y’all had had such a rough time recently. I’m sorry it happened but glad you’ve managed to move on, seems like you’re in the exact right place for now.
I have some experience of a similar situation, I resigned from my job which I loved in late June. There was an ongoing situation there, I believed that company was acting in an unfair and underhand manner towards me, and I felt the only two options I had were to either respond in a like manner, or leave.
I want to say I’m over it, have grown from it, and have moved on, but the truth is, none of that has happened yet! It’s a real inspiration to see the grace and peace that Ally and yourself have mustered, thank you for sharing your story.
Carolyn…you are way to sweet and a tremendous encouragement! I loved that you knew you could either “respond in a like manner or leave”…I am glad to know that you kept your integrity and grew from the experience! All we really have is our integrity!!
You’re right, I hadn’t though of it that way, thank you.
Great story. Anne and Chris are great people. Glad to hear you’re serving at CrossPoint (great church), and welcome to Nashville.
Thanks Jeff…we are loving Nashville!!
Hey Blake…
I’m blown away by some similarities on our journey! I recently wrote about it last week in 3 parts. God does heal and restore and I am in awe of His heart for me.
Thank you for sharing. We come to Crosspoint whenever we are in Nashville…..we are just a couple hours away and love to visit when we can.
Keep up the excellent work. So thankful that you hung in there and allowed God to do the tending to.
Blessings~
Fran
Blake…I am so sorry this happened but so glad it did. I really do understand and I am so honored that you are where you are now….and I love your heart and your transparency…and NO…God is in NO WAY done with you…you have so much to give, so much to offer…you and your entire family….
We love you immensly….
and are so glad to know you…and your heart.
Love and Prayers- continously
Tate and Angela Luck
Angela…since I know your story…it is hard for me to even complain at all about what I have been through!! Thank you for your continual encouragement and belief in me. It means more than you know.
Thank you so much for sharing that. I know I need it after how things happened at my last church, and how I’m not feeling a total connection where I am now. You and I met once, shared a breakfast with Josh DeVine, Trevor DeVage, and another of your friends whose name I cannot recall, and I remember how encouraging that was for me. I truly wish I had more moments like that in my life. But I find myself scheduling so much with my full time job, my part time job at the church as sound tech, and taking four classes, that I miss so much and end up on the bad end of a burnout crying myself to sleep at night because I don’t know what else to do. I find myself asking the same question you were asking. Will God ever use me again?
Peace.
Kyle
Kyle…I read your blog today…and I think you need to re-read it…you have amazing things to say friend!
No wonder joy sprays out of you like a sprinkler when you walk on stage Sunday mornings. God’s using you as a good example to many of us about staying faithful in rough times.
And I know this feels weird…but as I watched the video I felt like bringing you a sub sandwich. I have no idea why.
God bless you bro.
Jason…bring it on! I don’t have lunch plans today!!
OK…I have a quick business call at 1 but I’ll bring something before 2!
I love that you’ve allowed your painful seasons to shape you, soften you and make you a great leader to our team. You guys are an inspiration!
Jenni…you already know that you have been a big reason why I have started the healing process! Thanks for being such a great boss!
I love you buddy. It is an honor to know you and Ally. My prayer is I get to know you both better and learn by watching you flourish in ministry. Your story gives me hope.
You are right too about Jenni. I can’t imagine a more calming and understanding spirit to get to lean on. It is no wonder that Cross Point is changing the world. CP believes in the process of redemption in everyday and everyone’s lives.
Blake, thanks for the sobering story of crushed ministry and rebirth. A friend says God is more into resurrection than into rescue, and your story affirms that. Keep the story going forth as there are lives longing to hear such hope, even those of us still wild about pastoring!
Glad we could be a part of your sweet family during all that. I hope that we were a light in your dark time! Love and MISS you guys!!
Natalie…you and JT were more of a refuge than you will ever know!! We love you more and miss you more…I promise!
WOW! What a great story. I was at Crosspoint your first Sunday -visiting (as an observer) and saw you being interviewed by Pete. I could see your passion for the ministry. We could use more like you in the ministry.
Nibby Priest
Henderson KY
WOW!
You are your own example of what you teach. I still, am holding back from fully trusting God with the direction of my life. If I did what I felt that I should do, there would be less income, no insurance……… you know. You just sent a great message. I wish I could relinquish all the weight of responsibilities I feel that I bear. Or at least some of them, so that my wondering mind, could have time to see and appreciate LIFE.
I came to you looking for advice for a good friend, who is going through an unwanted divorce. He is not a religious person. I see an opportunity to help a friend and head him towards exploring his faith.
Thanks,
You are a Major Dude.
See you Fri PM
Thanks for your honesty and continued authenticity to truth. It is so encouraging to see how God used the challenging places as growth in you and your family. I, too, am thankful for the same journey in my own life. I appreciate that the enemy didn’t win in his thwarts to destroy your ministry to the lost and hurting. You have a contagious and amazing passion and compassion for people.
I appreciate the way you have challenged my faith and helped direct me in some dark and lonely days myself. Thank you for directing me back to Christ, the one and only that works ALL things for good.
I pray that God will continue to grow you, your marriage, and your family as you serve Him in reckless abandonment. Thanks for all you do.
Great story. I love it when His plan comes together.
Nate…I agree!
Thanks for sharing your story and for the encouragement! God’s breaking me of trying to grab the pen from him to write my own story because I think that I can write it better than he can. But the story he wants to write is so much better than anything that I could come up with, even if he takes me through some uncomfortable places to tell that story.
Thanks for everything you do at Crosspoint!