Stop Overworking and Start Overflowing

I was excited the first time I was asked to speak at a conference. Then anxious.

My thoughts raced: I don’t belong in a lineup with these other speakers. I’m going to make a fool of myself.

The opportunity to be a spokesperson for Jesus turned into pressure. I felt like I’d only be successful if I researched rigorously and delivered my talk flawlessly.

Thankfully this process taught me an invaluable lesson. The path forward wasn’t to perform better but to accept that I couldn’t be perfect. This unlocked God’s flow of peace and power for both me and those who came to the conference (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Friend, you are a spokesperson for Jesus in your work as a missionary! But let’s be honest — leading that charge can feel like a grind.

Activities like preparing content, sharing the Gospel, and leading groups likely stir up passion inside you. But you might also feel pressure to “gear up” or “turn on.” Doing this weekly can drain your soul.

I feel compassion for pastors and missionaries who are serving on empty. Leading people closer to Jesus when you feel far from him can cause burnout. It’s easy to find yourself discouraged, cynical, or living a painful double life.

So what’s the path forward? All of us can learn to practice the Bible’s teaching that less is more (John 3:30). This means learning to prioritize presence instead of performance.

It’s tempting to spend too much time perfecting a sermon or developing flawless leadership talk. But that causes lots of stress and actually makes you less fruitful.

Studies show that 93% of the effect of communication is nonverbal. Yet it’s easy to think your impact depends on the brilliance of your content or charisma of your presentation.

People are more impacted by their experience of you than your words. This means that who you are is more powerful than what you say.

It reminds me of an impression that Jesus spoke to my heart about my role as a teacher and author. He said, “The most important words you write or speak come between the lines.”

The Spirit of Jesus filling the pages of a book is more valuable than finding just “one” more piece of research to include. It’s more precious for people to experience Jesus’ heart during a sermon than to be wowed by theology.

Research, preparation, and sound theology matter. But your presence — your character, a prayerful attitude, and the condition of your soul —  holds even greater weight. It conveys attributes like joy, compassion, and enthrallment with Christ. 

Instead of trying hard to say the right words you can focus on becoming the kind of person who thinks, feels, listens, and supports others like the Good Shepherd.

You can speak from your heart out of the overflow of Jesus’ ministry to you. Then others will experience the loving presence of Christ through you.

Ready to overflow with the Spirit of Jesus to those around you? You can train in loving leadership with Soul Shepherding.

Many pastors and missionaries find coming to a 5-day retreat is the most fruitful way to discover a new and life-giving way of ministry with Jesus. We’d love for you to apply for our 5-day retreat on Relationally Healthy Leadership in beautiful Colorado Springs this June.

An alternative, cost-effective starting place to grow in your leadership is by talking to a coach. They’re trained to assist Jesus in guiding you to become a healthy and fruitful leader.

This article is submitted by Soul Shepherding. Soul Shepherding is a Missio Nexus member.  Member organizations can provide content to the Missio Nexus website. See how by clicking here.