Is Normalizing Pastor Exhaustion & Burnout Helpful? Self-Fulfilling?
17min 15 s
Rev. Anna Tew
Somewhere along the way, the church (church culture) began telling pastors that if they’re not tired, overcommitted, and running late, they must not be doing ministry correctly. Rev. Anna Tew would like to file a gentle objection. Burnout isn’t a spiritual gift, and exhaustion isn’t listed among the fruits of the Spirit. In this candid and practical conversation, Anna shares what she learned after nearly burning out herself: sometimes the holiest thing you can put on your calendar is a blank space. From learning to say “no” (without writing a three-page apology) to recognizing resentment as an early warning light, she offers wise—and refreshingly freeing—advice for building a ministry that’s sustainable for the long haul.
The Rev. Anna Tew is a Lutheran pastor serving Our Savior’s Lutheran Church (ELCA) in South Hadley, Massachusetts. She has served the church professionally for almost 15 years in both parish and hospital settings. A product of several places, Anna was born in rural Alabama, considers Atlanta to be her second home, and adores living in rural New England and has stated adamantly that she is never leaving. She also loves things like hiking/backpacking, popular music, and running. Anna is deeply interested in what it means to be more fully human and whole and to integrate work, rest, relationships, nutrition, spirituality, and movement into daily life in ways that are sustainable and healthy. Finally, she feels contractually obligated to warn you that she is a CrossFit coach and recreational athlete in her spare time, but assures us all that she has no interest in suggesting that anyone do burpees unless she is intentionally contracted and paid by the potential burpee-er. She will, however, annoyingly remind you to stay hydrated. No one really drinks enough water, you know.
- Recorded in July of 2026
- Listen to more from Rev. Anna Tew
