“The battle belongs to the Lord.” (Song lyrics)
Not long ago, I was having lunch with a pastoral colleague who recently had emerged from a protracted difficulty in the congregation. “Really,” he said, “I feel like I’m suffering from battle fatigue. I just feel worn out from all of the bickering.”
In noting these trends and reading about the top reasons church leaders experience burnout or resignation, conflict in the church ranks near the top. Conflict is a killer, and few youth leaders can survive for long in a climate of bickering or church-related stress.
Many church leaders today—especially youth leaders—likely are suffering from this phenomenon. Battle fatigue can be especially insidious, too, transforming us from caring and perceptive leaders into apathetic, rigid or aggressive leaders. Being aware of these realities is a first step toward wholeness.
As one who has suffered through these times of battle fatigue, let me offer a few tips for surviving:
• Find support outside the conflict. This could be with a group of colleagues, some old friends, or other youth leaders who will remain confidential and supportive through the ordeal at hand.
• Where possible, enlist a conflict-resolution consultant. There are many people out there who specialize in these types of resolutions—and conflict management may be one of the most important specialties in seeking good outcomes.
• Keep the stresses at bay by compartmentalizing and creating other times, relationships and opportunities that will feed the soul and enliven the spirit. Don’t be immersed completely in the conflict. Work for a balance in your life.
