The Lead Ministry Podcast

• 275. Kill the Program, Save The Leader (Burnout Series 10)

  Episode DescriptionIn this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart and Bill Van Kirk tackle the silent burnout trigger of stubbornly clinging to failing programs. They explore why leaders keep sinking time and money into ideas that no longer work, offering practical strategies for quitting wisely and reallocating resources to life-giving initiatives.If you have ever felt trapped by tradition or guilt, this conversation will equip and inspire you with a clear path forward.Key Topics CoveredSunk Cost Fallacy – Why past investment can blind us to present realityRecognizing Dead Horses – Metrics and emotions that signal it is time to quitGraceful Exits – Communicating change, redirecting resources, and avoiding burnoutKey Quote“Dismount that dead horse and move on, lead with wisdom.”Scripture ReferencesLuke 14:28 – “Which of you, wanting to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost…?”Ecclesiastes 3:6 – “A time to keep and a time to cast away.”TakeawayEffective leaders know when to end a program, release guilt, and invest energy where God is moving. Quitting well protects your team from exhaustion and opens space for fresh vision.Call to ActionWe hope this episode encourages and equips you in your leadership. Share it with a friend, and stay tuned for more resources each week.Stay Connected for More ResourcesVisit our website: http://leadministry.comFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadVolunteersFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadvolunteers

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• 274. The One Word That Stopped My Burnout (Burnout Series 9)

  Episode DescriptionIn this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart and Bill Van Kirk dive into one of the most overlooked sources of burnout in ministry: obsessing over problems you can’t control. They explore how misplaced concern leads to frustration, anxiety, and wasted energy—and how learning to say "NOPE" can set you free.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the dysfunction around you, this episode will equip and inspire you to lead with focus, excellence, and peace.Key Topics Covered• Concern vs. Responsibility – Why knowing the difference changes everything• The Power of “NOPE” – A 4-letter framework for emotional boundaries• Leading Up by Leading Well – How excellence in your area builds influenceKey Quote“I am concerned about many things. I am responsible, but for a few. Focus on the few.”Scripture ReferencesLuke 16:10 – “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.”Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation…present your requests to God.”TakeawayYou don’t have to fix every ministry. You just need to own yours. When you lead with integrity and clarity in your sphere, influence will follow. Focus your energy on what you can control—and let go of the rest.Call to ActionWe hope this episode encourages and equips you in your leadership. Share it with a friend, and stay tuned for more resources each week.Stay Connected for More ResourcesVisit our website: http://leadministry.comFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadVolunteersFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadvolunteers

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• 273. Stop Carrying What’s Not Yours: The Burden vs. Load Trap (Burnout Series 8)

  Episode DescriptionIn this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh and Bill unpack the surprising power of understanding burdens vs. loads. They explore how misidentifying these two can lead to burnout, resentment, and a church culture of unhealthy dependency.If you've ever wondered, “Am I doing too much?” this episode will equip and inspire you with practical ways to lead with wisdom and stay in ministry for the long haul.Key Topics CoveredBurdens vs. Loads – A biblical distinction with big implicationsHow churches accidentally enable burnoutCreating systems of care that don’t crush your leadersKey Quote"You make your decisions, and your decisions make you."Scripture ReferencesGalatians 6:2 – “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”Galatians 6:5 – “For each will have to bear his own load.”2 Thessalonians 3:10 – “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”TakeawayNot every need is a burden. Some are loads people are meant to carry. When ministry leaders start picking up what others should own, burnout is inevitable. The answer isn’t doing more—it’s building systems that activate the body of Christ.Call to ActionWe hope this episode encourages and equips you in your leadership. Share it with a friend, and stay tuned for more resources each week.Stay Connected for More ResourcesVisit our website: http://leadministry.comFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadVolunteersFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadvolunteers 

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• 272. The Hidden Biology of Burnout: What No One Tells Pastors (Burnout Series 7)

  Episode DescriptionIn this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh and Bill unpack a surprising contributor to burnout: biology. They draw a powerful and personal comparison between the lives of pastors and police officers—two high-stress, service-driven professions often exposed to emotional extremes.From fight-or-flight responses to post-Sunday crashes, they explore how ministry can train leaders to crave chaos without even realizing it. If you’ve ever felt more "alive" at church than at home, this conversation might hit closer to home than you'd expect.Key Topics CoveredThe Sympathetic Nervous System – How your body responds to ministry stress like it’s a car crash.The Dangerous High – Why the buzz of ministry might be addicting without you knowing.Monday Letdown – Understanding why you feel trashed after a big Sunday.Real Talk from the Field – Josh opens up about the dark side of being “on” all the time.Cop vs. Pastor – Striking parallels between professions that rarely get emotional room to breathe.Key Quote“Home equals boring. Work equals life. That’s a dangerous trap—and I’ve lived in it.”Scripture ReferencesMatthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”TakeawayBurnout isn’t just spiritual fatigue—it’s biological exhaustion. If you’ve been addicted to adrenaline without realizing it, this episode will give you language, insight, and practical tools to come back to center.Call to ActionTake a step toward health. Share this episode with your team and talk openly about your patterns. You’re not weak for feeling it. You’re human.Stay Connected for More ResourcesVisit our website: http://leadministry.comFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadVolunteersFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadvolunteers

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• 271. The Hidden Cost of Counseling (And Why You Should Still Go) (Burnout Series 6)

  Episode DescriptionIn this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh and Bill dive into one of the most overlooked aspects of ministry leadership—counseling. Many leaders experience burnout because they haven’t processed their struggles in a healthy way. But here’s the truth: counseling is necessary, and it comes with a hidden cost.They explore the reality of the “counseling hangover,” the emotional exhaustion that follows deep self-work. They also unpack how true healing doesn’t just come from receiving counsel—but from giving it to others.If you’ve ever hesitated to seek professional help, this episode will challenge your perspective and give you the encouragement to push through.Key Topics CoveredWhy every ministry leader needs counseling (yes, including you!)The hidden cost of healing: What is the "counseling hangover"?Why healing doesn’t stop with you—it’s meant to be passed on.How to turn your past pain into ministry impact.Key Quote"My brokenness is a better bridge for people than my pretend wholeness ever was." — Sheila WalshScripture References2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – "God comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those in any affliction with the comfort we ourselves receive."TakeawayYour pain has a purpose. Whether you’re walking through healing or helping others find theirs, God uses brokenness to build bridges.Call to ActionStart your journey today—seek out a trusted counselor, and be willing to share your story. If this episode resonated with you, share it with another leader who needs to hear it.Stay Connected for More ResourcesVisit our website: http://leadministry.comFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadVolunteersFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadvolunteers   

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