--- title: How Not to End Up in the News description: The six-month mark is when mass resignations start to happen, when deep depressions truly set in, when career-ending decisions are made, and pastors end up in the news for the wrong reasons. image: https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/How%20NOT%20to%20End%20Up%20in%20the%20News.png --- [Skip to content](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/how-not-to-end-up-in-the-news#main-content) [![cropped-chemistry_logo_homepage-342x95](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cropped-chemistry_logo_homepage-342x95.webp?width=342&height=95&name=cropped-chemistry_logo_homepage-342x95.webp "cropped-chemistry_logo_homepage-342x95")](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/) - [How We Help](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/what-we-do/) - [How We Help Candidates](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/candidate/) - [How We Help Churches](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/church/) - [Our Team](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/team/) - [Our Mission & Strategy](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/what-we-do/) - [Churches](https://chemistrystaffing.com/church) - [Hire New Staff](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/2021-churches-new-staff-hiring/) - [Free 30-Minute Church Consult](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/lets-talk/) - [Chemistry Solutions – You Don’t Have to Do Ministry Alone](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/solutions/) - [Final Fit Assessment](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/final-fit-assessment/) - [Senior Pastor Succession](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/succession/) - [Job Seekers](https://chemistrystaffing.com/candidate) - [Add My Resume / Profile](https://chemistry.fyi/kwq) - [Current Openings](https://chemistrystaffing.com/jobs) - [Free Resume Assessment](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/free-resume-self-assessment/) - [Step-by-Step Job Search](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/cjb) - [How Chemistry Can Help](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/candidate/) - [Resources](http://www.chemistrystaffing.com/candidate/) - [Free Playbooks & Downloads](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/resources/) - [Chemistry Blog](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/) - [2024 Youth Pastor Compensation Survey](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/resources/2024-yp-compensation-survey/) - [Contact Us](http://www.chemistrystaffing.com/lets-talk/) - [Candidates](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/candidate-contact-page/) - [Churches](http://www.chemistrystaffing.com/lets-talk/) - [Find a Job](https://chemistrystaffing.com/jobs) - [My Church is Hiring](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/lets-talk/) [Leadership](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/tag/leadership) # How Not to End Up in the News The six-month mark is when mass resignations start to happen, when deep depressions truly set in, when career-ending decisions are made, and pastors end up in the news for the wrong reasons. ![](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/How%20NOT%20to%20End%20Up%20in%20the%20News.png) # Preventing YOUR pastoral burnout Last week, I had [a conversation with Mindy Caliguire about pastoral burnout](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/its-time-to-check-your-soul). Coming away from that conversation, I continue to be haunted by the discussion about the six-month mark after a crisis. The six-month mark is when mass resignations start to happen, when deep depressions truly set in, when career-ending decisions are made, and pastors end up in the news for the wrong reasons. September 17th is roughly six months after the start of the pandemic in this country... that's less than a month away.   A few weeks back, Todd wrote about how we all need a [mini-sabbatical in this season](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/why-you-need-a-48-hour-sabbatical). I am going to double down on that: You, as a pastor, as a leader, and as a child of God need to make some space in your life this week to sit down, exhale, and listen.  This will probably go against every bone in your body that feels like it needs to be doing something RIGHT NOW... but it is probably the best thing that you can do for your church, your family, and your soul. So, here's what I'd like to do: I want to buy you a cup of coffee (or tea, or fuityfrappamochachino, or whatever you prefer). At the bottom of this post is a code you can scan at Starbucks to have a beverage of your choice on Chemistry.  *But there are a few strings attached.* My hope in this is that it isn't just a cup of coffee that you grab on your way into the office. I'd like for this to be an intentional time of exhaling, listening, and praying. I'd love for this to be a restorative time, or at least a time that opens your eyes to what God is saying to you.  - **Make an appointment:** Seriously, put it on your calendar. If you are concerned about how to title it, call it "Coffee with Pastor Matt" (people will definitely think it is official church business that way). Set aside a minimum of 90 minutes. - **Find space:** Find a space where you can sit, think, pray, and not have to worry about who is around you. This can be outdoors, at a museum, on a beach, or in a Starbucks (with a mask and 6 feet away from everyone). It just **can't be** your office or your home. Also, leave the cell phone and the laptop elsewhere for this. - **Lean in:** We all have our own best ways to connect and commune with our God. I won't tell you how to do this, so if you journal, journal. If you need to pray out loud, pray out loud. If you need to wander and sing worship songs, wander and sing. What I am saying is to take the time to lean into time with God. - **Ask the tough question:** At some point, ask one of John Wesley's favorite questions: how is it with your soul. Take the time to wrestle through this with God and listen to the response of your soul and God's response. Two quick things (and then the coffee code): - I'd love to hear about your experience if you are willing to share. I'd also love to know how our team can specifically be praying for you and your church. [Click here to share](https://forms.gle/z78WH5rvt39BaW3N7).  - Ministry can be isolating in the best of times. When we are struggling, it only makes it worse. [If you need someone to talk to, click here and let's find some time](https://meetings.hubspot.com/matt-steen/schedule-a-conversation).  We're rooting and praying for you...   ![matt](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/matt.png?width=124&name=matt.png)   ![Free Coffee](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Free%20Coffee.png?width=1920&name=Free%20Coffee.png)     [![Schedule a Conversation](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5045578/a26943f9-3125-481e-834d-0f6e8e490d8d.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5045578/a26943f9-3125-481e-834d-0f6e8e490d8d) ### [![Matt Steen](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/IMG_4588.jpg) Matt Steen](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/author/matt-steen) Matt has served the local church for over two decades as a youth pastor, church planter, and executive pastor. Originally from Baltimore, Matt currently lives in Orlando, with his wife Theresa, and has a B.S. in Youth Ministry from Nyack College and an M.Div. and MBA from Baylor University. Certified as an Urban Church Planter Coach by Redeemer City to City and as a StratOp facilitator by the Paterson Center, Matt has made a career of helping churches thrive through intentionality, clarity, and creating healthy cultures. He is convinced that a healthy church is led by a healthy team with great chemistry, and loves partnering with Chemistry’s churches to do great things for the Kingdom. [![Facebook Author](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/facebook.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/snoop4jc) [![Twitter Author](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/matt_steen) [![Linkedin Author](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/linkedin.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewsteen/) ## Latest Resources Browse Articles ![What's Actually Killing Your Church? The Surprising 250-Year Diagnosis](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/blog-images/featured/featured_158.png) #### What's Actually Killing Your Church? The Surprising 250-Year Diagnosis Church decline isn't what you think. Discover what's really threatening the church today vs. 1776 and the 1900s—and why low numbers aren't ... ![What's Actually Killing Your Church? The Surprising 250-Year Diagnosis](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/883a0d42581424e9bbe7c77dccfeed6b) ###### Todd Rhoades July 07, 2026 ![Stop Apologizing for Small Groups: Why Your ](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/blog-images/featured/featured_126.png) #### Stop Apologizing for Small Groups: Why Your "Failed" Bible Study is Actually a Discipleship Goldmine When attendance drops in your small group discipleship ministry, don't panic. Discover why smaller groups create deeper disciples and stron... ![Stop Apologizing for Small Groups: Why Your ](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/883a0d42581424e9bbe7c77dccfeed6b) ###### Todd Rhoades July 06, 2026 ![Stop Screening Out Your Best Candidates: Why Competency Matters More Than Seminary Degrees](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/blog-images/featured/featured_142.png) #### Stop Screening Out Your Best Candidates: Why Competency Matters More Than Seminary Degrees Church hiring practices may be filtering out incredible candidates. Learn why competency should trump credentials in your ministry staff se... ![Stop Screening Out Your Best Candidates: Why Competency Matters More Than Seminary Degrees](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/883a0d42581424e9bbe7c77dccfeed6b) ###### Todd Rhoades July 06, 2026 [![Elements Logo](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/logos/logo.svg "Elements Logo")](http://chemistrystaffing.com) Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consecteturor adipiscing elit. Tincidunt donec vulputate ipsum erat urna auctor. 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