“Why am I SO stressed out?!”

1) For me, I became so frustrated at the "stress" that was caused by continually "submitting" to leadership that I wasn't totally on the same page with. It doesn't mean there was a right side and a wrong side, just a personality difference and a vision difference. Honestly, everything about the music ministry was GREAT. Almost perfect as far as ministry jobs go.

But when you continue to do something that is great knowing that you're heart isn't totally there, you have to change something. So I did.

2) I literally had to just STEP back and do something else. Literally. I went from being a full-time music/media minister to being a full-time graphic designer. The pay is about the same for me so I can't complain about that!

But what I have experienced in the last few months is a breath of fresh air. I've moved to a different city (my wife got an amazing new job) and plugged in to a new church. And I'm very up front that I really only want to participate as a volunteer and that I want to NOT do anything HALF of the time. It's been amazing. Do I miss being a full-time music coordinator? Sure thing. But what made it the most stressful has nothing to do with what I miss the most: my friends on our team.

Interesting. I heard of a pole last year that listed the job of "Worship Pastor" as one of the most satisfying occupations one could work. Is it two different groups of people (half of the world's worship leaders are stressed, and the other half is immensely satisfied), or might it be that they same factors that lead to stress (often having to keep large numbers of diverse people engaged and satisfied on a weekly basis?), when successfully navigated, lead to a deep sense of accomplishment and importance? Maybe?

Possibly. I think with everything in life there are seasons.

For me I actually believe it was the most fulfilling and yet frustrating at the SAME time. The actual "team" part the actual music part was great no real stress involved (well, none other than the what I would consider normal).

It was the other side of the "job" that cause me the most frustration and stress. And that was purely relational with my "boss" and/or "bosses."

1) I agree with Russ on not being on the same page as leadership. In my case it was pursuing excellence in the vision that was communicated to me vs. that vision not being pursued by the leadership. I singed on to do 'x', which was communicated to me by leadership and was being asked to do 'y' by the same leadership.

Another thing that is very stressful to me was lack of communication or planning. While I undestand the holy spirit can move and require changes this was by no means the case where I was. There were times when, while going thru the service, I thought 'gosh this song or this element would have been perfect to go with what he is saying/doing/teaching.' Missing those opportunities to make an impact with music/art/drama/whatever were very disappoiting.

2) I guess I went to the extreme and removed myself completely from the situation. I left the church on good terms and will have eyes well open to the mext ministry opportunity that comes along. Communication will be a priority along with relationship.

If I'm think of the same article, I think teacher was another one of those professions. So being a full-time teacher and a part-time worship leader, I guess I'm really in trouble.

I totally agree with worshiptheking and the lack of communication in planning. The pastor at my church usually hasn't even chosen a scripture to preach on until Wednesday each week but I need to have music chosen and distributed to my band by Monday. So most weeks I'm planning music without a clue what the theme of the service will be. You're right, it's very frustrating to be listening to a sermon on Sunday morning and thinking about what I would have planned differently had I know what the scripture was.