Billy had an article on Burnout published in the Lausanne Global Analysis journal just days before the 2024 European Member Care conference in Budapest, and it obviously made a big splash. As the conference began, many came up to Billy to congratulate him on the article and ask questions. This led to a large turnout for the interest group discussion that we led on the topic of Burnout in Ministry Workers on Day Two. Burnout among ministry workers is such an important topic and one that many care workers are dealing with when caring, counseling, and coaching mission workers in the field. As a result, Billy’s calendar quickly filled up with requests to write more articles for other journals and publications, lead discussion groups in different forums, and workshop requests. While this topic is heartbreaking and difficult, we are excited by the interest and desire by member care workers to learn more about how to care for mission and ministry workers around the globe. 

To learn more about Burnout, read Billy’s most current article in the Lausanne Global Analysis journal here Systemic issues in missionaries’ sending organizations cause burnout. (lausanne.org)  https://lausanne.org/lga-02/burnout-among-missionaries
 

Friday before Holy Week. The final preparations are being made. The city streets are getting a big cleaning so they will be ready to receive the tens of thousands of people who will crowd them every evening this week. The grandstand has been built in front of city hall for all the local dignitaries and those who paid the special price to have the best seats. Fingers are crossed that the rain that we so desperately need holds off for a few more days.

I’ve spent the past several minutes reconnecting with a local friend. I’ve been out of the country for a few weeks for work, and she’s asking me questions about my time in my country, my work, and the state of USA politics - locals are intrigued, confused, and also fearful about USA politics and how it effects the world. When we finally exhaust the USA questions, I turn the conversation to local news. What’s been happening while I’ve been gone? What’s the latest news on the drought and water rationing? Etc. Then, Anita asks the open-door question…

“Do you like Semana Santa (Holy Week)?”

I call these ‘open door questions’ because this is sacred ground. This is the place where culture and Jesus meet. This is the door being thrown wide open for a really good conversation about faith and belief.  I have a choice in this moment: I can respond with a short yes or no, or I can stay curious and vulnerable and prepare myself to listen well and follow the path that will come from this simple question.

I gladly accept the opportunity and respond, “Well, I like some things about it. I definitely have my favorite parts of the processions during the week. But I’m also curious about the crowds. There will be tens of thousands on the streets every night. But there are not tens of thousands in the churches on a normal week. I would guess there aren’t even a total of a few hundred in church on any given weekend.”

Anita laughs and smiles and says, “Oh, you know how Spaniards are - We love our social gatherings! We love to be in the streets, seeing each other, going to the restaurants, being with friends and family. Most of the crowd isn’t even really watching the procession. We’re just there to be together, having fun, and staying out late into the night. Sure, there are some devoted believers. But that’s not normal.”

“I didn’t think so,” I reply. “We have 33 Catholic churches in this town, but only 5 or 6 have active congregations. From what I have seen, there are only a handful of people in the typical church services each week, and most of them are older. Is that true?”
Anita shrugs her shoulders and says, “I’m not an atheist, but I’m also not a believer.” Hmm… I wonder what that means?

I quickly respond with, “I am a believer, but I’m a believer in Jesus. I’m a little confused by the processions because there is very little Jesus depicted in Holy Week. There is a whole lot of Mary, and the churches seem to be trying to out-do each other by putting on a show that is bigger and better than the others.”

Anita responds with a hearty, “Yes! Exactly! I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m not an atheist because I do believe, but I do not believe in the churches. There are some devoted believers in town, but they aren’t good people, in my opinion. They are judgmental and always trying to compete and out-do each other. If you don’t do things their way, then you’re out. If you don’t go to their church, then you don’t matter. I definitely do not believe in the church. The church has done so many terrible things. All throughout Spanish history, the church is somehow at the center of the mess. Actually, religion is at the center of a lot of problems all over the world. I don’t want to have anything to do with that. I think the current pope has been good and he has done amazing things for people. He has brought a lot of people to faith and back to church. But he can’t do it alone. The rest of the church needs to have that same heart for it to turn around.”

I want to affirm Anita and be sure to share some truth. “I hear you. You’re not the first person to tell me that they believe, but they don’t like the ways of the church. You’re definitely not the first in Spain to tell me that your history has been marred by religion and war, and you’re right. I see it. It has done so much damage and so many people have been wounded by people who have called themselves Christians or who have claimed to be doing things in the name of the church and God. That’s why I say I follow Jesus. I believe in Jesus and the things he did and taught. All that other stuff muddies the water sometimes.”

“Exactly,” Anita says again. “Semana Santa will be a big time and a big traditional holiday, but most of those people aren’t there for Jesus or the church. They’re there for social reasons. They’re there because of tradition. It’s fun, but it’s not really belief. It’s just a holiday.”

I add, “well, I usually catch a few of the processions. I like to find the parts in them that ARE Jesus. It reminds me of the Easter story. My favorite one is the Palm Sunday procession with Jesus on the donkey and the live palm trees. That one is so beautiful! I love that he is riding a donkey into the city and everyone is cheering for him. Hard to believe that just a few days later, he is crucified. A huge turn of events in one week! My other favorite is the one on Thursday when Jesus is praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. I love that they have full grown olive trees and a life-size Jesus on that one. I’ll go to some of the processions, and I’ll seek out the Jesus parts.”

I’m keenly aware of this sacred ground. Anita is sharing deep things from her heart. She is sharing her life and her beliefs with me. She is letting me have a glimpse into her culture and how she sees the church. I’m so grateful to have this opportunity to listen and learn, and speak a little truth into the situation.

I’m probably not going to change Anita’s beliefs or her worldview in this one conversation. That takes lots of trust and relationship and time. But I can show her a different side of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. I can be different. I can show her what it means to remain a believer and a follower of Jesus, but also accept and affirm that she feels hurt and betrayed by the church. Instead of taking a defensive stance, I can take a loving one.
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Loving my neighbor today meant listening and entering into an open-door question that led us to a truly sacred conversation.