Encouragement

The following article originally appeared in the September 2025 issue of the Horizon Newsletter of the Wyoming Southern Baptist Mission Network. Used by permission of author and WSBMN).

LARAMIE, WY- Last week I was having a conversation with a group of leaders about burnout and it led to a staggering question: “Why do seemingly good leaders make catastrophically bad moral choices?” As we discussed the warning signs of burnout; exhaustion, disconnection, and subtle withdrawal from relationships. We noticed that a troubling pattern presented itself. The same conditions that lead to burnout often proceed something far more devastating; moral failure.

It seems we can’t go more than 90 days in evangelical life without hearing about another massive moral failure from someone we held in a position of esteem. Aside from a reminder that we need to be careful in placing any person on too high a pedestal, lest we experience greater disappointment at their shortcomings, we don’t often think about what often contributes to the failure itself. While it is easy, and theologically accurate to draw a straight vibrant line between our nature as sinful creatures and moral failure, people rarely make mistakes merely because they are sinful. It is my contention, and has been my experience that men (and I assume this is largely true for women as well) make mistakes because we lack two important things: Margin and Community.

What is margin? Simply put, margin in space; space emotionally, spiritually, physically, relationally to breath, rest, reset and reconnect with ourselves, God, and those most important to us. When we lack margin, we end up tired, stressed out, burned out, and what I describe as “thin” emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. “Thin” things are permeable, they break easily. This is true for physical and inanimate things, and true for us spiritually as well. When we are “thin” moral failure is far more likely.

While lack of margin is a contributing factor in moral failure, lack of community is equally troubling. Pastors are often the first people in the building on Sunday and the last people to leave. They have more conversations with individuals and families than anyone else, and are the people others most want to visit with. And yet, they are also most likely to have few deep relationships than other congregants. Pastors have the same deep and abiding need for accountable community as anyone, but they are lacking in that area. Many (or should we say most) men lack accountable community in the form of vulnerable male relationships, and regular responsibility to others. As with margin, when we lack this type of community moral failure is far more likely.

As dangerous as lacking either margin or community are individually the combined lack of both can make us easy pickings for an enemy that is often roaming around like a lion seeking whom he may devour.

So what are we to do? As with most things in life, the antidote is ALWAYS action. If you find yourself in a thin place, and lacking community commit to the following:

1. RECOGNIZE failure is a possibility. All men are capable of all things. If you think you aren’t capable of moral failure, self-harm, destructive leadership you are less likely to guard against such things. Recognize you are capable and take steps to ensure this won’t happen in your life.
2. REPENT of isolation and pride. I know that we like to see ourselves as these super sufficient, and independent folks, but what often masquerades as self-sufficiently is merely our tendency toward isolation and pride. Repent, ask for God’s help in seeking community with others.
3. REST regularly. I heard a Pastor say once that Satan never takes a day off so neither does he. Last time I checked Satan wasn’t our role model, and we have a good God who modeled and gave Sabbath to us for our benefit, and to remind us that we aren’t God.
4. RECALIBRATE your rhythms. Have you organized your life in a way that is conducive to Margin and Community? What may you need to start saying “no” to so that rest and community may flourish?
5. RECONNECT in your important relationships and community. Spend regular “time” with your spouse and make vulnerable and accountable community an important part of your life.

The work we do is too important a task to allow lack of margin and community to derail our mission, lest we fall and join the ranks of disqualified leaders. Stay the course, guard your heart.

Matt Maestas lives in Laramie Wyoming and serves as the South Region Missionary for the Wyoming Southern Baptist Mission Network. He is a coach and mentor to several pastors and church planters around Wyoming and the west. He, his wife, Jessica and their large, happy family love the churches in the west and often seek to experience the beauty of the area God has placed them to serve.