Hello, I’m glad you’ve come here. I'm Bonita Eby, a leader who experienced ministry burnout and compassion fatigue. As a retired pastor, Burnout Prevention Consultant and certified coach, I passionately support pastors, ministry leaders, boards and churches to prevent burnout.

I know what it's like to lead hundreds of people in a church, train leaders, equip volunteers, and present the Sunday message. I've responded to crises, comforted the dying and cared for their loved ones.

With over 25 years of experience in professional healthcare, leadership development and pastoral ministry, I help churches, organizations, and pastors thrive.

The pressures of ministry

Church staff pour themselves into caring for their congregations and communities. But who cares for you?

The pressures of ministry can leave pastors feeling overextended, stressed, and exhausted. Pastors and ministry leaders are resigning due to burnout more than ever before. But it doesn't have to be that way.

As a pastor who has overcome ministry burnout and compassion fatigue, I am on a mission to end burnout.

Consulting services for leadership & elder boards

I partner with you to address the challenges your board, pastoral staff and church face.

Consulting Services

Workshops & training

Workshops provide customized, high-quality training and resources to ministry leaders, churches, boards and church conferences to support burnout prevention.

Ask about pastor burnout prevention and compassion fatigue training for credentialing and ordination.

Our workshops

Affordable support for ministry leaders

Pastoral ministry can be stressful. While pastors, church staff, and volunteers passionately care for their congregations, chronic stress may lead to compassion fatigue or burnout. But there is help.

Become a healthy ministry leader, build a healthy church.

Healthy pastors build healthy churches. Ministry can be filled with joy and meaning one day and be overwhelming the next. By fostering mental and spiritual health, church leaders can enjoy longevity in ministry.

Take the stress out of ministry.

There are many reasons why pastors burn out. Pastors are expected to wear many hats, including counsellor, mentor, leadership development coach, volunteer recruiter, trainer, worship leader, and teach the Sunday sermon. These unrealistic expectations can lead to physical, mental, and spiritual exhaustion.

Stress & burnout in the ministry.

Both full-time and part-time pastors have experienced stress and burnout at an accelerated rate throughout the pandemic. Their pressures have increased while their hours of sleep have decreased. As a result, pastors are in deep need of pastoral care.

Reasons why church leaders burn out.

Many factors lead to pastoral burnout. Some may include:

Being on-call 24 hours, seven days a week
Relational conflict with congregants or church leadership
Lack of support and delegation
Isolation
Lack of training and mentoring
Unrealistic job descriptions
Ministry cultures that expect pastors to respond to their every need
Lack of boundaries
Little time for family life or social connections outside of the church
Lack of self-care and personal time

Symptoms of ministry burnout.

The signs of burnout are many. In this article, you will learn burnout symptoms.

How to avoid pastor burnout?

While the issue of pastor burnout is prominent across Canada and the U.S.A., there is help. Having a retired pastor, certified coach or counsellor who understands the pressures of ministry can provide effective support. We were never meant to walk alone.

How to receive affordable coaching.

As an approved certified coach and care provider with Full Strength Network, you can request me as your coach.

You can receive up to twelve coaching sessions at an incredible discount with a low-cost membership. As a retired pastor, coach and Burnout Prevention Strategist, I understand what you are going through and provide you with the support and resources you need to thrive.

Learn more about me here.

Let’s get started.

Book your appointment today and get started on your road to thriving in ministry.

Book Appointment

Have questions?

If you would like to learn more, contact Bonita Eby for a free consultation.

Let's Connect

Bonita Eby is a Burnout Prevention Strategist, Executive Coach, and owner of Breakthrough Personal & Professional Development Inc., specializing in burnout prevention and wellness for organizations and individuals.

As a former pastor, she understands the challenges of ministry and walks alongside pastors, ministry leaders, churches and church conferences to prevent pastoral burnout.

Bonita is on a mission to end burnout. Get your free Burnout Assessment today.