How do pastors pour themselves out for others without losing their own soul?

In Part 2 of this conversation, Ben Cachiaras reflects on the dangers of achievement addiction, the symptoms of ministry at an unsustainable pace, and the practices that helped him and his staff find a healthier rhythm of life and leadership. From numbing emotions to creating a staff-wide REST policy, Ben shares the hard-won lessons of thriving in ministry without losing holy ambition.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• The signs of burnout pastors often minimize or ignore
• Why achievement can become an addiction in ministry
• Creating a culture of health through the REST policy
• Holding urgency for the gospel and soul care in tension

⏱️ Timestamps:

02:00 – Ben’s story of overcommitment and achievement addiction

07:00 – Symptoms of burnout: numbness, resentment, escapes

13:00 – When staff intervention became a turning point

19:00 – False dichotomies of soul care vs. gospel urgency

25:00 – How Mountain Church institutionalized rest

31:00 – REST policy: relax, exercise, social, time with God

35:00 – Final reflections and resources

Thriving in ministry doesn’t mean abandoning holy ambition—it means learning the rhythm of pouring yourself out and allowing God to fill you back up.