Burned Out Survey
How Dry Is Your Well?
A Burnout Self-Assessment Tool
Over the past ten years the following clergy burn-out rating scale has been revised several times. It’s a simple inventory, and I am consistently amazed at how accurately it identifies those experiencing, or on their way to, burnout. I invite you to rate yourself.
CLERGY BURN-OUT INVENTORY (CBI)
Developed by Roy M. Oswald, The Alban Institute, Inc.
For each question, select the number (from 1 to 6) that best describes you.
Total of numbers selected:
0-32 Burnout not an issue
33-48 Bordering on burnout
49-64 Burnout a factor in my life
65-80 You are a victim of extreme burnout. Your life needs a radical change so you can regain your health and vitality.
Before going on, take a minute to fully absorb the meaning of your total score. If you have a score of forty or less, burnout is not really a factor in your life and ministry. If your stress and strain scores are of concern to you, you may want to focus more on the self-care strategies that deal with stress.
If you have a score of fifty or more, I recommend that you take seriously the impact that burnout is having on your ministry and primary relationships. The following reflection questions may help you focus:
- Because burnout usually creeps up on us unaware, recall the times when you were not experiencing this condition. What changes took place in your life and/or work to help bring this about?
- What are some options that could help to alleviate the symptoms of burnout?
- Who are the individuals or resources you can turn to help you reverse the burn-out trends in your life?
Oswald, Roy M. Clergy Self-Care: Finding A Balance for Effective Ministry. The Alban Institute, Inc., 1991. Print.
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