Wayne Billington has been a victim of burnout. A few years ago while working in a high pressure role as a financial analyst in the CBD, Wayne decided to give more time to help the ministry at St Paul’s, Castle Hill.
It was the factor that led to his retrenchment and saw him temporarily leave the church.
The father of three, who has been a Christian since 1968, says he was simply unable to cope with the pressure of trying to balance work, church and his marriage.
“I was intensely focused on supporting our church community,” he says. “At the same time I was working full time in a high-pressure job – lots of hours and lots of pressure.”
“I became a member of parish council, leading the financial direction. I moved through council to the position of [Rector’s] warden.” Wayne was involved in ministry with church daily.
He and his family have been active members of St Paul’s since 1988. “I felt I had a lot of expertise, being the minister’s warden, being up there and noted by others in a …very high profile within the church, while still working full time,” he says.
“You ask the question ‘why me’?” he says. Wayne admits he struggled with ‘typical male issues’ of needing recognition for his good works. After being retrenched it took Wayne 12 months to re-evaluate his life. He resigned from his role as warden at church and looked for another full time job. It took many months before he secured another position and he had to accept a significant pay drop.
“After reflection, I was asking the wrong questions,” he says, explaining that only after realising God was in control of his life could he move forward and throw away his personal ambitions.
Wayne now works as a financial planner with a strong focus on dealing with people. He is getting back into ministry, but ‘not as aggressively’ as before.
“I have seen lay people and ordained people being worn down by the pressure. Life is a balance between work, church and family. Initially church was my prime focus. Looking back it was a significant experience.”