PERSFEKTIF KERJA YANG ALKITABIAH MENCEGAH BURNOUT

Abstract

Burnout has become a structural workplace phenomenon that is not limited to secular professions but also affects those in ecclesial ministry, raising the question of whether its root causes are purely psychological and managerial or also theological in nature. This study aims to formulate a biblical perspective on work as a preventive framework against burnout by examining worker burnout characteristics through psychological theory, exploring the biblical understanding of work as creation mandate and calling, and synthesizing both into an applicable theological proposition. The theoretical foundation rests on Maslach's three-dimensional burnout theory (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment), integrated with creation theology and Sabbath theology. This research employs a qualitative library research method combined with theological-hermeneutical interpretation of relevant biblical texts, using historical-grammatical exegesis and thematic-comparative analysis of secondary sources. The findings reveal that burnout is triggered not merely by quantitative workload but also by qualitative factors such as insufficient recognition and unhealthy work rhythms, while the historical reduction of vocation from a sacred calling into mere productivity ethics culminating in hustle culture has stripped work of its transcendent meaning. The study concludes that a biblical perspective on work, integrating creation theology and rest theology, functions preventively rather than merely curatively against burnout: creation theology restores transcendent meaning that guards against emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, while Sabbath theology restores an alternative standard of accomplishment that guards against reduced personal accomplishment, affirming rest as a legitimate expression of faithfulness to one's calling.