The Power of Sabbath Rest: Why Pastors Need to Prioritize Their Own Spiritual Health
Sabbath rest. Ahh, the sound of it oozes with anticipation and desire, yet the practice of it is elusive and often disappointing. When thinking about sabbath rest, there are two concepts to consider. First is a weekly designated time for sabbath rest. The second is an extended period away from the day-in, day-out demands of ministry… a sabbatical. I’ll address both of those forms of sabbath rest.
Regardless of the time designated for sabbath, it is primarily intended for soul rest and renewal. It is an opportunity for counter-formation to push back against cultural influences that undermine the image of God in us. Sabbath rest is meant to allow ministry leaders to pull back from their responsibilities and focus on personal spiritual well-being… for a day or several weeks.
The power of a sabbath is reflected in soul rest and renewal:
- Individualized Approach: Sabbath rest should be tailored to your needs and preferences. This can include activities like travel, reading, spending time with family, or simply catching up on sleep. This applies to a day of rest during the week or longer sabbaticals. It does not include sermon prep or pastoral/sacerdotal duties.
- Reconnecting with God: Sabbath rest provides a time to reconnect with God without the interruptions of ministry. Dare I say unplug the cellphone and laptop. Practice silence and solitude as you fix your eyes on Jesus.
- Addressing Spiritual Health: Sabbath rest equips you to confront fleshly responses as you suit up for spiritual battles. A weary soldier is more susceptible to spiritual attack.
- Rest from Striving: Sabbath rest allows both the church and you to recognize that God is in control. This brings a freedom from the striving and worry that comes from thinking everything depends on your own work.
- Re-evaluation: Sabbath rest should be a time to re-frame present context, recalibrate personal well-being, and reignite a passion for future ministry.
- Renewed Mental Health: Both regular (weekly) and extended time (months) away from the cause of stress and burnout is necessary for recovery. Vacations are good but often not long enough for pastors to fully recover from fatigue or secondary trauma that occur in the church. The power of sabbath rest is healing.
True or False:
___ Sabbath rest is a valuable time of renewal and growth for pastors.
___ Times of sabbath rest can provide needed perspective and spiritual refreshing.
___ I am convinced of the power of sabbath rest.
If all these are true, what will you do for your sabbath rest? Will you take a day off each week and consecrate it to the Lord? Will you request a sabbatical? How will you plug into the power of sabbath rest? Whatever you can do, may the Lord infuse you with hope and wisdom to continue the work he has before you. If you can prioritize your spiritual health and well-being, you can watch God use you in immeasurably more impactful ways.
Author: Dr Eric Willis offers ministry leader encouragement and sabbatical coaching through the ministry at www.ReclaimLeadership.org.
