Dear Small Church Pastor,
Rest, ah, rest. What an elusive term for the small church pastor. As the one person who is tasked with making sure the congregation moves forward, you are often placed in the position of never getting any rest. Or at least that seems to be the case. However, I assure you that rest is possible, and I also assure you that it is necessary if you want to maintain your health—physically, mentally, emotionally and especially, spiritually.
I know the temptation to not stop. I completely understand the pressures that come from all sides. I have already been down that street and have long ago used that t-shirt for a grease rag.
Your personal rest is probably more important to the health of your congregation than you realize. If the shepherd is exhausted, the sheep will not be cared for as much as they should be. The best pasture or safest watering hole may be overlooked. The wolves might even begin to draw near to the sheepfold because the shepherd is not as alert as possible and may not be completely aware of what’s happening in the surroundings of the flock.
You know about and have probably taught your people the need for the Sabbath’s rest in their lives. I admonish you to walk your own talk in this matter. You must—YOU MUST—get regular rest. You need it just as much as they do. Just like your congregants, if you are tired all the time, you will not be at the top of your game as their pastor. Again–You must get regular rest.
Now, how can you accomplish that? First, go back and re-read Letter #1. Next, make up your mind that you are going to get some regular rest. (You won’t take action unless you decide to take action.) Then, with all the love and grace you can muster, tell your congregation which day of the week you have chosen for your day of rest. Finally, take it!
Arrange for one or two of your leaders to handle necessary items on your day of rest. Let the people know who they should call on your day of rest, and place your trust in them to be leaders that day. I promise you, the church will not disintegrate if you take a day off. If an emergency arises, deal with it if you absolutely have to, and then go back to your rest. (Even an ox that had fallen into a ditch was rescued on the Sabbath.)
Let your day of rest be a special day when you relax, refresh your own relationship with God and enjoy the simple pleasures of family and friends. Take a nap or two. Turn off the screens—all of them—and sit in the yard or on your porch with a glass of tea or a cup of coffee and let the ice melt and the cup get cold as you take in all the majesty of the world God has created.
Open your mind to listen to the Holy Spirit as He speaks to you in the silence. Pick up that book you’ve been meaning to start and start it. If you’re a fast reader, you might even finish it in one day. Listen to some good music without answering the phone. Make some homemade ice cream and gather your family to enjoy your creation.
As you enjoy this day of rest, focus on doing things you know will calm your mental, emotional and spiritual self. Avoid things that make you feel more physically tired at the end of the day than they are worth. Remember, this is a day to rejuvenate yourself in every area of your life.
You may be saying to yourself that you don’t see how it is possible you could take a Sabbath’s rest during the week. You’re wrong in that thought. My friend, you are not the one who is in ultimate control of this universe. If your church falls apart because you are not present for one day a week, then the place you call “church” is not being built by Jesus. I don’t mean to sound hard here, but no one person is completely indispensable to a congregation every day of the week.
You can set aside a day, and you need to do so, because you won’t last in ministry if you don’t get the rest you need. You’ll burn out. You’ll be consumed by the responsibilities and pressures. You’ll find yourself resenting the phone calls and texts. You’ll begin to wonder if you really were called into ministry as you become more and more exhausted from all the activities and questions and crises and problems and meetings—all that everything stuff.
This letter is a little longer than most, but you need to understand just how important getting a day of rest is to your ministry. Your enthusiasm will be re-energized. Your clarity in thought will become focused again. Your commitment to God’s work will be renewed. Your emotions will come under control. Your spirit will be built up by God’s spirit. Your body will not feel as worn out. Your whole self will be a better person for the people who follow your guidance as their shepherd.
“Remember the Sabbath day.” Rest.
Sincerely,
A Small Church Pastor