Sleep, Sabbath, and Sabbaticals: Dear pastor, you need to rest.
Since the pandemic, pastoral burnout has been on the rise in America. In 2022, 42% of American pastors confessed they were seriously thinking about quitting ministry, and though there is evidence of a slight improvement in the last 2 years, this should serve as a warning. Burnout is very real.
With twelve years of ministry experience, I aspire to continue serving for the rest of my life. Turning 40 this year prompts me to reflect on sustainable rhythms and disciplines that will help me endure in pastoral ministry faithfully. Although I may initially resist the idea, I believe that sufficient rest is crucial for longevity in this demanding field.
I understand that this is no new revelation. We all know we should rest, after all, not only did God model the importance of rest (Gen. 2:2-3) but he also commanded us to rest (Ex.20:8-10). In the New Testament, Jesus himself modeled taking intentional times of rest in prayer and at times even napping. So my purpose in writing this is primarily to remind you of things you already know. If you’re a pastor reading this, chances are you’ve preached on the topic of rest or sabbath, but have a hard time implementing it in your life.
In a world that idolizes productivity and optimization, rest feels counterintuitive. After all, since the fall of man, every human desires to be self-sufficient and autonomous. True biblical rest on the other hand, demands an acknowledgment of our limitations. The challenge we face as pastors is that most of the things fighting for our time are good or God things. So in order to rest, we have to learn to say no to good things.
The challenge we face as pastors is that most of the things fighting for our time are good or God things. So in order to rest, we have to learn to say no to good things.
Whether you are a brand new church planter, the pastor of a megachurch, or anything in between, there will always be good things demanding your time. There is always a new ministry opportunity, speaking engagement, or counseling crisis knocking at your door. These are all great things, and saying no to any of them feels wrong. While not neglecting the responsibilities God has given you, one of the most spiritual things you can do at times is to say no.
One of the challenges we face as pastors is that we have to fight for rest, which might feel selfish. Telling people you need a break or a nap might feel self-serving, but rest is a theological statement, and so is the lack of it. When we rest, we are reminded God is sovereign and we are not. When we rest, we acknowledge our limitations. Our saying no to ministry opportunities can also communicate a trust in the church. After all, we are part of a body, and there are times when we need to remind ourselves that our rest provides ministry opportunities to others.
Having stated the difficulties of rest, I have three reminders for you to fight for:
Sleep
Depending on your personality, your relationship with sleep might be distorted in one of two ways: you might be one of those people that views sleep as a waste of time or as laziness and avoids it at all costs. Or you might be on the opposite side of the spectrum where your temptation is to indulge in sleep more than you should. Sleep however is not only a physiological necessity but a spiritual one as well. And while the Bible encourages us to rest, it also condemns laziness and idleness.
Notice that in Mark 4, when we find Jesus napping, his sleep was not a mark of weakness or laziness but a mark of a peace that flowed from a total confidence in God. His sleep is meant to show the contrast with the restlessness and lack of faith of the disciples. Could Jesus have used his time on the boat to teach, counsel, disciple, or strategize with his disciples? Yes, but he instead decided to teach them a theological lesson they would never forget by sleeping in the middle of a crisis. Dear pastor, I encourage you to take naps and to go to bed early. Trust that God will accomplish his purposes while you rest.
Could Jesus have used his time on the boat to teach, counsel, disciple, or strategize with his disciples? Yes, but he instead decided to teach them a theological lesson they would never forget by sleeping in the middle of a crisis.
Sabbath
I am thankful that in the last decade much ink has been spilled on the topic of Sabbath, so instead of giving you a theological explanation of Sabbath, I will instead ask you a couple of accountability questions:
Are you Sabbathing? Do you have a clear time or ritual to mark the beginning or end of your Sabbath?
How are you modeling to those around you what Sabbathing is?
Would your family know that you Sabbath? Would your congregation know that you Sabbath?
Are you actually resting while you Sabbath?
If you would like to learn more about the importance of Sabbath and grow in your implementation of this command, I recommend Justin Whitmel Earley’ s book The Common Rule, and Pete Scazzero’s chapters on Sabbath in his book The Emotionally Healthy leader.
Sabbaticals
This last reminder is a little different in nature than the first two. Rest is clearly a Biblical command and one that is modeled for us in Scripture, and the Sabbath is a command. The topic of sabbaticals on the other hand is not one where I can point to a verse or a direct command, but it is one I believe is healthy and can help us in the longevity of our ministry. The topic of sabbaticals stands apart from the previous two discussions on rest and the Sabbath. While the importance of rest and observing the Sabbath is explicitly commanded in the Bible, sabbaticals are not directly mentioned as such in Scripture. However, there are principles and examples in Scripture that support the idea of taking periodic breaks from our regular ministerial duties. For instance, in the Old Testament, the concept of the Sabbath year (Leviticus 25) provides a precedent for setting aside a specific time for rest and rejuvenation. Similarly, Jesus' withdrawal to solitary places for prayer and reflection (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16) demonstrates the value of creating space for spiritual renewal.
While sabbaticals may not be explicitly commanded in Scripture, there are compelling reasons to embrace them as a vital part of our ministerial journey. Firstly, sabbaticals offer a much-needed opportunity for rest and renewal. The demands of ministry can be all-consuming, leading to burnout and diminished effectiveness. Taking a sabbatical allows ministers to step away from their regular responsibilities, recharge their batteries, and return refreshed and revitalized.
Sabbaticals provide an avenue for personal and professional growth. During a sabbatical, ministers have the time and space to engage in activities that nourish their minds, hearts, and spirits. This could include reading, writing, traveling, or pursuing hobbies and interests that have been neglected due to the busyness of ministry. Such experiences can lead to renewed creativity, enhanced skills, and a broader perspective on life and ministry.
Sabbaticals can foster a deeper connection with God. By intentionally setting aside time for spiritual renewal, pastors can encounter God in a fresh and transformative way. This can lead to a renewed sense of calling, a deeper understanding of Scripture, and a more intimate relationship with God.
Lastly, sabbaticals can contribute to the sustainability of our ministries. By taking regular breaks, ministers can prevent burnout and extend the longevity of their service. Furthermore, sabbaticals can help ministers maintain a healthy work-life balance, leading to improved overall well-being and personal relationships.
It's important to note that implementing sabbaticals in our ministries may require careful planning and consideration. I understand I am writing this from a position of privilege in that my church is able to provide a sabbatical for our pastors. Factors such as the size of the church, the availability of staff, and financial resources need to be taken into account. When I visit churches in Latin America for example, Sabbaticals are not only unheard of, but they are also extremely difficult for churches to offer because of finances and staff shortages. However, with creativity, commitment, and church partnerships, churches can find ways to make sabbaticals a reality for their ministers.
If your church doesn’t currently have a rhythm of sabbaticals, I want to share what my church has in place, hoping this might inspire your board of elders to think through what this might look like for your team.
At Trinity Community Church, our elders introduced a seven-year plan to provide pastors with sabbaticals. For every year a pastor works at Trinity, they earn a week of sabbatical leave and $500, which are set aside exclusively for their time of rest. After seven years, pastors will have seven weeks of sabbatical leave and a substantial amount of money to help them be able to leave the city and get away from ministry responsibilities if they so choose.
Pastors do not have to wait seven years to take a sabbatical. They can use the accrued weeks whenever they like. For example, I am planning to take a sabbatical next summer, after only four years. This means I will have accumulated four weeks of leave and $2,000.
The timing of the sabbatical is left to the discretion of the pastor and their family. However, after seven years, if a pastor has not taken a sabbatical, they are required to do so. After taking a sabbatical, the clock resets.
This is just an example of how Trinity Community Church implements sabbaticals. It is not a model that every church must follow. However, the hope is that this information will encourage other churches to consider the importance of sabbaticals and implement their plans.
Again, while sabbaticals are not directly commanded in Scripture, there are strong biblical principles and examples that support their value. By embracing sabbaticals as a vital part of our ministerial journey, we can experience renewed strength, personal growth, a deeper connection with God, and a more sustainable ministry.
Conclusion
As pastors these are uncomfortable conversations to initiate with our team precisely because it feels self-serving. But if we are aiming towards longevity in ministry, it is important that we are willing to have these awkward conversations with our elders and congregation. By doing this, we are making a profound theological statement about God’s sovereignty while also being good stewards of our bodies and ministries for the glory of God.