Encouraging Rest for Busy Pastors

I’ve been a pastor for twenty years. In the last two decades, the demands on pastors for their time, energy, and expectations to be a fluent leader in multiple disciplines has increased exponentially. While I can’t attest to every reason this is the case, it certainly has to do with the likes of social media influences, increasing mistrust in institutions, culture wars, COVID leadership dynamics, decision-fatigue, and social division. Even without all of these 21st century factors, we know that ministry is demanding work. Paul said as much to Timothy 2,000 years ago:

¹⁰ For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. (I Timothy 4:10)

In this post, I’m not setting out to solve the issues. That’s for thought leaders much more capable than me. But the situation is what it is. And because of that, pastors and ministry leaders need regular restoration. Here are just a few ideas.

Words of affirmation – In marriage, parenting, staff supervision, and leadership, people need to hear more praise than critique. That’s how your team will know you are for them. Are you known as a Barnabas or an Eeyore? Think Ephesians 4:29:

²⁹ Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Extra time off – I’m really not a fan of “comp time” in ministry—the practice of giving time off to match the extra hours someone worked beyond what was originally agreed upon. That gets too rigid and discourages doing whatever it takes. If you know your staff or your pastor, you know if they are tired. Offer them a morning off after a hard weekend or trip, a day off when they’ve worked a heavy season, or a few bonus days of vacation if you think it could help. If you don’t know when they need these breaks, set up systems of communication and accountability to ensure your ear is to the ground.

A handwritten note – This has become a lost art. When a person gets a thoughtful, handwritten note, they immediately recognize that you spent time to encourage them. It’s deeply personal, especially when the words are meaningfully crafted and not in rote form.

A thoughtful gift – Careful here, this can have tax implications, especially if you just dole out gift cards as staff appreciation. But if you have some type of reimbursable expense account, you can buy someone a book, a thoughtful gift that speaks to their interests, or an experience that will help restore their soul.

A nice lunch or dinner – Want a quick encouragement? Take your hard-working team member out for a meal at a nicer restaurant in your area. A steak or salmon does a body good! Don’t talk work. Just chat. Ask more personal questions. Express your appreciation. This takes about two hours of your time and $50-60 of your resources. A quick and cheap investment.

Personal retreats – Just 2-3 days off once per year to study, plan, pray, fast, and prepare goes a long way. I’ve done a few of these over the years and have come back with fresh ideas and even life-changing direction from the Lord! You may be interested in these sites here, here, here, here, and here listing free or low-cost retreat locations for ministers and missionaries. I just finished a week of vacation at one I found called Eden Ridge Missionary Retreat Center. This retreat center, between Knoxville and Nashville, TN, will blow your mind. The facilities are beautiful, clean, and updated. The staff and volunteers are caring and helpful. The discounted prices are very doable. And the setting is inspiring and refreshing. I’ll definitely be back!

Or, if you want a first class, “most expenses paid” getaway, check out The Harvest Foundation.

Sabbaticals – Typically taken after 5-7 years of consistent ministry, sabbaticals can be a tool to encourage intense dedicated rest, leadership investments, spiritual growth, and relational renewal. There are a hundred ways to do this, and you probably want your guidelines written in an official church policy. We just instituted one at our church, and if you want to know more, I’d be happy to get on a call to help you know what I learned as we developed it.

There you go. This is by no means an exhaustive list. I’m sure you have other ideas. Share them in a comment below or post a comment on BSP social media.