Christian leaders carry immense responsibility. They guide large groups of people and often feel guilty when they say no to helping someone. However, this consistent outpouring requires balance and intentional rest. Learning to rest well is essential for Christian leaders to sustain their spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional health. Resting well isn’t simply about taking breaks but embracing restorative practices rooted in faith, self-care, and biblical principles.
Cultivate Leadership Institute (CLI) has the resources to help you learn how to rest well and, in turn, increase your leadership abilities. CLI is a remote learning environment equipped to assist individuals in becoming mature, healthy leaders through instruction, training, and guidance. Many CLI leadership and development program graduates reported an improvement in their ability to rest and Sabbath after completing this course.
Here’s how Christian leaders can approach rest in a way that nourishes them holistically:
Understanding the Biblical Mandate for Rest
Rest is recommended and commanded by God in Scripture. The concept of Sabbath, rooted in the creation narrative (Genesis 2:2-3), demonstrates that God Himself rested after His work. This was not out of need but to set a pattern for humanity. For Christian leaders, this principle is essential. They must recognize that rest is part of God’s design and purpose for them. By practicing Sabbath rest, leaders acknowledge their dependence on God, setting aside time to rejuvenate their spirit and body. In his book The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath, Mark Buchanan states, “In a culture where busyness is a fetish and stillness is laziness, rest is sloth. But without rest, we miss the rest of God: the rest he invites us to enter more fully so that we might know him more deeply.”
Moreover, Jesus models the rhythm of work and rest. He consistently withdrew to quiet places to pray (Luke 5:16), showing that moments of solitude and rest are necessary even in ministry. By following Christ's example, Christian leaders can cultivate the discipline of retreat and reflection, ensuring that their rest is rooted in communion with God.
Prioritizing Physical and Mental Renewal
Leadership demands often lead to physical exhaustion as leaders balance pastoral care, administration, and personal responsibilities. While the spiritual aspects of rest are vital, physical and mental rest are equally important. Rest refers to more than just sleep; it also includes mentally resting and engaging in restorative activities. Prioritizing rest helps leaders maintain their physical health, ensuring they are healthy enough to continue serving. These renewing activities can include taking intentional time for hobbies, outdoor activities, and/or exercise. These practices activate the default mode network in our brains to restore our bodies, clear our minds, and release stress. Leaders must recognize that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), and caring for their physical health is a form of worship and stewardship.
Engaging in Emotional Restoration
Leadership in ministry is emotionally demanding. Christian leaders often deal with their members' pain, trauma, and spiritual struggles. This emotional labor can lead to burnout if not managed well. Engaging in a leadership development program like CLI, seeing a counselor, finding a spiritual director, and/or receiving mentorship provides a safe space to process the emotional toll of leadership.
Leaders can also engage in practices that nourish the mind, such as reading, journaling, and creative expression. These activities help leaders process their thoughts, reflect on their ministry, and gain new perspectives. Emotional rest also means setting healthy boundaries, learning to say "no" when necessary, and delegating tasks to avoid overcommitment. CLI teaches specific courses on boundary setting, which can help leaders in their emotional restoration.
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Spiritual Replenishment Through Prayer and Reflection
Spiritual renewal is at the heart of rest for Christian leaders. Resting well involves more than stepping away from work; it also includes drawing near to God. Times of personal prayer, meditating on Scripture, and reflective silence are crucial for spiritual restoration. Leaders need to create space to listen to God’s voice and reconnect with the source of their calling. In his book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World, John Mark Comer states, “...the solution to an overbusy life is not more time. It’s to slow down and simplify our lives around what really matters.”
Spiritual retreats, quiet days, or even simple morning devotions can offer spiritual nourishment. Leaders must guard their personal time with God as fiercely as they guard their time in ministry. By doing so, they can avoid spiritual dryness and remain connected to the wellspring of life that sustains them.
Embracing Community and Relationships
Rest also comes from relationships and community. Christian leaders, while often positioned as caregivers, must also be cared for by others. Trusted friendships, family, and fellow leaders can provide encouragement and companionship. In her book Invitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God's Transforming Presence, Ruth Haley Barton states, “The purpose of journeying together in spiritual friendship and spiritual community (whether there are just two of you or whether you are in a small group) is to listen to one another's desire for God, to nurture that desire in each other and to support one another in seeking a way of life that is consistent with that desire. ” Spending time with loved ones without the pressures of leadership responsibilities allows leaders to relax and rejuvenate in a different capacity, restoring their sense of self apart from their role. In healthy relationships, leaders find rest.
Conclusion
Rest is essential for Christian leaders to serve effectively and for the long haul. Leaders can model a healthy, sustainable rhythm of life by understanding and practicing Sabbath rest, prioritizing physical and mental rest, attending to emotional needs, nurturing spiritual vitality, and fostering life-giving relationships. In doing so, they honor God’s design for balance, avoid burnout, and remain spiritually vibrant, fully equipped to lead with grace and endurance. Join CLI today to learn more about how you can grow in your ability to rest well and improve your leadership skills!
References
Buchanan, M. (2007). The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath. Thomas Nelson Incorporated.
Comer, J. M. (2019). The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World. Crown Publishing Group.
Haley Barton, R. (2021). Invitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God's Transforming Presence. SPCK Publishing.
