Pastor's Pastor: Breakaway pastors

This article is not addressed to dissident, offshoot pastors who have departed the faith to establish their own independent ministries.

Instead, I’m writing to continuously overworked, overstretched, overextended ministers whose typical response to successful pastoral ministry means doing more of the same with even greater diligence.

One of the greatest reasons for serious reflection about which activities bring success for pastoral ministry may be our inability to distinguish what busy works are less effective than others and discard them. If we fail to comprehend which functions do not make us successful, our only recourse for maintaining excellence is doing more of everything until we collapse under the weight of attempting too much.

Let’s face it: You probably need a serious breakaway. Of course, a few slackers exist in every profession, including ministry, whose self-starter disengaged years ago and who simply go through the motions of ministry—awaiting the glorious arrival of retirement. These few pastors have much greater potential for rusting out than for burning out. They don’t need a vacation; rather, they need a jump-start to re-envision their potential and to begin functioning at full speed.

On the other hand, the majority of pastors work hard—typically too hard. They need a breakaway. They need a vacation. They do not need one more thing to do. They need the rest, recuperation, restoration, relaxation, renewal, and revival that come only from a sabbatical. In fact, if more Sabbath-teaching pastors were really Sabbath-keeping believers, there would be much less burnout. We even cite Jesus’ mention of priests laboring in the temple without breaking the Sabbath commandment—in an effort to excuse our pastoral behavior of working harder on the Lord’s Day than any other day of the week.

In that same context, however, we forget Jesus’ example of regularly taking meaningful breakaways from His own ministry. And remember, Jesus took these breakaways in full advance knowledge from Daniel 9 that His public ministry would last only three and a half years. Busy as He was, Jesus regularly experienced specific breakaway opportunities.

Spiritual retreats. Although He was so exhausted from meeting the needs of the throngs that He even fell asleep in the bottom of a boat in stormy seas, Jesus also knew the necessity of engaging with heaven in spiritual retreats. Whether late at night or in all-night communion with God or arising a long while before dawn to pray, Jesus consistently experienced spiritual retreats for strength and guidance from His heavenly Father whose will He had come to earth to accomplish.

Social retreats.Jesus also enjoyed relaxing times with friends and family. Often He was present at celebrations, banquets, parties, and wedding feasts. In fact, He so often mixed with sinners that some accused Him of gluttony. He so often partied with sinners that some assumed He was a winebibber. Despite Jesus’ unsullied character, He repeatedly sought opportunities to mingle with individuals who quickly realized that His interested focus on their individual needs was as One who desired their good.

Recreational retreats.Sometimes the Savior took a day off just to have fun. He would go fishing with the disciples, enjoy a cookout on the beach, or relax in the fellowship of a hearty meal at the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. If Jesus was around, you knew you would enjoy a good time.

So, follow Jesus’ example. Become a breakaway pastor. Experience the blessings of spiritual, social, and recreational retreats. If a weekly day off isn’t your thing, then strive to schedule recurring week-long breaks. In my own ministry, I need a couple weeks’ breakaway just to become creative again. After several months of extended work, I find that the first few days of a two-week break bring restorative sleep and virtual mental inactivity as I unwind. Slowly, but surely, as my body rests and my mind clears, the creative process reawakens and I can begin to think in new ways, design fresh projects, and plan bright sermons, articles, or lectures. Creative ideas, which I could never have forced into an overextended schedule or into an overcrowded mind, spring up with surprising freshness once I am rested.

Returned missionary Denele Ivins describes some specifi c tips for planning such a personal breakaway*:

Admit your need for rest. There is no shame in being tired because you are serving others. You are only human.

Put it on the calendar. Once you determine your need for rest, schedule a date on the calendar before it fills up. Stick to it!

Get the support of your family, friends, and members. Share why you need a retreat and ask your friends to pray for you through the process. Recognize that your spouse may carry an extra load while you retreat, so be prepared to reciprocate during your spouse’s renewal opportunity.

Resist taking someone along. A personal retreat sounds like such a good idea that others who hear your plan will want to join you. Keep it solo for maximum renewal effectiveness while encouraging others to schedule their own.

Don’t feel guilty.While it is true that you are leaving behind needs and tasks, the unselfish thing to do is to make being renewed a priority. You will return strengthened for the tasks at hand.

Customize your retreat. Think through what restful means for you. Rustic or luxurious? Active or quiet? Mountains, ocean, or desert? Near or far? Include the nature element. The heavens do declare His glory, and the great outdoors provides the perfect setting in which to be renewed.

Take advantage of resources.Check with your colleagues for retreat venues in your area designed especially for ministry workers. These are usually lower-cost and sometimes offer counseling and other resources. Think creatively. Consider off season church camps, a friend’s cabin, or a place you’d like to visit.

Address the whole person. Include elements of rest and renewal for your body, mind, and soul. Visit a museum, attend a ball game, read a book, take a walk, or ride a riverboat. Just do it!

Take a well-stocked tool chest. Go prepared with your Bible, devotional book, hymnal, and journal. Pack lighter reading and favorite snacks. Retreat is not the time to fast—or even diet.

Have great expectations. Expect God to meet you in a special way. He specializes in giving rest to the weary and just asks us to come!