The Importance of Establishing Rhythms of Leading and Not Leading in Ministry

As pastors, we often find ourselves in a relentless cycle of preaching, leading, and managing the many responsibilities that come with pastoring a church.

This summer, I decided to step back from preaching and took a 12-week sabbatical from preaching.

This wasn’t just a random break—it was a carefully planned period of focused work on projects, rest, reflection, and renewal.

Here’s what I learned about the importance of establishing rhythms of leading and not leading in ministry.

Planning Ahead for a Preaching Sabbatical

When I decided to take a break from preaching, I knew it had to be done with intentionality. I planned the sermon series well in advance, ensuring that the topics and themes would be in alignment with the life of our church.

Instead of simply filling up the preaching schedule, we were thoughtful about who we selected as guest speakers. This year, we chose all local speakers who were not only capable but also aligned with the series’ purpose.

Their messages were meant to build on what we’ve been working through together as a church.

The length of my preaching sabbatical was 12 weeks, which, to be honest, felt long for me.

However, I had a dissertation to finish, speaking engagements to prepare for, and travel commitments. I realized I couldn’t give my best to preaching during this season, so I planned accordingly, setting this time apart at the beginning of the year.

It’s important to note that my current church has had a summer guest speaker series since before I arrived, and I have kept it up.

Additionally, before we planned this summer preaching sabbatical, I got the support of my staff, elder team, and conference administration.

The Benefits of a Preaching Sabbatical

Taking a break from preaching didn’t mean taking a break from my duties of being a pastor and church life. I was still present at every staff meeting, elders’ meeting, and church service.

However, not having the weight of preaching each week allowed me to focus on other vital aspects of ministry.

Here’s what I discovered:

• To be at my best, I need to take a break. Preaching week in and week out can be exhausting. I preach twice every Saturday, and it gets exhausting. This break was a reminder that I need to incorporate a rhythm of not leading into my regular routine to continue to find joy in ministry.
• It gave me time to pay attention to the organizational health of the church: With the time I usually spent on sermon preparation, I was able to focus more on the organizational and team health of our church. I was able to spend time having conversations with leaders and staff as to how we could improve things.
• It allowed me to be fully present in the church: Without the pressure of preaching, I was able to be fully present during our Sabbath services. I could spend time talking with church members without needing to walk off to do sound checks or look over my sermon notes. I could worship and engage with the congregation in a way that I often miss when I’m preaching. My soul was fed and edified by the sermons of others, which renewed my spirit.
• I was able to experience church like everyone else: Listening to others preach and observing the service from a different perspective allowed me to take notes and identify areas that needed attention. It was an opportunity to see our church through fresh eyes. And it fed my soul to hear good preaching.
• It gave me time to focus on other projects God has called me to: God has called me to various projects beyond preaching, and this sabbatical provided the time and space I needed to focus on them. Whether it was finishing my dissertation or preparing for upcoming presentations, I was able to give these projects the attention they required.

The Weight of Weekly Preaching

Preaching every week is a heavy responsibility. It’s not just about delivering a message; it’s about carrying the spiritual weight of guiding a church.

This sabbatical reminded me of the importance of setting aside time for rest and renewal, not just for my sake but for the sake of my church as well.

I realize that it might not be feasible for everyone to take a 12-week sabbatical, but here are some ways to schedule smaller breaks into your year and build soul resilience.

• Pay attention to your preaching schedule. I have found that I am good for preaching 4-5 weeks in a row. Everything after that, just feels like pushing a boulder uphill. Discern and define your preaching rhythm and then schedule for being at your best.
• Schedule as far ahead as possible. Many pastors schedule their preaching calendar before each new year begins. This helps to provide margin in your life because you know what you are preaching ahead of time and do not have to come up with some every week.
• Preach in a Series. This helps you be intentional about themes and needs for your church. This can also help you work far ahead. There will be times when you come across an illustration, a study note, or a thought about a sermon that you are preaching 5 months in the future, and you can save those thoughts in the proper document. Which leads me to the next point.
• Have a good process for organizing your sermon series. I currently use Scrivner to write and organize my sermons. You can organize each series, notes, and research into folders, and you can access everything all in one app. Yes, you can do this using note apps like Evernote, Google Docs, etc. But I have found that Scrivner allows me to access everything in one window pane. In full disclosure, I use this app for everything I write.

Sports research shows that athletes must do two things with their training if they want to improve and grow stronger.

They need sessions where they train hard, and they must schedule times of rest and recovery. It is only by doing this that they can reach their optimum form. This is also true of pastoral ministry. It is important to schedule times of rest and recovery. While our work is not physically strenuous, our work is emotionally and spiritually taxing.

If you want to enjoy ministry over the long haul, you must schedule times of rest and recovery.

Find What Works Best for You

Incorporating rhythms of leading and not leading is crucial for sustaining joy in ministry.

It’s about recognizing that we cannot pour into others if we are running on empty.

This sabbatical has been a profound reminder that stepping back, even for a season, can lead to greater growth, both personally and within the church.

I encourage you to consider how you can establish these rhythms in your own ministry, allowing for periods of rest that will ultimately strengthen your leadership and your congregation.