Last year, my church graciously granted me my first sabbatical. I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity, and I wanted to take a few moments to explain why a sabbatical matters—not just for me but for any pastor. This article isn’t about burnout horror stories or some “woe is me” tale. It’s a biblical reflection on rest, ministry, and the weight of caring for souls.

Here’s where we’re headed:

• First, we’ll examine the biblical foundation for rest, tracing it back to the very beginning of creation.
• Second, we’ll see how even Jesus himself modeled intentional rest.
• Third, I’ll share some of the unique burdens pastors carry beyond what most people see.
• Finally, we’ll connect the dots and discuss how a sabbatical serves as an extended, necessary soul rest for pastors and their families.

The Biblical Foundation for Rest

From the very first pages of Scripture, God weaves rest into the fabric of creation. After six days of creative work, “God rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done” (Genesis 2:2). Did God need to rest? Of course not. But He set a pattern for humanity for a rhythm of work and rest.

Later, God commands His people to observe the Sabbath. It wasn’t given to be a burden but a gift: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). The weekly rhythm of rest wasn’t just about physical recovery; it was about spiritual health, trust, and dependence on God.

This biblical principle extends beyond one day a week. Throughout Scripture, we see rest built into the calendar of God’s people whether through Sabbath years, Jubilee celebrations, or simply the invitation to slow down and trust God’s provision.

If God Himself established rhythms of rest, and Jesus affirmed that rest was made for our good, it makes sense that pastors, like all believers, should embrace those rhythms.

Even Jesus Rested

It’s easy to forget, but Jesus, the ultimate servant, took intentional time to rest. His entire earthly ministry was marked by pouring Himself out for others: healing the sick, teaching the crowds, confronting sin, and ultimately laying down His life. However, even amid all that, Jesus modeled the importance of rest and spiritual renewal.

In Mark 6:31, after a busy season of ministry, Jesus told His disciples, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” It wasn’t weakness; it was wisdom. Jesus Himself withdrew from the crowds, not because He didn’t care, but because He knew that spiritual and physical replenishment was necessary to serve others well.

Luke 5:16 tells us, “But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” Even the Son of God made time to be alone with the Father, away from the constant demands of ministry.

If Jesus—the perfect, sinless, all-powerful One—needed rest from the crowds, time for prayer, and space for renewal, how much more do pastors need that same rhythm?

The Heavyweight of Pastoral Ministry

Please hear me clearly; pastoral ministry is a tremendous privilege. I’ve walked with people through their baptisms, officiated weddings filled with joy, celebrated victories over addiction, and seen lives transformed by the gospel. Some moments make this work deeply rewarding.

But there’s another side to pastoral life that isn’t always visible. This is the constant, often quiet weight of caring for souls.

Hebrews 13:17 reminds pastors of this sobering reality: “They are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.” That responsibility isn’t simply administrative. It’s profoundly spiritual and emotional.

A few months ago, I had a week where four different people shared weighty burdens with me. Two of them involved painful stories of childhood abuse. Other weeks bring news of marriages on the brink, wayward children breaking their parents’ hearts, or families blindsided by a cancer diagnosis or sudden death.

A good pastor listens, but he also carries those burdens. Like a parent walking with an adult child through deep struggles, you feel the weight even when you’re not directly involved. And because of confidentiality, pastors often carry these things alone. It’s not about the number of hours worked but the constant emotional and spiritual load that comes with soul care.

Sadly, the weight takes its toll. Statistics show that the average pastor stays at a church for only about 4 to 5 years, often due to burnout or discouragement. Even more concerning, around 1,500 pastors leave the ministry each month, and burnout is one of the leading causes. Many step away, not because they don’t love God or people, but because the ongoing weight without adequate seasons of rest becomes unsustainable.

And sometimes, that weight disrupts life in unexpected ways. I’ve been contacted multiple times on vacation with news of a severe diagnosis or the death of a loved one. There have been times when I’ve had to leave dinner with my family to respond to a crisis. Thankfully, those moments are rare. But they’re real.

All of this is part of the calling. But, like any calling, it requires space to breathe, process, and rest.

Sabbatical: A Season of Soul Rest

The word sabbatical is rooted in the same biblical concept as Sabbath. It’s an extended period of intentional rest from work but also from the constant mental and emotional weight of ministry.

A sabbatical isn’t about escaping responsibility. It is temporarily stepping back so the soul can be replenished. It’s a time for pastors to refresh their relationship with God, invest deeply in their families, and return to ministry with renewed energy and clarity.

For pastors, even Sundays aren’t truly restful. I love worshiping with my church, but Sundays for a pastor are filled with responsibilities: preaching, counseling, answering questions, and walking people through struggles. 

I’ve often heard it said that a pastor’s wife is like a single mom on Sundays. That may be an exaggeration, but there’s truth in it. Shannon and I sit together for the singing, but my mind and heart are often pulled in many directions.

A sabbatical offers something rare: weeks where my family and I can worship together, without distraction, as brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s good for my soul, for my family, and, ultimately, for the church.

When a pastor returns from a true season of rest, the church benefits. The preaching is sharper. The shepherding is healthier. The heart is lighter. And the pastor is better equipped to carry the weight of caring for souls.

In the end, a sabbatical isn’t just a break but a biblical practice of soul care. And healthy pastors lead to healthy churches.