There is a blog that I regularly follow call Swerve. Great blog for pastors. Today the topic was boundaries, specifically Sabbath rest. Many pastors struggle to take a day off because there is always some urgent demand for their time from someone or something. I regard rest as a spiritual discipline, a necessary part of following Jesus. The question was asked about how we handle setting the boundary, and I commented. Thought I'd repost it here. (You've probably read all this before, but if you want more reading on Sabbath rest use the Ben's Box on the right side of the page to search)
I worked for a Pastor that talked about rest and didn’t do it. I made a habit of taking a day off when I worked for him as a means of helping him take breaks. When I started my church 2 1/2 years ago I kept up the habit.
In a small church, one pastor situation here are things that have worked for me to keep the boundary:
1. Tell people about your day off and why it is important.
2. Teach rest as a spiritual discipline for everyone not just pastors.
3. Celebrate what you do on your time off.
4. Ask others what they do with their days off.
5. Turn your phone/computer off as a regular fast.
6. When you travel leave instructions on voice mail that you’re on vacation, and that you’ve selected a contact person to answer any questions. Then only answer phone calls on vacation from that person.
Are there weeks where things are heavy? Yeah. But sabbath is for man not man for the sabbath. The biggest question I wrestle with is the faith it takes to practice a sabbath. Can I trust God to do more with six days, then I can do with seven?