Sabbath Practices for People Busy in Ministry
If you’ve ever felt like sabbath is completely unattainable, this article is for you. You’re definitely not alone. I spent a long time believing Sabbath wasn’t for me—though I wished it could be.
When I first wrote about spiritual disciplines in busy seasons, I had included sabbath practices as one point—but I quickly realized it needed its own post. This article dives deeper into sabbath, why we need it, and simple shifts to help practice it when it feels impossible.
Because if you’re busy with ministry, sabbath is often the first to go and one of the hardest things to reclaim.
Sabbath is not a reward for productivity or a perk for the elite few.
It’s a core rhythm God gave everyone.
You need a sabbath because you’re not God.
As a Millennial mom and woman in ministry, I can fall into the trap of trying to measure up to all kinds of unreasonable (and usually self-imposed) expectations:
to manage my house like a professional organizer
to pray and contemplate God like a nun
to engage in the community like a college student
to plan family activities like a cruise ship director
to hustle like a business startup CEO
I could go on.
No matter the day of the week, it can feel hard to switch “off,” because I could always find a way to do more, do better, and learn more.
But, sadly, I’m only human. Constantly attending to everything makes my mind feel like a web browser with too many open tabs all playing music at the same time.
At my worst, I began to think sabbath practices and “deep work” were luxuries for people with assistants or the unconcerned Marys of the world. In my pride, I thought I had more hustle and grit than that.
It took crippling burnout to learn that sabbath is not a luxury. It was established for our good. Sabbath is the necessary reminder to us and to those we serve that we are not God.
Shifting toward Sabbath
Sabbath is a core rhythm God gave everyone—including tired moms and ministers—to remember our place in creation and find true rest in Christ. It’s an act of faith when you feel the pressure of your to-do list.
One way to start is by acknowledging how spiritual disciplines will look different in different seasons. Just because sabbath looked different than when I was single, barely employed, or working as a missionary in a slow-paced developing country doesn’t mean it isn’t still attainable.
Here are some helpful shifts I’ve found to practice sabbath in busy, all-encompassing seasons:
Plan ahead. Make sabbath a priority, and schedule it in your weekly rhythms. Get creative to find what works best. My husband (who’s also in ministry) and I are currently trying a 4 pm Friday to 4 pm Saturday sabbath, which has been lovely. We’ve also tried sabbathing on separate days.
Create a “Not To-Do” List. Sabbath isn’t just something you do—it’s also about what you don’t do. For me, that means communicating to my people when I’m sabbathing and how. To make sabbath a priority, you might have to remove, delegate, or delay certain responsibilities. Ask for God’s wisdom.
Simplify unavoidable tasks (and expectations). For everything you can’t prepare in advance or not do, simplify. Order food. Use disposable plates, or save dishes for another day. We celebrate “charcuterie Sundays” by throwing all the meats, cheeses, and random leftovers onto the table for meals. Somehow, the name makes it feel fun and *fancy.*
Get in the mode. When it’s time for focused prayer and Scripture reading, find a “ritual” that helps your mind settle from “Martha mode” to “Mary mode.” Light a candle. Sit in the same chair. Throw an apron over your head to signify to yourself and others that this is your intentional time with God.
Intentionally move more slowly. If you’re prone to jogging from one thing to the next (literally or metaphorically), slow down your body for one day. Drive the speed limit—just not in the left lane. Stop toe-tapping. Create more buffer between your activities and slow down to notice and pray as you go.
Limit tech (even a little). Limiting technology for one day can help close some of those mental “tabs” you have running. Turn off notifications. Leave your phone in another room. iPhone users can set a “sabbath” focus mode on their phone, which will also notify others that they’re unavailable. Email me if you want step-by-step instructions.
Delight and worship. As you’ve pared down, begin noticing the Spirit’s presence in your everyday life. Prayers and liturgies, like ones found in the Every Moment Holy or Liturgy of the Ordinary, can facilitate prayer in the everyday. Whether it’s a family walk, gardening, reading, playing soccer, or something else, find ways to practice gratitude for and delight in God and His good gifts.
What about you? Has sabbath been a struggle for you? What are some ways you find to sabbath well in the flow of ministry?
Questions to Consider:
What day (or 24-hour window) could be your weekly sabbath?
What would you need to remove, delegate, delay, or simplify to sabbath well?
What would make sabbath days worshipful and delightful for you?
Who can support you in establishing and protecting sabbath practices?
Marie Burrus is a UBA Church Consultant and Communications Specialist. Her primary responsibilities are consulting on mission engagement and church communications. She also manages, edits, and contributes content for UBA's blog, website, and social media outlets.
