Dr. Floyd Godfrey

In the busyness of modern life, many families—especially those involved in ministry—struggle to find time for rest. Pastors, ministry leaders, and parents often carry the weight of spiritual and emotional care for others, which can easily lead to burnout if not balanced with intentional rest. God, in His wisdom, gave us the gift of Sabbath—a sacred rhythm of work and rest. Embracing Sabbath is not just an Old Testament command but a life-giving principle that remains deeply relevant for today’s families and church leaders.

God’s Pattern for Rest

From the beginning, God modeled the importance of rest. Genesis 2:2–3 tells us, “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy.” This wasn’t because God needed to rest, but because He was establishing a rhythm for His creation. The Sabbath is woven into the fabric of how we were designed to live—working six days and resting one.

For pastors and families who often pour themselves into ministry, the Sabbath becomes a much-needed time to renew strength, realign priorities, and reconnect with God. It is not merely about ceasing from labor, but about entering into a deeper communion with our Creator.

Sabbath for the Pastor

Many pastors feel pressure to be constantly available—preaching, counseling, visiting, and leading. While these acts of service are valuable, the calling to ministry does not exempt leaders from God’s design for rest. In fact, it may make it even more necessary.

Taking a Sabbath allows pastors to resist the temptation of self-reliance. When leaders pause, they acknowledge that the church belongs to Christ, not to them. It is a weekly reminder that God is at work, even when they are not. Mark 2:27 reminds us, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” It’s a gift, not a burden—a time to stop striving and start trusting.

Sabbath for the Family

Families, too, benefit from a regular Sabbath rhythm. In homes where both parents and children are juggling busy schedules—school, work, sports, ministry—it’s easy to lose sight of one another. Sabbath offers the chance to slow down and reconnect as a family.

Parents can lead their children by example, showing that rest is not laziness, but obedience and wisdom. It can include worship, meals together, time in nature, and simple joys like games or storytelling. These shared moments strengthen bonds and give children a model of healthy spiritual living.

Deuteronomy 5:12–15 expands on the Sabbath commandment and links it to freedom: “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out... Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.” Rest becomes a declaration of freedom from busyness and productivity as identity.

Practical Sabbath Practices

For many Christian families and pastors, Sabbath might not fall on Sunday due to church responsibilities. That’s okay. The principle is what matters. Here are a few practical ways to observe Sabbath:

• Choose a consistent day or time frame each week for rest and reflection.
• Unplug from digital devices to reduce noise and distractions.
• Engage in worship and Scripture reading as a family.
• Enjoy simple, restful activities that bring joy and connection.
• Set healthy boundaries, especially for pastors, to protect this time.

Trusting God Through Sabbath

At its core, Sabbath is an act of trust. It says, “God, You are in control. My work, my ministry, and my family are in Your hands.” In our culture of hustle, Sabbath is countercultural—but deeply freeing.

Families and church leaders who embrace Sabbath find themselves renewed and better equipped to love, serve, and lead. In resting, we are reminded of who we are—not defined by our output, but by our identity in Christ.

Floyd Godfrey PhD is a Board Certified Christian Counselor and has facilitated groups within different churches and denominations over the past 30 years. He worked as a licensed clinician for 23 years and provided supervision and training for other counselors as they worked toward independent licensure. You can read more about Floyd Godfrey PhD at www.FloydGodfrey.com.