It was years ago, but the impression is still deep within me. I visited a large growing church. There was a great sense of urgency to the work they were doing, a feeling that people’s eternal destiny was at stake, and so they worked. The minimum expectation for the pastoral staff was to work eighty hours a week. I spoke with one staff pastor; he said the only time he saw his kids was in-between services on Sundays; otherwise, he left for work before they got up and came home long after they had gone to sleep. But it was all worth it. The church was growing, and people were being saved.
I visited another large church recently. It is growing rapidly. There is a great sense of urgency that the work they are doing has eternal consequences for people’s destiny. So they rest. Staff are required to take time to pray and rest in Sabbath. From the senior pastor down one day a week, one weekend a month, and one month a year are spent in rest. These days are not vacation days, and they are not days off. They are days spent in study, prayer, and listening to God.
The first church was celebrated. People came from all around to learn how to do ministry. The staff were tired and rushed. People were short with one another. Anger and frustration were just below the surface, but no one could say anything because it was the work of God they were doing. Staff pastors rarely stayed for more than a year or two. Burnout was common. When the lead pastor did finally leave, his years of ministry were celebrated, and in his wake was left unhealth, pain, and broken families that would take years of healing to mend. Was it all worth it?
The second church is celebrated. People come from all around the world to learn how to do ministry. Its staff is alive and joyful. They laugh easily. They practice hospitality and never seem to be rushed. Their lead pastor recently retired. His years of ministry were celebrated. He still hangs around the place, looked upon as a beloved leader. In his wake is a new generation of leaders full and excited. Was it all worth it?
God creates all that there is. Genesis 1 tells the story. The climactic scene is of God creating humanity. When the work is done, he steps back and says, “it was very good” (vs. 31). Then he commands that on the seventh day, they are to rest. Humanity’s first task was to rest because God is holy. To rest because God has completed the work. For Adam and Eve to have worked on the seventh day would have been to say to God, “You’ve done some great work here, very impressive, now let me just make a few adjustments, and it will be perfect.” It is absurd to think of them actually saying such a thing to God, but we do it regularly when we ignore God’s command for Sabbath and rest. In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us not to worry about what we will eat, drink, wear, or even about tomorrow “For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (vs. 32-22, NIV).
What are we seeking? What are we chasing after?
Blessings,
Stephen
