I read an interesting article in the New York Post this week, titled “Taking a Break From the Lord’s Work.” Here’s the first paragraph from the article: The findings have surfaced with ominous regularity over the last few years, and with little notice: Members of the clergy now suffer from obesity, hypertension and depression at rates higher than most Americans. In the last decade, their use of antidepressants has risen, while their life expectancy has fallen. Many would change jobs if they could.
It’s a shame that the New York Times can see what so many church leaders can’t; that rest is not just important, but essential for physical, emotional and spiritual health. It seems that when we violate the fourth commandment (the one about taking a Sabbath rest each week) we end up violating so many other commandments.
I have a formula that has served me well over the last several years. It's one that I try to model as a pastor. It goes like this: divert daily, withdraw weekly and abandon annually. Basically, I try to get some quiet time everyday, take a day off to worship, rest and focus each week, and at least once a year I take a week to get away from it all and unplug.
I wish every believer, and particularly church leaders, would follow this formula. I believe it would lead to greater health in our churches and families.
Saturday, my family will leave for our annual week at the beach. I won’t be completely off the grid, but close. If there’s an emergency that I need to know of, staff will be able to reach me. But with the exception of our Kenya Team’s posts, I’ll be unplugging for the week. That means no FB, Twitter, Email, BlackBerry, blogs, etc.
That’s a challenge for me. I love being connected. But abandoning annually means better health and better leadership and that's what I'm going after.
