Sabbath for Pastors

Ask any pastor’s spouse, and they will tell you that pastors are as human as you and I. And being human, pastors need rest as much as any of us. In his new book Sabbath for Pastors, Mark Chua explores the challenge that pastors and Christians in general face in finding that rest.

Mark first takes a wide-angle look at the factors in Western and Asian society that influence our practice (or lack thereof) of Sabbath. He then unpacks the biblical understanding of the Sabbath and draws out the core purposes of this God-ordained rhythm. Finally, he looks at the implications of Sabbath for pastors. He refrains from guilt-tripping pastors into squeezing “rest” into their packed schedules, but shows how practising Sabbath is essential if our lives are to be God-centred.

Sabbath for Pastors deftly tackles the objections that both pastors and churches may have towards pastors taking rest days and sabbaticals by pointing out the pitfalls of burnout, and reminding us that we are not justified by our works but by the grace of God.

Being a pastor himself, Mark is clearly aware of the unending demands of pastoral ministry, and he shows how it is possible to practise Sabbath in our daily lives. He also addresses the issue of numerous church programmes and activities in a chapter on “Sabbath and the Congregation”.

Mark draws from various local and international writers and thinkers in his writing and supplements each chapter with a blend of theological and practical questions for reflection. If the book seems slightly repetitive towards the end, it is only to deepen our understanding that truly, we can rest because God is always at work. Sabbath for Pastors calls us to receive God’s gift of Sabbath with joy and in freedom.

[Rev. Mark Chua serves as the pastor of the English service in the Chinese Methodist Church Kuala Lumpur.]

By Hwa Hui-En