Theological perspectives of leadership and rest

For spiritual leaders, wellbeing isn't simply about adding a few healthy habits to an already busy life. Sometimes there is something deeper going on. Our approach to rest and leadership can be shaped by what we believe about God.

Working from rest

One of the powerful ideas raised in the interview is the difference between resting from work and working from a place of rest. The creation story gives us an interesting picture. Humanity was created on the sixth day, meaning that the first full day of human life was a day of rest.

Before humanity did anything, there was rest. That challenges the assumption that our value comes from what we produce.

Yet many leaders carry an image of God that makes stopping feel dangerous. If we unconsciously imagine God as constantly demanding more from us, then rest can begin to feel like laziness or even disobedience.

Reflection

Complete the sentence honestly:

When I stop working, I sometimes feel...

What does that response reveal about how you understand rest, productivity and your relationship with God?

Working from rest means allowing that understanding of rest to shape the way we lead. It is not simply about taking a break once the work is finished. It means recognising that we do not have to carry everything ourselves.

In practice, this might mean:

Choosing the three priorities only you can carry. Identify what genuinely requires your involvement and release responsibilities that others can carry.
Allowing some needs to remain unmet. Accept that you cannot respond to every need or request, rather than feeling responsible for everything.
Creating agreed periods of unavailability. Set clear boundaries around when you are and are not available, giving yourself space to rest.
Delegating authority, not merely tasks. Equip others to take genuine ownership and make decisions, rather than simply giving them tasks to complete.
Taking a weekly Sabbath or regular day without ministry responsibility. Protect time to stop working and remember that God is still at work when you are not.
Discussing your workload openly with the board. Be honest about your capacity, responsibilities and what is realistically sustainable.

These choices require trust. When you step away, the work may still be there when you return. But working from rest means trusting that God is still at work when you are not.

The goal is not to care less about your calling or responsibilities. It is to approach them from a different posture: not pressure and the need to control everything, but trust in God and confidence that you do not have to do everything yourself.

That is what it can look like to move from resting from work to working from rest.