Pastoral Care

God took time to rest on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2). He knew the importance and significance of rest. 

How do you rest as a Pastor when the pull, the call, the work is great and the laborers are few (Luke 10:2)?

 Begin by understanding it is not a sin to rest, God rested, and rest is essential. 

1. Have a day of the week or time of the week allocated to rest. At this time you have a choice to do something non ministry related or nothing at all. This will help you clear your mind and reset.
2. Plan vacation times where you can get away from your environment and familiar surroundings. A different scenery and change in environment is a breath of fresh air, a breeding ground for new ideas and strategies, an atmosphere to hear the voice of God without clutter.
3. Engage in healthy leisure activities that bring you joy, happiness, laughter and fun. These are emotions that when released renew and refresh your soul releasing stress within.
4. Feed yourself spiritually. Study the word of God for nourishment not just to prepare a sermon or teaching. Let the word minister to you, let the focus be on you and not on the congregation. Have allocated time for prayer where it is not about people’s needs but time for you in God’s presence for yourself, your needs and self edification.
5. Engage in physical exercise and activities. This promotes physical health, physical fitness and wellness. It reduces the risk of stress related diseases because as a pastor you may not be stressed but your body may carry the stress of your workload
6. Have regular nutritious meals that nourish, build and fuel your body. Without meals your body is a car without fuel, it will shut down eventually. Some moments call for fasting but even Jesus had his moments of fasting and moments of eating meals. Do not neglect the nourishment of your body.
7. Invest in healthy relationships with people you can trust and confide in. Relationships that can counsel, guide and admonish you. Relationships that add to you not pull away from you. Relationships that understand and respect your call and offer a shoulder to lean on. Relationships bring connection because no man is an island.

     Rose Shiku

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