Preparing for Easter: 5 Ways Church Leaders Can Rest and RefocusSample

Prepare to Rest

If you’re involved in ministry in any capacity, then you know that Easter is quickly approaching.

And as a church leader, there are already many things that probably need to be planned, prepared for, and thought through as you get ready to celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection with your church.

But as you prepare to serve others, we want to encourage you to take a few moments this week to prepare to lead yourself.

Jesus modeled what this looks like when He went away by Himself to spend time with His Father. He would strategically get away from the demands of His daily ministry to rest in God’s presence so that way He could serve the people He was called to minister to.

Jesus worked from a place of rest, not for a place of rest.

Jesus was able to do this because He had good boundaries. He wasn’t afraid to pause, go off by Himself, or get away and spend time with His closest friends.

Rest matters to God. It is when we rest that we find restoration for our souls and a renewed sense of strength and purpose. If you are feeling weary in the lead up to Easter, maybe this is a sign that you need to intentionally pause and get away for a while—even if it’s just for a few minutes every day.

You cannot minister to the people God places in front of you if you have not allowed God to first minister to you.

God’s rest always results in our restoration. And when we serve from a place of personal restoration, we are more effective in ministry.

So right now, pause and reflect on the rest you need. What areas of your life feel tired, worn out, and in need of repair?

What concerns are you and your church processing as you prepare for Easter?

Make a mental list of those things, and then picture laying down your concerns and questions at the feet of Jesus.

He cares more about this than you ever could, but He also cares more about the state of your soul than you could ever imagine. So give Him your concerns, and then reflect on today’s Scripture readings. Allow God to minister to you where you are, as you prepare to minister to others.