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Leadership Regrets: Not Observing the Sabbath

Mark Carter & Rick Egbert

Welcome to BLP. Today, Pastor Carter interviews Rick Egbert, a mental health counselor, and former pastor, on staff for fifteen years at The Chapel, a local multi-site church. Rick is a wise coach and encourager and was integral in Carter’s planting of his church. 

In this episode, Carter and Rick discuss what all Christian leaders should learn early on: to appreciate and observe the Sabbath.

• The demands are great. // It’s a given that as a leader, you’ll feel both motivation and pressure to do and accomplish more. The truth is, you can only go full-force for so long. Some signs of having pushed too hard include: being short with others, grumpy, intolerant, and unfairly judging others’ effort levels compared to yours. Be proactive and don’t wait until your exhaustion is obvious. If the people in your life notice, you’ve already started to come apart at the seams.

• Ministry is not about drive. // While you’re doing God’s work, good work (awesome work), this does not excuse operating at a nonstop pace. Going all out often leads to excellent results for a time, and the high of the adrenalin rush will feel super, but the bottom line is… it’s an addictive mindset. “The more, the better” is not what God wants for you or anyone else. Examine your motives. Even though your work is important Kingdom work, it is still work and will take a toll nonetheless.

• Pace yourself. // Starting out is exciting and you’ll want to push yourself, of course! Like anyone, you can expect times of busy-ness and stress starting something new. However, keep centered on the truth that your value does not come from what you do, you need not ever prove your worth. You possess immeasurable inherent worth, you are a Child of God.

• Heed wisdom. // There’s great value in the wisdom of people closest to you, more experienced leaders, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Trust when they say you’re pushing too hard. It’s easy to be hypnotized by the pace, but it will only lead to burnout. Busy is not a season when you’re always busy, in that case, it’s a lifestyle.

• The Sabbath is a command. // Simple, obey God. The Sabbath is the fourth commandment, it is also the longest because God is making a clear point, it’s important. Do you disregard other commandments? Then why this one? Basking in the love of God is a command, let yourself experience this, regularly. You cannot give what you do not have, it may sound cliche, but listen to the Spirit, it’s true. 

• God will do more. // God will accomplish more through you in 6 days with Him than you can in 7 days on your own. The enemy will lie and keep you always going, keeping you from the rest of God. Identify the lies and replace them with truth. Ask yourself, how do I abide versus trying to get more done? The latter means you are relying on your own strength. The work you do comes from the rest, not the other way around. You’ll get more done and the fruit will come from abiding, not striving. John 15:5 (NIV) I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me, and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Rick Egbert, MA LPC | Psychotherapist at Hopeful Therapy | hopefultherapy.com/