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This guest post is part of a series on Sabbath Rest for Small Church Ministry LLC, where we help women create joy & success in small church ministry. Any opinions expressed within this blog post are those of the author and not necessarily held by Small Church Ministry.

A Testimony Of Restoration At A Renewal Retreat

After severe ministry burnout, a pastor’s wife found Sabbath rest and restoration at a renewal retreat. Read her story here of restoration for her soul.

A Sabbath Rest & Renewal Retreat

Ministry Burnout Affects The Whole Family

My husband had been going through an incredibly stressful season in his ministry that caused such severe burnout that he ended up quitting.

Do not let anyone tell you that burnout is a one-person thing; it affects the whole family. The kids and I were all burnt out too. Not burnt out on God, but on the never-ending pouring out of ourselves for others. I kept telling my husband, “I feel dry, like every tiny bit of renewal I get is poured back out before it even gets a chance to soak in.” 

We were in desperate need of rest, of real Sabbath, when we stumbled upon the idea of going on a pastor and spouse retreat. 

I was very put off by the idea originally (I’m a busy mother. Who has time for a week of rest?), but for our own mental health decided to go for it. We found one that was provided at no cost for pastors and spouses in Illinois called Deer Ridge Ministries.

They just happened (there are no accidents –– God had this planned for us before we even knew about them) to have one open week left when another pastor had canceled. So, after our very last church service at our current church, we left for the retreat.

The Renewal Retreat At Deer Ridge Ministries

The rules at the retreat were pretty straightforward. Put away your cell phones and your computers. In fact, do not even bring them if possible.

Breakfast and lunch are provided to eat at your leisure, but everyone gathers for supper together. Self-directed paths of study were available, along with a large library of books and DVD’s to help with your week of spiritual renewal.

There were three other couples there our week, along with the host couple, David and Louise. They were not just hosts for us; they treated us like valued friends and mentored each of us while there. As a veteran pastor and active ministry wife, they have seen almost everything a person could be going through and were willing to counsel us.

The other couples provided much wisdom and camaraderie throughout the week. And while there were some practical how-to-ministry exchanges, most of our talk was about anything but.

The Morning: Sleep In & Silence

Here was how each day shaped up for us. Sleep as long as you want in the morning. Eat breakfast and chat with whoever else was about. Go to our room, the chapel, or somewhere on the grounds for studying, scripture reading, and just communing with God.

One of the days, we were encouraged to not speak at all until lunch to leave space for God’s whisper to come to us. After an hour or two of quiet time, most people would find another quiet activity, like going for a walk or doing a puzzle. One lady did Bible art journaling, and it was always so inspiring to see her beautiful creations.

The Afternoon & Evening: Connecting With Each Other

We usually ate lunch on the deck and enjoyed awesome, funny conversation before breaking off again for a repeat of the morning with a nap thrown in for most of us.

Supper time was the best. We all ate at one table and were served supper by volunteers on beautiful china. David and Louise, the host/mentor couple, would lead us in a few rounds of questions that somehow always led to real, raw conversations. I cried more than once at supper.

After supper, we would split up by couples to watch a movie, go for another walk, or play cards. There was space all day long to connect to God, connect as a couple, and connect with the others at the retreat. A deep feeling of quiet seemed to come over me about the third day there. I felt at peace for the first time in a long time. 

The Result Of Real Sabbath? Restoration For My Soul 

My husband and I came into that week hurting; we left feeling rested and restored –– that deep soul rest you only get with real sabbath. We left feeling like God was not done with us yet –– that he had a plan for our ministry in the future.

I want to encourage you, if you are feeling burnt out or spiritually dry when it comes to ministry, to take a week-long retreat. A day or two is great, but your duties and worries are always lurking just beyond that brief time away. A whole week gives you the space to exist solely with God and without the stress of ministry creeping back in. 

God moved mightily in our week on Sabbath retreat. He helped us come to terms with a lot of issues so we could come back to ministry less than a year after that. Another couple on retreat with us said they go every 2-3 years, and that it helps keep them healthy in their ministry. My husband and I have vowed to do the same.

We never again want to reach the low point we were at before. So, go on retreat and give yourself the time because God is waiting for you.

Read More

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The Sweetness Of God’s Sabbath Rest