Like many of you, I preach quite a lot.  Last Sunday I finished an 11-part series over five Sundays (plus Good Friday).  Today I finish a four-day conference that involves teaching all day through translation.  This Sunday . . . I am not preaching.  If you are a regular preacher, when is your next Sunday off?

It is so easy to get into a routine. Perhaps a weekly routine where Monday’s are off, but Tuesday’s are back in the process preparing another message.

As well as having a weekly day-off, consider also the value of a break in the preaching routine.  This may mean a formal sabbatical for three months or longer.  Or it may mean scheduling a couple of Sundays out of the pulpit.  Either way, it will allow space for others to gain experience in the pulpit, or for your congregation to benefit from another voice.  More importantly for this post it will free up your routine enough to enjoy some study of your own choice, some rest, some decompression.  It will allow you to recharge your preaching batteries and refresh your motivation for the ministry.

I’m not saying you should take this Sunday off.  But I think it is healthy to know when the next break will be.  Perhaps it’s time to take a look in the schedule and see what the horizon looks like?