Order the New Kidmin Covenant Reflective Guide, companion to the Kidmin Covenant series.
I want to look back on my ministry one day and know I served faithfully—not perfectly, but faithfully. I want to know I lived and led in a way that honored Jesus and shaped lives for eternity. This covenant is my roadmap for that kind of life. Rooted in Scripture and refreshed by grace, it keeps me focused on becoming the kind of leader who pleases the Lord and bears lasting fruit.
Covenant Commitment #11:
I will honor rest as a gift from God, not as an afterthought—because rest is part of faithfulness.
Let’s admit it—ministry never really ends. There’s always another email to answer, another supply to prep, another idea to chase, another Sunday coming. And in a world that glorifies hustle, rest can feel like a luxury—or worse, laziness.
But Scripture tells a different story.
Exodus 20:8–10 commands us: “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy… On it you shall not do any work.” Rest isn’t optional—it’s one of God’s top ten. And it wasn’t just for ancient Israel. God built the rhythm of rest into creation itself. He worked six days and rested on the seventh—not because He was tired, but to model something holy.
Jesus reinforced this pattern. In Mark 6:31, He tells His disciples, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Even in the midst of miracles, crowds, and needs, Jesus valued rest. He didn’t rush from moment to moment—He withdrew, He prayed, He breathed.
And then there’s the beautiful invitation of Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” That’s not just spiritual rest—it’s rest for our bodies, our emotions, and our souls. And in ministry, we need all three.
When we rest, we’re not being lazy—we’re being obedient. We’re acknowledging our limits and trusting that God can run His church even when we take a nap, go for a walk, or spend a day with our family. Rest reminds us that we are not the Savior—Jesus is.
Rest also models something important for those we lead. If we’re always burning the candle at both ends, never slowing down, always “too busy,” we’re teaching our volunteers, families, and kids that faithfulness means exhaustion. But that’s not the abundant life Jesus promised.
Honoring rest might mean taking your day off seriously (and not feeling guilty about it). It might mean saying no when your schedule is full. It could mean putting your phone away in the evenings or blocking out time just to breathe, reflect, and be with God.
Ministry doesn’t need a burned-out leader. It needs a refreshed, Spirit-filled, well-rested one.
So breathe. Rest. Sleep in. Take a walk. Laugh with your family. Do something that fills your tank and reminds you that joy is part of the journey. Because rest isn’t weakness—it’s worship.
Next Week: Kidmin Covenant #12 – “I will measure success by obedience, not by numbers or applause.”
We’ll wrap up by talking about the ultimate scoreboard in ministry—and how faithfulness wins every time.
