I write this post in the midst of our bi-annual “Sabbath Week.” Over the years, one of the most common refrains I’ve heard is the encouragement to slow down and rest. It’s always been a bit unclear to me whether this comment is rooted in the speaker’s own struggles or is a genuine, well-intentioned suggestion for our well-being.
In any case, I believe this advice often stems from a misunderstanding about how the lives of co-vocational missionaries are actually structured. Part of what I hope to do on this platform is to give greater insight into how we live and serve as co-vocational missionaries in the post-Christian West.
Working Hard is Good
It should go without saying that we are deeply committed to making disciples while simultaneously working hard in our careers to establish a stable platform from which to serve. This means hard, dedicated work. Every day, I have the privilege of working with incredible team members at LIFT Church and Engage Spaces. Without a doubt, we work really hard—and I believe this should be celebrated.
In our current cultural moment, there is a peculiar, and I believe ultimately harmful, resistance to hard work if that work results in us being tired. If we, the Church of North America, are going to have an impact, make no mistake: it will not happen without significant, sacrificial labour. (1 Thess 5:12, Galatians 4:19)
Hard work should be celebrated and embraced, driving us to our knees in faith—for we can do all things through Him, and only Him, who strengthens us. The intersection of hard work and faith in the New Testament is unmistakable and undeniable. I wonder, at times, if the Church desires the fruit of first-century disciple-making without a willingness to labour like first-century disciples.
Nevertheless, there is an important tool we bring to bear to sustain long-term disciple-making fruit: rhythm. Hard work held in rhythm with intentional rest.
When our lives follow intentional rhythms, and those rhythms align with our capacity, we can maximize our impact.
Healthy Rhythms
I have never met a healthy, disciple-making disciple who doesn’t maintain strong rhythms in their life. While we can sacrifice these rhythms in the short term when the need demands, we cannot do so long term without sacrificing our spiritual vitality and physical health. Here are a few key rhythms we practice:
Weekly Rhythms:
Daily Devotions: Time in Scripture and prayer is foundational.
Exercise: Physical health directly impacts spiritual and emotional well-being.
Proper Sleep and Nutrition: Rest and fuel sustain us for the work ahead.
Time Outdoors: Sunlight and fresh air are essential—even in the challenging Canadian winters!
Shared Calendar: Our entire missionary calendar is set roughly a year in advance. While not everyone follows the exact same rhythm, having a shared calendar allows us to pre-plan for seasons of pushing hard and seasons of recovery. As humans, we can do incredibly hard things if we know there will be a defined period for recovery.
Sabbath Weeks: Twice a year, we take synchronized “Sabbath Weeks”—one in July and one at Christmas. During these weeks, all formal ministry activities pause. Wherever possible, we encourage co-vocational missionaries to schedule vacation time from their careers as well. Many of our missionaries will plan vacations together. These Sabbath Weeks provide a crucial opportunity for rest, reflection, and rejuvenation.
These three practices—weekly rhythms, a shared calendar, and Sabbath Weeks—may appear simple on the surface, but they reflect a deeper commitment to living as a spiritual family. There is more to this story—especially regarding proximity, simplicity, and integration—but that’s a post for another day.
Until then, I pray that this encourages you to rest well this season so that you can run well for Christ in 2025.