Rainer on Leadership After the Christmas Chaos: The Lightest Work Week of the Year for Pastors
The week after Christmas—those quiet days between December 26 and New Year’s—is often the lightest week of the year for pastors. After weeks of preparing Advent services, coordinating Christmas Eve worship, managing volunteers, and caring for members in a season that’s both joyful and emotionally draining, pastors finally exhale.
This week isn’t about laziness; it’s about recovery. The adrenaline of December ministry fades, the calendar clears, and the phone stops ringing. Even the most active church members are traveling, resting, or spending time with family. For once, the pastor doesn’t have to be “on.” Josh and Sam discuss why this week is so light and so important.
-
- The Pace Finally Slows. Christmas is one of the busiest seasons in ministry. Extra services, rehearsals, and events fill the calendar. The week after gives pastors a rare moment to breathe.
- Fewer Expectations. Meetings are paused, and most church programs are taking a break. There’s little pressure to perform or produce, allowing for mental and spiritual rest.
- Reflection and Renewal. Many pastors use this time to reflect on the past year (what worked, what didn’t) and pray about vision and direction for the next one. It’s a built-in Sabbath for the soul.
- Family and Faith Reconnect. Ministry often demands long hours away from home. This quiet week lets pastors be fully present with their families, remembering that before they shepherd others, they’re called to nurture their own household of faith.
Resources:
Episode Sponsors:
The Doctor of Ministry at Southern Seminary is designed to strengthen both you and your church.
You’ll bring a real challenge from your ministry into the program—and through trusted faculty mentorship and applied theological study, you’ll develop a biblically grounded, practical plan that equips you to implement lasting change in your church.
This is theological scholarship applied where it matters most: your local ministry.
-
- Study under faculty mentors who are both scholars and seasoned ministry leaders.
- Sharpen your thinking, deepen your theology, and lead with clarity.
- Build a network of peers who share your calling and understand your challenges.
Learn how at sbts.edu/dmin.
Lead Your Church. We’ll Handle the Numbers.
-
- We have decades of experience serving churches across the country.
- We’re church accountants who speak your language and understand your mission.
- Gain clear financial insights to guide your ministry decisions with confidence.
- Tailored solutions for churches of every size and stage.
- Smart tools that save time and simplify finances so you can focus on ministry.
Stewardship matters. Your time is precious. We help with both.
Learn more today at chaneyassociates.com/churchanswers
The post After the Christmas Chaos: The Lightest Work Week of the Year for Pastors appeared first on Church Answers.