Church Planters Who Pursue Humility and Learn to Rest
The church flourishes under happy, holy, and humble leaders, and it is always moving to hear their testimonies. One of my pastoral heroes, John R. W. Stott, embodied the humble life of a godly shepherd that we read of in the New Testament (see 1 Pet. 5:1–5).
A reporter once asked Stott, “You’ve had a brilliant academic career; first at Cambridge; Rector at twenty-nine, Chaplain to the Queen; what is your ambition now?” Stott replied, “To be more like Jesus.”[1] This was more than a pious answer. Many have given testimony to Stott’s humble way of life, drawing attention not only to his prayer life but also his life of servant leadership. The late Ecuadorian theologian and missiologist, René Padilla, told a story of traveling with Stott to Argentina. They arrived late at night in the pouring rain and ended up being quite muddy when arriving at their destination. The following morning Padilla awoke to Stott cleaning Padilla’s shoes! When he objected, Stott said, “My dear René, Jesus told us to wash one another’s feet. Today we do not wash feet the way people did in Jesus’s day, but I can clean your shoes.” Stott’s long-time secretary, Francis Whitehead, said, “It still amazes me that he emptied my office wastepaper basket every day for many, many years.” Ken Perez, who knew Stott well through the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity, said of Stott, “Some people are impressive in public, but disappointing in private. John is the opposite. He is even more impressive in private than in public. His Christ-likeness, gentleness, personal kindness, and authenticity are unforgettable.”
This kind of outward behavior is the result of one’s interior spiritual life. It shouldn’t be a surprise that the same pastor who wrote the classic The Cross of Christ had his personal life marked by humility. The more deeply I’m impacted by the work of Jesus on my behalf, the more it will spill over into my actions. A Christ-adoring heart leads to Christlike actions. A life of selfless humility flows from one who has been enamored by Christ (Phil. 2:5–11; John 13:1–17).
Leadership is not lordship. It involves setting a Christ-like example and inviting others to follow you. Jesus has shown us the way. He revolutionized the world with his model of servant leadership. And he has given us power through his saving work on our behalf to follow him in this pursuit of humble servant leadership.
Learning to Rest
Church planters must not only pursue humility, but we must also learn to rest. They don’t write biographies about lazy people. At least, I’ve never read one! Every great Christian leader I’ve read about has had a tremendous work ethic. Church planters, therefore, must also be diligent in their work.
I could say a lot about work, but I would like to underscore the importance of rest. It is imperative that church planters find a good rhythm of work and rest, of ministry and recreation, of deep work and peaceful sabbathing. It is easy to idolize work and find your identity in your work. It’s easy to burn the candle at both ends and have your mood totally affected by your work. Remember, you are not a machine but an image bearer of God—the God who himself rested (Gen. 2:1–3).
If you do not tend to your heart, you will find it very difficult to rest. My failure to rest is ultimately tied to my failure to trust God (see Ps. 127). I encourage you to find a good rhythm of hard work and quality rest. When working, work. When resting, rest. Learn to find things that are life-giving on your day off.
In his book Reset, David Murray talks about retired Pastor Al Martin’s counsel to young ministers who were just months into their ministries. They would say things like, “Please help me. I can’t pray. I can’t study. I can’t sleep. I can’t go on. I think I’m going to resign.” To this kind of statement, Martin responded: “Here’s your problem. You’re trying to live like a disembodied angel rather than flesh-and-blood humanity. Here’s your solution: first, exercise vigorously at least three times per week. Second, take a full day off a week. And third, spend at least one evening a week with your wife alone.” When the young ministers would push back, complaining about his plan, he would conclude, “Do these three things and call me back next month.”[2] He said he’s never been called back! We’re not disembodied angels. We are image bearers of God who need rest.
As you practice these rhythms, remember that Jesus offers the kind of rest that a vacation can’t give you. We are not saved by our ministry performance but through the finished work of Jesus. Rest in his grace daily and set aside particular days to completely cease your labor and focus on your family, the enjoyment of creation, life-giving activities, and physical respite.
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[1] Tim Chester, Stott on the Christian Life (Wheaton: Crossway, 2020), 225.
[2] David Murray, Reset: Living a Grace-Paced Life in a Burnout Culture (Wheaton: Crossway, 2017), 40.