Generally, when we think about rest, we consider it terms of ourselves needing rest. But the overall rest of your team is just as important. The truth is most people will not rest from serving unless you ask them. This is especially true in smaller churches where there is only one person who fills a role.

What if you made rest mandatory? What if you required people to take a Sunday off at least once a quarter? That's 4 times a year.

Here are 3 reasons why you should make rest mandatory: 

1 | People lead better when they're rested

People perform to a higher degree when they're rested. There is something to be said for repeatedly serving every week but eventually that person burns out. Wouldn't you rather have someone take 4 Sundays off a year than serve for 2 years and quit because they got burned out?

You know how you feel after you take a vacation? You feel rested. You come up with new ideas. You have a renewed passion for serving. Give that feeling to your team members at least 4 times a year!

2 | Shows you care about them not just filling the spot on the team

Rest also shows that the person is more important than the position. Your team members are not just things that fill positions - they are people! Explain to them that you want to see them succeed on the team and one of the best ways to do that is to rest regularly. If someone has been serving for the past 4 years without a break, give them one!

3 | Gives you someone who can evaluate your leading

If a person is not leading on Sunday, they can still be a valuable tool to the team. Ask them if they would help evaluate your leading. Have them come up with 3 things you did well and 3 things your team could do better and then share these things at practice. This is a piece that many teams are missing because they don't feel like they have anyone who can provide valuable feedback. Requiring your team members to take a Sunday off from leading can free them up to serve in this capacity!