The work is holy. The weight is real.
Ministry is meaningful, but it is also exhausting. Pastors and other ministry leaders are carrying more than they were ever meant to carry as they care for people, lead congregations, and manage the many demands of ministry.
Dr. Brandon Cash, Chair of Christian Ministry and Leadership at Talbot School of Theology, pastor, and Los Angeles Dodgers chaplain, shared a message titled, “When Ministry Feels Heavy: Finding Soul Rest in Pastoral Life” at the November 5 Pastors’ Forum at CIFT.
The session was designed to challenge pastors to redefine success and find rest in their ministry life. Dr. Cash used Scripture and examples from his own ministry as he challenged the Pastors’ Forum attendees to find soul rest in their ministry life.
Faithfulness Over Performance
Referencing psychologist Arch Hart, Dr. Cash shared a powerful reminder: "Pastors don't get into trouble because they forget they are pastors, but because they forget they are persons."
Pastors can fall into the trap of living a “harried life” full of ministry demands and obligations. They can also fall into the trap of measuring success by the world’s standards rather than by God’s. Dr. Cash used King Solomon as an example of someone who had great wealth, influence, and outward success but was not necessarily faithful to God.
Ultimately, ministry success is not determined by attendance, buildings, or accomplishments but by simple faithfulness to God.
God Is Still Working While We Rest
Turning to Psalm 127, Dr. Cash showed that God’s work does not depend on us. This Psalm challenges us to cease from anxious toil and to trust that God is still at work while we are sleeping.
In sharing a time in his life when he was carrying the weight of the church, as if its success depended on him, Dr. Cash said he had come to realize that God is God and we are not.
His message was simple: God is God, and we are not.
Making Room for Sabbath
In addition to establishing a regular 24-hour weekly Sabbath, Dr. Cash encouraged pastors to set healthy communication boundaries, and to take vacations that allow for true rest and renewal.
Sabbath is not another rule to follow. Rather, it is an intentional act of trusting in God, who is constantly sustaining His church while we are resting from work.
Listen to the full Pastors’ Forum audio
Want to hear more? Listen to Dr. Brandon Cash's complete Pastors' Forum message, including his behind-the-scenes stories from the Los Angeles Dodgers dugout and his deeper exploration of Psalm 127.
KEYNOTE: Brandon Cash, Chaplain for the Dodgers
Pastor at Oceanside Christian Fellowship, Associate Professor, Hermeneutics and Homiletics Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
Brandon Cash obtained his Master of Divinity from the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University and his doctoral degree in Old Testament at Fuller Seminary. Brandon has been serving as a pastor at Oceanside Christian Fellowship for nineteen years. He has also served as the chaplain for the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2010. He has been involved in denominational leadership at both the regional and national levels, the Evangelical Homiletics Society since 2001, and has served as a mentor to pastors and church planters throughout Southern California.