Tomorrow will be the first time I’ve preached atNorthstarin four weeks. I’ve not been gone - just thrilled that we have so many qualified teachers/preachers in our congregation that we can raise up a “teaching team.”

Being able tobe thereandbe fedis important for a pastor who reallybelievesthat we are tobe the church.I am not indispensable. No pastor is. We are vessels. Servants. Stewards. The pastor who will not give up or share his “pulpit” with others demonstrates one of the following:

• Ego

• Leadership development problems

• A church with a wrong conception of the pastor’s role

A church who feels like they “hired” the pastor to preach to them has its own issues. It enslaves a pastor to the pulpit, and so he preaches week-in and week-out, in fear of other’s opinions of him should he not be in the pulpit. The attitude is “what do we pay him for. after all?”

Nancy Jerniganrecently tweeted:

Pastors making a decision to not take a break & allow someone else to fill in for them is heartbreaking to watch!

I go back to the title of this post:a pause in preaching provides perspective.

The last three weeks, I was able to observe our church being the church - welcoming guests, smiling, sharing, encouraging. I was also able to see some things that need to be improved but that I would never notice on a typical, hectic Sunday. Finally, I was able to worship andbeministered to by other capable and gifted servants of God.

Pastors, take a break.You need it more than you realize. It’s not just a break. It’s an opportunity. For you. For other leaders.

You may be surprised how much your people thank you for it.