news article
Rest. Work. Play. How we’re shaping a healthier future for preachers
April 22, 2025 / By Rev. Abigail Browka, Associate Director of Missional Excellence / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
What do you get when you ask a group of preachers to slow down? You get revelation.
That’s exactly what happened when our first cohort of Preachers: Rest. Work. Play. gathered for their Opening Renewal Trip in Belize earlier this year. Click here to read about the experience and click here to watch a video documenting it. What many thought would be a quiet week of rest turned into a transformational realization: they were more depleted than they knew.
“I hadn’t realized how much I needed this,” said one participant, after spending time in stillness, community, and spiritual reflection.
Preachers: Rest. Work. Play. is an initiative of United Methodists of Upper New York, funded by a $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment’s Compelling Preaching Initiative. We believe that preachers who cultivate a healthy rhythm of rest, work, and play are inspired—and inspire others. That’s why our program offers more than a vacation. We provide a full ecosystem of support for preachers to rediscover their calling through healthy rhythms of body, mind, and soul. And the transformation is spreading.
April 2025: Cohort 2 Heads to Savannah
In mid-April, we launch Cohort 2’s journey with a Renewal Trip to Savannah, Georgia. Ten more preachers will begin their ten-month cohort experience with seven days of deep rest, prayerful walking tours, dolphin sightings, and space to breathe.
Each renewal trip is intentionally designed to happen before structured gatherings begin—because we know real wellbeing begins with renewal, not just more information.
What Churches and Preachers Can Do
We often hear the question: “How can churches support their pastors’ well-being?” Here are two great starting points:
- Normalize Rest – Speak of resting with joy, not guilt. Make time off not just allowed but expected.
- Fund Renewal – Financially investing in your pastor’s renewal sends a clear message: Their health matters. It’s an investment in their health—and your congregation’s future.
For preachers themselves, we encourage preachers to:
- Join a Cohort or a Healthy Peer Group – that focuses on encouragement and renewal together. This peer group rather than evaluative is generative and supportive.
- Audit Your Rhythms – of rest, work and play – not just whether you are overworking but also if play, joy and inspiration are missing.
Get Involved. Follow the Journey.
Whether you're a preacher, lay leader, conference staff, or curious ally—this work is for all of us.
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Together, we can build a healthier Church by renewing the ones who serve it.