Date of Award

Fall 2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

College

Barnett College of Ministry & Theology

Department

Department of Christian Ministries and Religion

Primary Advisor

Dr. Chris Stephen

Second Advisor

Dr. Mark Morrow

Third Advisor

Dr. Ron Crum

Abstract

“Sanctified Rhythms of Rest: Reclaiming Sabbath and Spiritual Retreat for Pastoral Renewal and Burnout Mitigation in the Georgia Assemblies of God” explored how intentional rhythms of Sabbath observance, solitude and silence, and spiritual retreat shaped the lived experiences of credentialed ministers within the Georgia District of the Assemblies of God. Pastoral burnout, emotional exhaustion, and unsustainable ministry expectations continue to affect ministers across denominational contexts, raising questions regarding the role of biblically grounded rhythms of rest in fostering pastoral renewal and sustainability. Using a six-month longitudinal hermeneutic phenomenological design, twenty-nine credentialed ministers participated in the intentional practice of weekly Sabbath observance, monthly periods of solitude and silence, and a concluding spiritual retreat. Data were collected through pre-, mid-, and post-assessment surveys and analyzed through thematic coding and interpretive analysis. Findings revealed five primary themes: ministry culture and unsustainable expectations; intentional resistance and structured rhythms of rest; the need for spiritual and holistic replenishment; Sabbath, theology, and spiritual formation; and reframed theology and ministerial identity. Participants increasingly recognized the relationship between ministry overload, emotional exhaustion, continual accessibility, the absence of intentional rhythms of rest, and ministerial identities shaped by productivity, individual responsibility, and continual availability. The study concludes that Sabbath-related practices contribute to greater awareness of personal limitations, healthier ministry rhythms, increased spiritual attentiveness, and a more sustainable understanding of ministerial identity. These findings suggest that Sabbath observance, solitude and silence, and spiritual retreat serve as valuable practices for pastoral renewal and long-term ministry sustainability within Pentecostal ministry contexts.

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