A Practical and Biblical Understanding of the Pastoral Rest: A Study for the Sustainable Ministry of the Korean Immigrant Churches

The ministry of the Korean immigrant church in the United States is quite demanding, and the Korean immigrant pastors who serve those churches work hard without adequate rest. Inspired by Bryan Stone and Claire Wolfteich’s book, Sabbath in the City: Sustaining Urban Pastoral Excellence, this paper examines the importance of rest for pastors and proposes pastoral rest for sustainable ministry among immigrant pastors in the United States. This study analyzes the circumstances that contribute to the lack of rest experienced by those engaged in Korean immigrant ministry in the United States. It then examines the theological concept of the pastoral rest and its potential for supporting contemporary Korean immigrant churches. This study subsequently presents several essential aspects of pastoral rest with reference to 1 Kings 19. It will be of assistance to Korean immigrant pastors and church members with regard to the maintenance of a healthy and balanced ministry, both physically and spiritually.