Chuck Lawless

The Pastor’s Day Off: Monday? Friday? Another day?

Chuck Lawless | December 23, 2025
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Over the years, I’ve talked with pastors about the importance of taking a day off (though I’m still learning to do that myself. . . ). I’ve been interested in learning what day pastors take off, and I’ve learned that many take off Monday or Friday. Here is some of their reasoning:

Taking Monday off:

  1. “I need a rest from the weekend.” Sundays are tiring, and it’s good to get a break.
  2. “It gives me needed time to be with my family.” That’s especially the case after a busy weekend with the church family.
  3. “I need a day to debrief the weekend.” That matters the most when the church is struggling, and the pastor needs a day to get beyond the difficulties.
  4. “The day off helps me not to worry as much about attendance and giving numbers.” Spending time doing something he enjoys doing gives a pastor a new perspective.
  5. “Monday’s filled with follow up stuff from Sunday that a staff can usually handle.” That is, the pastor’s presence in the office on Monday may not be as critical.

Taking Friday off:

  1. “I’m going to be thinking about church anyway on Monday, so it makes sense to work that day.” Many pastors will be reviewing Sunday no matter what they’re doing on Monday. Friday as the day off makes more sense.
  2.  “I need a day of rest to get ready for the weekend.” Saturday is final review time, and Sunday will be busy – so rest is good.
  3. “It forces me to get my sermon done early in the week.” That way, the pastor can truly have a day off toward the end of the week.
  4. “It allows me occasionally to take two days in a row off.” At least with this schedule, a pastor can make an overnight trip with his family and be back for Sunday.
  5. “Other staff members take Friday off, too, so it’s tougher to schedule meetings, etc.” It’s practically more helpful to be in the office when others are there – and that’s not usually Friday.

Pastors, what day do you take off? What are your reasons for choosing that day?

Editor’s note: This article was originally published at chucklawless.com.

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Chuck Lawless

Director of the Center for Preaching and Pastoral Leadership

Dr. Lawless currently serves as Senior Professor of Evangelism and Missions, Dean of Doctoral Studies, and Vice-President for Spiritual Formation at Southeastern Seminary, where he holds the Richard & Gina Headrick Chair of World Missions. In addition, he serves as Team Leader for Theological Education Strategists for the International Mission Board. Dr. Lawless served as pastor of two Ohio churches prior to joining the faculty of Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY, in 1996. He received a B.S. degree from Cumberland College (now the University of the Cumberlands) and M.Div. and Ph.D. degrees from Southern Seminary. He is the author or editor of twelve works, and he has contributed several chapters to other resources. He and his wife, Pam, have been married for more than 30 years, and they reside in Wake Forest with their Aussie Shepherd, Max.

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