Posted on November 24, 2025 by Rev. Nathan Grewe, tLMHC
Church Worker Wellness
Share
We live in an age that has nearly erased the word wait from our vocabulary. Packages arrive on the same day. Entertainment auto-plays before we ask. Answers appear instantly with a tap or swipe. Our world relentlessly trains us to expect immediacy—and to grow anxious, frustrated, or even despairing when our desires are not met on demand.
And then comes Advent. Not only is wait not erased, but WAIT is written in big, bold letters.
The Church Year refuses to rush. It calls us to slow down, to watch, to long, to hope. Advent is a season shaped not by instant gratification, but by holy expectation. For pastors, teachers, DCEs, and all who serve the Church, this contrast is especially sharp. You shepherd souls who are deeply formed by hurry, while you yourself are not immune to the pressures that come from a culture of “now.”
This tension brings Advent’s riches into clearer focus: the story of God’s people has always been one of waiting—not passive waiting, but faithful, watchful, hope-anchored waiting.
Israel waited centuries for the promised Messiah.
Zechariah and Elizabeth waited for answered prayer.
Mary waited in hiddenness as the Word grew in her womb.
And now the Church waits for Christ’s return, even as we confess that He already comes among us in Word and Sacrament.
Putting on my clinical hat, waiting is uncomfortable because it exposes our vulnerability. Waiting means we are not in control. It surfaces anxiety, restlessness, and the ache of unfinished things. As I sit with clients, waiting often becomes the crucible where faith, trust, and endurance are tested and formed.
Advent names this reality openly rather than pretending it away. The season invites us to sit with longing—not to be consumed by it, but to let it draw us toward the One who fulfills His promises in His time.
or church workers, this invitation is both gift and challenge. You minister to people who carry their own deep waits: for healing, for reconciliation, for clarity, for stability, for answers to prayers long prayed. You carry your own as well.
Advent gives you permission to acknowledge that some things remain unresolved. It lifts your eyes from the pressure to “fix it now” and redirects your gaze to the God who comes precisely to those who wait in hope.
St. Paul writes, “If we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience” (Romans 8:25). Patience here is not resignation. It is the Spirit-given confidence that the God who acted decisively in the incarnation will act again in His perfect time. His timing is never late, never rushed, and never dependent on the speed of our world.
Advent is your reminder that waiting is not failure. It is formation.
As you light candles, preach, teach, and care for the people entrusted to you, may this season slow your spirit, deepen your longing, and anchor you again in the promise that Christ has come, Christ is coming, and Christ will come again.
In a world addicted to immediacy, Advent invites the Church to breathe deeply, to watch with expectation, and to rediscover the holy goodness of waiting.
Our church needs healthy workers. Lutheran Family Service knows the importance of proactive wellness and encourages church workers to prioritize mental health just as much as physical health. We have years of experience serving church workers in LCMS congregations and schools. If your congregation, yourself, or a church worker you know would benefit from the support of Lutheran Family Service, refer to or contact us today.
More posts about Church Worker Wellness
