In our ongoing series that focuses on spiritual practices, we'll take an extended look at just one practice: Sabbath keeping.

Recently I spoke at a local church and the pastor stopped in to be, well, pastoral, I suppose. He asked about my topic, and I wasn't sure if he was interested or policing. So I told him the title was "Breathe: Creating Space for God in a Hectic Life," and that the three focus areas of this retreat were slowing, simplicity and Sabbath-keeping.

"Sabbath keeping," he repeated. "What's that?"

Uh, obeying the fourth commandment, I thought—but did not say.

"Well, um, keeping the Sabbath; taking a day of rest once a week," I said while feeling a little lame with that explanation. It's so much more.

"Huh," he said, looking at me. He seemed to be waiting for further explanation. I resisted the urge to say I would mail him a CD of my talks.

When a member of the clergy is unclear on what it means to obey one of the Ten Commandments, we're in trouble. Not just as ministry leaders, ...