SABBATICAL SUPPORT
Why Rest is So Important...
In our culture, it is common for people to work for forty-some years, retire, and then rest.
However, the Bible teaches of the importance of interspersing work and rest with a sabbatical (an extended Sabbath) every seventh year. We believe that if each pastor and leader spent intentional time to create well-thought-out, well-designed and well-timed sabbaticals we would witness far less burn-out and moral failure and would experience exceedingly more fruitful ministries as a result.
The Great Lakes Region strongly encourages the rhythm of a sabbatical every seventh year to give sustainable energy, perspective, renewal, vision, and rest. We deeply desire and need our pastors to be spiritually healthy, morally fit, visionary, spirit-led, and renewed in their heart, mind and soul. And it is from this place that we can accomplish the mission that God has set before us to seek and save the lost.
We have provided these resources for you in hopes that throughout your ministry career you will continue to cultivate a well ordered soul. Our desire is not only to resource you in this process, but to support you and be an advocate for you as you seek to put Psalm 23 to the test.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul.”
GLR Sabbatical Testimonials
Sabbatical Policies and FAQs
Why?
Pastors are Christ’s ambassadors to hurting and lost people. They have been called to this and find joy in serving God and people; however, it is an intense calling. This ministry – always giving out and serving others – isn’t sustainable without intentional time of stepping away.
The pastor cares at very deep levels with the joy of weddings, graduations, births, etc., but also the anguish of death, tragedies, health failures, divorces, etc. The emotional roller coaster is always a part of the ministry and, even though pastors sustain themselves in prayer, devotion, and the support of family, the 24/7 work does take its toll. The intentional stepping away for a time can be so beneficial to both the pastor and the congregation.
The argument may be raised from those not in vocational ministry that secular careers do not receive sabbaticals. Our response is that the sabbatical is not just for the pastor, but for the congregation as well. Because of the weight, stress, and expectations that can be high and unrelenting, we deeply believe that a sabbatical will raise the pastor to a higher level of leadership, vision, focus and energy which absolutely will benefit the church. Pastors need to be taken out of circulation for a time to re-vision and re-structure their lives in communion with Christ and His Kingdom. Some things require time and solitude, especially when seeking God’s renewal and voice.
The Great Lakes Region and Denominational Support:
The Wesleyan Discipline (our denominational handbook) states:
Every Wesleyan church is encouraged to provide a sabbatical leave for its pastor(s) at least every seven years of service. A sabbatical shall be for a minimum of four weeks in excess of vacation time with financial provision as approved by the local board of administration.
How long should a sabbatical be?
While the Wesleyan Discipline gives a minimum of 4 weeks, we have found that 7-9 weeks is much more beneficial and recommend a minimum of 7 weeks.
Timetable for Planning
We recommend the sabbatical be approved and planning begin a minimum of 6 months in advance by the pastor and the leadership team.
When is a bad time to plan for a sabbatical?
We recognize that there are times when it would not be best to take a sabbatical such as:
- When major church or personal issues are being wrestled with
- When significant conflict is present between the pastor and the congregation
- If the minister is on the edge of burnout and needs professional counseling, not just rest
- If it is known that the pastor will be leaving within the year
- When the timing is detrimental to the congregation’s current context
- If the leadership, along with the GLR, feels for various reasons it would not be the best timing.
We encourage an intentional, multi-faceted sabbatical, which could include:
- A soul-refreshing element for your spiritual life – time alone, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to you
- Marriage retreat or enrichment – a pastor is better and stronger when he/she has a healthy marriage
- Family – a pastor does not have a weekend break; intentional time to connect with the family is encouraged
- Education, growth
- Reflection, Visioneering, Refocus
Some give a percentage for each facet, or specific time allotted for each.
Some Things To Consider
Recommendations:
Jay Fowler From PastorServe | jay.fowler@pastorserve.org
Ed Rotz from PastorServe | ed.rotz@pastorserve.org
Everyone Benefits From a Well Ordered Soul
The congregation is not giving the pastor a sabbatical, but the congregation, as a whole, is in partnership with the pastor, undertaking a renewal and revitalization period for the benefit of the entire congregation. The congregation will reap benefits from the pastor’s sabbatical, which can include:
- The weekly messages have new vibrancy
- There is a new level of energy and focus
- The pastor becomes much more proactive rather than reactionary
- The church discovers they are not personality-driven by the pastor and do not rely on the pastor alone
How can I plan financially for a sabbatical?
The church should provide financially for a sabbatical to be possible. Some info and considerations:
- Salary is paid with no deduction from PTO during sabbatical
- Full Strength Network may be able to provide respite locations that are reasonably priced for ministers. (Every lead pastor is provided a FSN account; every church staff member can receive an account for an annual cost).
- Sabbaticals may trigger other financial expenses for the church to ensure the continuation of ministry, e.g., pulpit supply.
- Understand the tax implications. If sabbatical expenses are paid for by the church (via business expense or expense reimbursement) the employee is not responsible for taxes. However, if it is an honorarium given to the employee, that is taxable income.
- If the sabbatical plan includes spousal participation, determine if the church will assist with these expenses.
- You may research other possible financial resources. (Realize these may take quite a bit of preparation and effort without a guarantee of a grant and may also have restrictions on the sabbatical)
- Louisville Institute – https://louisville-institute.org/
- Lily Grant – https://lillyendowment.org/for-grantseekers/renewal-programs/pastors/
How should I return after a sabbatical?
A reentry plan should be included in the sabbatical preparation. Some metrics to be considered on reentry:
- Am I doing too much/not enough? Are there things that need to change?
- What do I need to change to adopt healthy rhythms and balance?
- What steps to I need to pursue to remain healthy?
It is our recommendation that the pastor commit to stay a minimum of one year after the sabbatical.
