Sabbaticals for a Pastor: Why, How, and When
The Apostle Paul wrote of his many tribulations in 2 Corinthians 11. There he mentions how he had been falsely accused, maligned, arrested, whipped, starved, shipwrecked, and more. Interestingly, topping his long list of trials, Paul notes that “above all,” I have the burden of caring for the Lord’s Church. The stress of ministry can be formidable—and devastating if not properly managed. A sabbatical is a fine way to mitigate stress and renew one's spirit.
What is a Sabbatical?
A Sabbatical is a time of rest, prayer, and reflection on God’s Word. A Sabbatical is not allowing a guest speaker to preach for you one Sunday or taking a week off to paint your home—a Sabbatical is an intentional retreat from the mental and physical demands of ministry; it is a time to focus on God and seek comfort and guidance from the Spirit. A Sabbatical is a time for souls to seek God’s leading and contemplate deep spiritual issues.
Why Do Pastors Need Sabbaticals?
Though most pastors do not receive or take a Sabbatical, it is clear that a pastoral sabbatical is important and has a biblical foundation. Jesus modeled the importance of seeking solitary times of prayer and rest. The Sabbath rest is noted in Scripture—the Word notes that even the land is to receive a Sabbath rest. In a day when most pastors leave their churches every eighteen months and step out of the pastorate after five years, churches must do better at recognizing that sabbaticals benefit pastors and congregations.
Reasons to Consider a Sabbatical for a Pastor
1. Rest
Rest is important for the body and soul. Those who preach bear an extra spiritual burden and thus, it is especially important for these church leaders to seek renewal via a break in their standard course of events and responsibilities.
As the pastor steps toward weariness, he becomes less able to manage the formidable demands of his office and the spiritual attacks subject to those who lead in ministry. Petty criticisms become harder to shrug off, and conflict becomes more difficult to manage when deep rest and spiritual renewal is lacking.
2. Pursue God
Sabbaticals create opportunities for a pastor to step off the emotional roller coaster that is common to most who serve in leadership. A sabbatical presents an extended time to seek God, reflect on spiritual writing, and prayerfully seek the Lord and His will for the ministry they serve.
3. Clarify Your Calling
It is possible (if not common) for pastors to be called to new ministries, to develop new gifts, and to be led to engage in new ministry efforts as they grow in their ministry. One’s calling two years ago may not be exactly the same today. The intentional searching of deep spiritual issues allows one to begin discerning the Spirit’s leading for God’s work today and in the future.
4. Spend Time with Your Family
The health of the pastor’s family significantly impacts the vitality of a pastor’s ministry and the life of the church. Ministry leaders must guard and prioritize family. Those who spend quality time with their family are positioned to have happier and more successful ministries.
5. To Stretch (and Strengthen) Your Church
Many pastors have yet to experience a first sabbatical. Many smaller churches consider it too difficult to replace a pastor for an extended period of time (or consider a week of vacation a year a sabbatical). Few churches have a sabbatical policy whereby pastors automatically take a sabbatical every few years. Some ministries may believe the challenges of managing a pastor’s absence outweighs the benefits of offering a pastoral sabbatical. However, the biblical foundation for taking a sabbatical is evident, and the emotional, mental, and spiritual benefits can be significant.
6. Study and Plan Ahead
A sabbatical creates time to pray, seek God, walk with Jesus, and strategically plan for the future. It is a time to seek the Spirit's leading for the congregation's welfare and to identify God’s leading regarding ministry development, teaching focus, and the overall life of the church.
How Long Should a Sabbatical Be?
A true sabbatical is more than a weekend—and more than a week. It takes time to tune out and tune into God. A duration of four weeks to several months is preferred. This extended time away from the pulpit can be difficult for pastors, particularly for smaller churches where the pastor wears many hats. However, a proper sabbatical can yield great dividends for the clergy and the congregation.
Where Should a Sabbatical Take Place?
Many believe a sabbatical should be in a new location—unfamiliar and away from distractions and the pressures of ministry. It should be in a quiet place, a place conducive to prayer, listening, seeking Jesus, and quiet worship. A ministry conference is not a sabbatical. A powerful worship seminar or concert is not a sabbatical. Model Jesus, who sought solitude and invested in intentional times of prayer and spiritual reflection.
Why is a Sabbatical Important for the Pastoral Ministry?
Those who are in it for the long haul know they need refueling to complete their journey. And, following the analogy, even the best cars benefit from a tune-up every now and then. A pastor carries different responsibilities and faces different pressures than lay leaders. A pastor's need for refueling (reviving) their spirit and taking time to seek the Lord's leading is great.
What Pressures are Faced by a Founding and Lead Pastor?
Yes, all Christians are targets of the enemy, but pastors are especially hated and attacked by the enemy—particularly those who are ‘notable’ and those who serve as lead pastor, church planter, or solo pastor (all vulnerable positions). Founding pastors are sometimes thought of as the everything pastor because, often, the founding pastor provided leadership for multiple ministry areas (secretarial, youth, music, outreach, missions, custodial, etc.). These leaders bear the unique responsibility of guarding the birth and growth of a church and are vulnerable to burnout. Lead Pastors often serve larger churches, and though that means they have more staff, workers, and dollars to work with, they also have more problems to address. Lead pastors know where the buck stops, and so do many congregations. Unclear boundaries, days off, time off, and time away can tax the soul.
Satan knows that if those who preach and serve can grow weary—if ministry leaders are not optimally positioned to fulfill their falling, then the church ministry will suffer. Satan attacks the mind and the soul. Those who do not seek renewal opportunities can experience a kind of break in their sense of calling and anointing, which can reflect in how they speak, teach, and identify God’s course for the church.
How Can the Church Ministry Support Sabbaticals for Pastors
The small church and large church should support their pastor by creating a sabbatical policy and plan to carry on, short term, in the pastor’s absence. There should be a plan to train lay leaders to serve and lead in worship, preaching, prayer, and teaching the Word. Congregations should be taught the benefit of sabbaticals for those who lead in pastoral ministry. Christians should be trained to develop their gifts, present sermons, and serve. In this way, a sabbatical can be a growing and beneficial time for church members and pastors.
And finally, a congregation can begin preparing to accommodate a pastoral sabbatical by budgeting for their pastor to have an extended time away every 3-5 years.
How Does a Sabbatical Benefit Church Members?
Churches can benefit from coordinating a true sabbatical for their pastor in four primary ways. 1) A congregation can grow in understanding the biblical foundation for rest and how the biblical principle applies to believers in general (and leaders in particular) today. 2) Churches can grow in stewardship planning as a good sabbatical policy requires good budgeting 3) Congregations will grow in their gifting and service as individuals step up to cover needs arising from the pastor’s absence and 4) a ministry will benefit when their pastor experiences deep rest and the blessing of having time to revive his soul and seek the Lord in prayer.
Creating a Pastor Sabbatical Plan
1. Decide What Kind of Sabbatical Would Be Best for You.
Sabbaticals can take on different focuses: Study, prayer, strategic planning, writing, etc. Wise leaders set goals, prioritize, and attempt to accomplish a few goals rather than attempting to tackle too many and accomplish none.
2. Find Out if Your Church Has a Policy on Sabbaticals.
When exploring your call to a church, ask if a sabbatical policy is in place. If not, or if you have been at your church for some time and no such policy is in place, gently share the merit and biblical foundation for a sabbatical. Outline what a first sabbatical might look like—share budgeting, leadership gap coverage, and timetable suggestions. Ask the church to prayerfully consider the matter and revisit the issue again in the near future.
3. Make a Plan to Cover the Costs.
Good budgeting is an important part of the sabbatical experience. A church should cover the pastor’s salary and expenses related to the sabbatical. Church leaders should also budget for guest speakers and the expenses related to filling gaps in the pastor’s absence.
4. Choose the Best Time to Take a Sabbatical.
Good planning is critical for a good sabbatical experience. Do not plan to take a sabbatical during important seasons in your church’s life (typically, these include the regroup from summer/back to school season, the Thanksgiving to Christmas season, and the Easter to Mother’s Day season. Speak to church leaders, give several suggestions, and minimize conflict by allowing lay leaders to share in scheduling a sabbatical.
5. Get Your Board's Approval and Support.
Some pastors serve in environments where they have great flexibility in setting their schedules. In these ‘ruling elder’ environments, the pastor can do many things, but that does not mean he should do many things. Ensure the sabbatical experience is as positive and beneficial as possible by communicating well with family, church leaders, and the congregation. Seek their blessing. Educate and hand-hold late adaptors so as many as possible are on board with funding and supporting what can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor.
6. Be Thorough in Your Preparations.
Proper preparation includes scheduling, funding, educating, prioritizing/focusing, and staffing. The church is God’s gift to this age—guard it. Respect it. Pastors, do what you can to ensure the church's minister, and your ministry, has a long and vibrant life.
Is a Pastor Sabbatical For You?
Few pastors take a sabbatical—few churches have a sabbatical policy. However, the biblical principle of rest and the benefit of having an extended time to seek Jesus and revive the soul is undisputed. Pastors are targets and, like Jesus, should seek times of deep rest, earnest worship, prayer, and reflection.
Conclusion
A congregation, the pastor’s family, church leaders, and pastors can benefit when a sabbatical is planned well. Pastors, it may take several years to have a budget, policy, leaders, and plan in place, but don’t let that stop you from moving forward in that direction. The best things take time. Be patient. Many Christians don’t understand what a sabbatical is and why it is important. In step with the Lord's leading, begin the process of educating our congregation and leaders today.
