Sabbatical Resources
Wheat Ridge Ministries Downloadable Resources
Ministry Sabbatical Resource Center Information Sheet
Ministry Sabbatical Planning Tutorial – Ministry Leader
Ministry Sabbatical Planning Tutorial – Congregation
Ministry Sabbatical Policy Development Guidelines
Best Practices for Planning a Ministry Sabbatical
Sample Sending Liturgy
Sample Returning Liturgy
Sabbatical Coaching Services
Although Wheat Ridge Ministries has discontinued the Ministry Sabbatical Grants, Rev. Timothy Fangmeier, Congregational Consultant and Coach, as well as Wheat Ridge Staff Associate, is available to assist ministry leaders and churches in the formation of sabbatical guidelines, plans and funding issues. This is a service of Wheat Ridge Ministries. Email Rev. Fangmeier at tim@giftedpeople.org.
General Congregation Resources
ELCA Leadership Support
WELS Congregation and Ministry Support
The Alban Institute – www.alban.org
Additional Resources
General Sabbatical Research
Why You Should Give Your Pastor a Sabbatical – A video featuring Roy Oswald, with leaders guide. ISBN 1-5669-247-8. Order from Alban Institute, 800.486.1318, ext. 244. Alban # AL238.
Keeping the Sabbath Wholly – by Marva Dawn, Eerdmans, 1999
Sabbath: Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest – by Wayne Muller, Bantom Books, NY, 1999
Healthy Congregations
Leadership Network – resources designed to encourage health among Christian Churches
The Alban Institute – Congregational Resource Guide
The Search Institute – Resources for ministry to children and youth
Ambassadors of Reconciliation – Workshops on Peacemaking for congregations
George Bullard, Spiritual Strategic Journey Tutorial – Tools for evaluating the mission and ministry of the congregation
Sabbatical Funding
The Lilly Foundation National Clergy Renewal Program
Sabbatical Planning & Ideas
Clergy Renewal: The Alban Guide to Sabbatical Planning – By A. Richard Bullock and Richard J. Bruesehoff. ISBN 1-56699-223-0. Order from Alban Institute, 1-800-486-1318, ext. 244. Alban # AL214
Clergy Self-Care: Finding a Balance for Effective Ministry – Alban Institute # AL125 Order from Alban Institute, 800.486.1318, ext. 244.
The Dark Side of Sabbatical — by Mark Miller-McLemore; Faith & Leadership website - An offering of Leadership Education at Duke Divinity
ClergySabbaticals.com – Living Waters Lutheran in North Port, Florida sponsors the Pastors2Go program, a sabbatical assistance program which (in exchange for light pastoral duties) provides pastors and their families a condo for lodging during a clergy sabbatical for 1-4 months.
ChristianHomeExchange.com – This website is the portal to the Christian Community at a home exchange organization with over 40,000 listings in 147 countries. A home exchange involves the concept, “You stay in my home while I stay in yours,” and is often an ideal solution for an affordable sabbatical.
Sabbatical Policy Resources
ELCA Sabbatical Policy Samples
Changing the Rhythm of Parish Ministry: Sabbatical Policy Insights – A 13-minute video produced by the Mutual Ministry Committee of Ascension Lutheran Church, Muskego, WI in collaboration with the ELCA Division for Ministry. Cost is $8.00. Order: Sabbatical Video, PO Box 492, Muskego, WI 53150-0492; include check payable to “Sabbatical Video.”
