Sabbaticals are normally thought of as renewal leave of three months taken at one time.  Roy Oswald of the Alban Institute believes that those in ministry would benefit from a sabbatical every 4 to 7 years.

Ministry Sabbatical is not an extended vacation nor is it the same as academic sabbatical that normally involves extensive study.  In ministry sabbatical the physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual wellbeing of the worker is addressed.  The Ministry Sabbatical also provides a release and break from the routine and pressure of the call to ministry.  Often the opportunity to do something different for a period of time is in itself renewing.  The Biblical example of Jesus’ own frequent withdrawal to a quiet place to meditate, pray and be renewed is a model.  In his ministry, the constant demands of people led Jesus to step away on a regular basis.  Our research indicates that sabbatical plans can be very different and unique as long as certain principles are followed.

The Rocky Mountain Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America suggests three key elements be included in Ministry Sabbaticals:

     1. A time for personal relaxation.
     2. A time to pursue personal interests.
     3. A time of renewal around things that will directly benefit the congregation.

Pastor Art Umbach of the Southeastern District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod suggests that sabbaticals are very “individual.”  They are times of rest, spiritual renewal, new relationships and intellectual growth.  There might also be time for family and travel.  The bottom line is that Ministry Sabbatical time is a time “to not do what you normally do.”  For the entire article by Pastor Umbach, please visit www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?navid=538.

Professional church workers and congregations can have significant fears related to the concept of sabbatical.  Discussing and addressing these fears is critical to sabbatical success.  Members may fear what will become of us if our pastor is gone for three months.  Professional workers may fear another person filling their leadership role.  Sometimes the fears arise from an unhealthy dependence on the professional worker by the congregation.

Looking for more helpful information?

Please click here for a series of questions to guide in developing a sabbatical plan and then communicating it to the congregation.

Please click here for sabbatical policy development guidelines.