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Nov 17, 2020 · Below are seven of the most common reasons to consider taking a sabbatical. 1. An unhealthy pastor is a huge liability. Examples of pastors failing, burning out, or doing something radically stupid are too numerous to count. Every pastor who falls out of ministry leaves a devastated church in their wake.
This is an interview (Video and transcript) with Dave Rimoldi, associate professor of Spiritual Formation at Talbot Seminary and Senior Spiritual Director with Soul Shepherding. This interview covers both why it's so important to take a sabbatical as a person in ministry, as well as some of the common pitfalls and guardrails to ensure you experience a restful, healthy sabbatical should you ...
- Roadblocks and Downsides to A Sabbatical
- 6 Steps to Get You to A Sabbatical
- Recommended Resources
- What’s Next?
There’s no denying that taking a sabbatical has its risks. Here are a few worries that I hear from pastors: 1. Will people leave the church? 2. Will giving go down? 3. Who will we get to preach? 4. Who will do the things I do that must get done? There’s a one-word answer to those concerns. Preparation. Every problem can be worked out. You just need...
1. Decide what kind of sabbatical would be best for you.
You get to choose what you want to do. Mostly. Your Board must see the benefit, too. You’ll need to articulate to your Board and your congregation what your purpose is in taking a sabbatical, so do some thinking and research privately before you start talking about it. Here are a few questions to ask yourself: 1. Is there something I want/need to learn to become more effective in the next season of my ministry? 2. Do I want to pursue more formal education, maybe leading to another degree? 3....
My Ideal Sabbatical
My ideal sabbatical would be eight weeks. 1. I’d spend my first week relaxing, sleeping, journalling and making preparations for the rest of the time away. 2. Then I’d spend two weeks somewhere historical: in Europe, or Quebec, Israel, or Iran, investing what God did there, in and through His people. 3. I’d spend one to two weeks with my family, having pure fun. Maybe at a lake or cabin in the woods, or maybe just at home, enjoying God’s creation here in leisurely fashion. 4. Then I’d jump in...
2. Find out if your church has a policy on sabbaticals.
What parameters does the policy give you? Have you been at the church long enough to qualify? How much time is given? If your church doesn’t have a policy on sabbaticals, then collect a few examples of churches you know that give sabbaticals to their pastors. Call those churches and ask for a copy of their sabbatical policy. Usually sabbaticals are offered for 6-8 weeks every 5 years. If you aren’t eligible for another couple of years, then that gives you plenty of time to prepare for it. If...
Here are some articles and books that will help you plan your sabbatical. This 34-page resource unpacks the underestimated value of taking a ministry sabbatical. It also gives you guidance for making the most of a sabbatical when you do take one. Learn More “When I requested a sabbatical, I was rebuffed. Today, here’s what I would do differently.” ...
Download my worksheet to think through the obstacles, benefits, and preparation you need to do. We have a resource called the “Sabbatical SWOT Worksheet”. You can find it in the Pastor’s Personal Toolbox. It’s a library of our best tools and resources — all in one place. Tap below to learn all about it, and get the worksheet that goes with this art...
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- Steve Dulin
- There’s never a good time to go on a sabbatical. Something else will always be happening, but I go because I see the blessings and benefits of it, even if it’s just for two or three days.
- Find a place where you’re not easily distracted. It doesn’t have to be a freezing cabin in the woods, but it should be somewhere you and God can be alone.
- Start preparing for your sabbatical about a week ahead of time. Begin to consciously slow down your mind and thoughts so you will be prepared to focus on the Lord rather than work, projects, and issues.
- Bring plenty of paper, pens, pencils, and highlighters.
Jan 25, 2017 · Here are some things to keep in mind when negotiating a sabbatical: 1. Make sure you’re nailing your church’s goals. If you’re not really meeting your church’s goals, it’s going to be hard to make a strong argument for them to invest in more time for you to spend away from your church. Make sure confidence in your performance is high.
Excerpt: 'Planning Sabbaticals: A Guide for Congregations and Their Pastors'. In this excerpt from his recent book, author Robert C. Saler writes about pastoral sabbaticals as a time of reinvigoration and reflection for both church leaders and their congregations. Saler directs the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs and the Center for ...
Apr 14, 2024 · The word sabbatical comes from Sabbath, which simply means rest. We know rest is good because God rested on the seventh day after having created/worked the previous six. God blessed the seventh/Sabbath day and declared it holy (Genesis 2:2-3). The biblical idea of rest relates to the promise of God when he invites us to join Him in His rest.
