The word “sabbatical” has different meanings depending on the context in which it is used. It has one meaning in the academic community, another meaning in its biblical usage, and still another in many secular settings.
For the purpose of this article, I define sabbatical in simple terms. It simply means time off for rest and/or study. The time can be a few days, a few weeks or, on rare occasions, a few months. The pastor is given paid leave for rest, rejuvenation and, perhaps, deeper study. I would love to see churches of all sizes provide this requirement of their pastor, even if it’s only for a few days.
I have the opportunity to work with lay leaders and pastors. I have a pretty good view of both perspectives. And I am convinced that more lay leaders need to insist their pastors take regular breaks even beyond vacations. Allow me to provide five reasons for my rationale.
- A pastor has emotional highs and lows unlike most other vocations. In the course of a day, a pastor can deal with death, deep spiritual issues, great encouragement, petty criticisms, tragedies, illnesses, and celebrations of birth. The emotional roller coaster is draining. Your pastor needs a break—many times a break with no distractions.
- A pastor is on 24-hour call. Most pastors don’t have an “off” switch. They go to sleep with the knowledge they could be awakened by a phone call at anytime of the day. Vacations are rarely uninterrupted. It can be an exhausting vocation, and a sabbatical can be a welcome time to slow down.
- Pastors need time of uninterrupted study. It doesn’t usually happen in the study at church or home. There is always the crisis or need of the moment. Church members expect sermons that reflect much prayer and study. The pastor’s schedule often works against that ideal. The sabbatical can offer much needed, and uninterrupted, study time.
- Pastors who have sabbaticals have longer tenure at churches. Though my information is anecdotal, I do see the trend. And while I cannot prove a cause-and-effect relationship, I feel confident that pastors who have sabbaticals are much more likely to stay at a church because they are less likely to experience burnout.
- Pastors who have sabbaticals view the time off as an affirmation from their churches. I have heard from many pastors who share with me a sentence similar to this one: “I know my church loves me because they give me a sabbatical.” Pastors need affirmation. Sabbaticals can accomplish that goal.
I estimate that only about five percent of churches offer sabbaticals. In almost every case where I am familiar, the relationship between pastor and congregation is very healthy. I do think at least one of the reasons is the sabbatical.
What is your view of sabbaticals for pastors? What would you add to my five reasons?
Posted on February 1, 2014
With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America.
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162 Comments
Thom, thanks for the article. The title alone was worth brining about the discussion that was needed to be started here. I will not get into what has already been said pro vs con and I will not try and defend or refute either side. I truly believe there were some on here that reacted first (we used to call that a gut-reaction) without prayer, without the Spirit’s guidance, and without any research. Things like this remind me of God’s Children meaning well, but taking a PC stance for something or aginst something and they have done no research on the subject before opening their mouth and proving how ignorant they are on a given subject. My family has gone through so much that I believe I can say with confidence that if some of the pastors (or laymen) that have written here went through they would have quit with less happening to them. Long story short-my wife’s mother passed away, my mother open heart surgery, my father going through cancer and radiation at the same time, our elemenatary son for almost 2 years has had uncontrolled seizures, my wife has had 2 surgeries (without a single church member come to check on us or help us with meals, even though we serve the church without reservation), I have had 2 personal health scares (and lots of tests), and a teenager (with ADHD) and a 2 year old todller. Our church is a small church plant that has seen some growth and at the same time when you start to grow and gain momentum, we have had couples leave for all kinds of different reasons. God does coninue to show His faithfulness (even when the church members don’t). Our Elders came to me and ask what a “sabbatical” was and if it was something they could give me to help with alot of what we have been going through. I was pleased with their desire to search out something to do, whereas just doing some of the things a church members should be doing anyway and being the church’s own cheerleader would be a start. We did our research and put this into place. I think this will help some who don’t understand what a “sabbatical” is and help others who may be contemplating establishing the opprtunity in their church. A sabbatical is not a vacation. In fact it is not to be taken with the family. This is a time for an individual to get away without being disturbed by the church or his family duties to reflect on his ministry, his messages, and his mission. To those who were asking for scripture, believe it or not, Jesus did take several of them and taught them to the disciples. He often said to “get away to a solitary place” and this was not with their families. He even took one for 40 days and nights himself “before” he started on His “mission” to start the church. Our Elder Board set these paramaters: 1. This is not a vacation and this is for the pastor not his family. He better use his vacation time for his time with his family (too many pastors use their vacation time while with their family to do these church things that should be done during a sabbatical, instead of spending time undivided time with their families.) 2. After 10 years you are allowed 4-8 weeks off for a sabbatical with Elder Board approval prior (each year as needed with prior approval from Elder Board first). 3. The Pastor must present what his “need is” for the sabbatical and the goals he would like to accomplish while away. (ex: how will you be able to prove or measure the success of your sabbatical. Books read, books/papers/messages written, excercise goals, vision refreshed, direction for the church, etc.) 4. The Pastor must present how things will be taken care of in his absence (for his ministry and his family). 5. Immediately upon return he will meet with the Elder Board and present his measurements of attaining his goals set forth for his sabbatical. 6. The Edlers will meet and determine based upon that if his time was well spent and he accomplished the goals they approved prior to him leaving. If he didn’t or he accomplished some, they are able to make a determination based off of that if he will have to pay back some of the pay while away or if it will still be paid for as prior approved. I hope this helps clarify to some people at least what our church felt a sabbatical is and approved to be. Thanks again Thom for getting the discussion started. To some of us war wounded servants still plugging along we could use some time off to go to the top of the mountain to spend some time without ministry, church members, and family to simply see if we can get the face to glow once again and come back down with new marching orders and a fresh new direction to go!
Because of Him,
PJ
If this defines a sabbatical, I KNOW I wouldn’t want one now. Repay part of the money that the Elders decided I had not measured up to using right, according to their way of thinking? I don’t think so! Quite frankly, I hear some bitterness (probably justified!) and it sounds likes someone on the edge of burnout. If PJ is going to stay there, it sounds to me like he needs to preach a long series of sermons on the church, its nature, its responsibilities to each other, etc. Eph. 4: 11,12 would be the unifying theme of the series. That series would be just the start. This church is in trouble and if it doesn’t get straightened out, PJ may need to find somewhere else to be. I don’t mean to sound too strong, and I do not mean to offend, but sometimes we need someone to talk straight to us, whether we like it or not.
WoW! This post has received a lot of emotional posts. As a pastor who has also been ten years in the business world in a high stress position an a pastor for twice as many years I can testify to the fact that pastoral stress is significant and quite different from the stress I experienced in the business world worrying about project deadlines, budgets and the demands of a few unreasonable bosses along the way. Without a doubt we all need more time off! Marriages are crumpling because most businesses care nothing at all about the health of their employee’s marriages or if employees are on the brink of burnout. Employees are like cogs in a giant machine. If the cog wears out for whatever reason, you just replace it in the least costly and most cost-effective manner. THAT IS THE WORLD! That should not be the church. IF church leaders want the be led and taught by healthy pastors then they need to do what they can to lead their church to provide for their pastors physical and emotional needs. Churches need to set an example for the world to follow in the grace-filled way they treat their pastor and other paid staff. If that means offering a sabbatical to pastors every 5 or 7 or 10 years and paying them a wage above a living wage and providing them REAL days off and uninterrupted vacation times then that is what church leaders, led by the Holy Spirit should influence their churches to do. Maybe that means the pastor DOES get treated better by your church than you do by your very ‘for profit’ corporation. Isn’t that how it SHOULD BE?
In every church where I have served as pastor there have always been people who thought my salary was too much because it was more than they made even though I sacrificed to receive a masters degree and many of them did not bother to do anything bet get out of high school. There have also been people in every church who thought I should not have any more than two weeks vacation and no days off other than Saturdays and whatever is left of Sunday and not ever drive a car newer than theirs. I cannot imagine any less Christlike way of deciding what a pastor needs than what the godless corporation has ‘blessed’ you with as an employee.
Take an afternoon off and get out of the office if you are getting the burnout or need to clear your head. Even the Pope took the afternoon off sometimes. And being Pope is an entire lifestyle change. Now, it is well known that Blessed John Paul II would go to Northern Italy and ski in the afternoons if little were going on in the Vatican. He said he enjoyed enjoying and experiencing G-d’s creation.
Really! From my entire comment, you only see a “Snickers” reference made in jest and you attack me presonally? Very Christ-like! I am praying for you.
After 8 years at my current church experiencing growth each year, I found myself with no vision or strength to keep going. I contemplated going to another church or even planting a church, but after much counsel and prayer realized I was just burning out. My deacons have agreed to a 90 day sabbatical to help get my focus and to dream new dreams for our church. It is not a vacation, but an investment of time to guard against the breakdown of my relationship with Christ, my marriage, and my pastoral ministry; breakdowns that occur frequently in the secular world where rest is not valued.
Every pastor is different and so is their situation. I write only from my own experience. I have been a full-time pastor for almost 24 years. I take a week vacation most every year and short 2-3 day trips when I can. I do not have a scheduled day off but God gives me plenty of rest. I not only do ministry, but I mow grass, plow snow, and do most repairs around the church. I always want to be available 24/7 when the people need me. Why would I need a sabatical from what I love to do? Why do I need to “get away” to be renewed when the Lord renews me daily? How could I possibly get down when I see our amazing God at work every day? Burn out in ministry happens when I serve in my own strenght. I don’t have a job. I have the great calling of serving my Lord and ministering to His flock. Why would I want to “get away” from that? Even though I am in my 60’s I have no plans to retire. My “sabatical” will be when I hear the words, “Well done thy good and faithful servant.” I pray that I can “burn out” for Him! Maybe you just need a Snickers!
Isaiah 40:29-31
Yes sir, I’d love to be in your congregation. What compassion. Kids sick?! “Have a snickers” Marriage falling apart, “Have a snickers” “Man I love this 24/7… With such callousness I can see why you don’t need a break
That your “go to?” “Have a snickers?” Man the compassion exudes. Your congregation is lucky to have you. What’s that, marriage failing, “have a snickers” no wonder you don’t need the time off…. IF that’s your standard, You’re taking it.
I actually like the “Snickers” part but I do have to say, not everyone God calls is a wonderful, out-going extrovert as you seem to be. The prophet Amos comes to mind as someone who did not enjoy being in the lime-light but was called to carry God’s Word into the world and did so faithfully. I also think of Elijah, when under pressure got away until he could once again hear that “still, small voice” and distinguish it from all the other cacophony around him.
I have a friend in the ministry who strikes me as being a lot like how you describe yourself. He would be with people and preaching every hour of every day if he could… …I ain’t him, but I love my calling. I just happen to be created an introvert and need silence and stillness to recharge from time to time…
Barry, I enjoyed reading your post, and from the beginning, you impressed me as a very compassionate and dedicated pastor. Your comment about taking your sabbatical when you hear the voice of the master welcoming you home reminded me of the words of a Gunnery Sergeant I served with many years ago. Gunny Fanion used to declare “I’ll rest when I am dead. ” in my opinion, Gunny was a great marine, and a superb role model and an exemplary leader. Semper Fi, brother Barry.
As a pastor’s wife and a pastor’s daughter, I feel I can speak to this. Neither my dad or my husband have had a sabbatical. I think it is an amazing opportunity for ministers. To address the layman’s point of view-I am a school teacher and so I understand not being a full-time minister sorta! The difference? In my job, my husband does not have to come spend all hours with me at my job. He doesn’t leave his job to come straight to mine. I do, however, spend hours with church responsibilities on top of my full-time job. Ministry is often a family job. Our entire family is on call 24/7. When there is a hole to fill, my kids and I jump right in. I truly believe a minister’s family needs sabbatical time. People ask why PK’s go bad. I say it is often because they don’t have normal lives like other people’s kids. The life of a ministry family is NOTHING like the life of any other. You can’t even compare the two. My husband, in addition to full-time pastoring, also has a side job. This allows us to pay for extra expenses that come our way. Does your job pay for your health insurance? My hsuband’s job does not. There is no way to compare the job of a minister and his family to that of a businessman. Sorry! Jumping off soapbox now!
I just took 4 weeks. Yes, my church and I have a great relationship after nine years, BUT honestly, it wasn’t an option, I had to take time off OR perhaps never be in ministry again…
I couldn’t believe. What a few weeks (uninterrupted) did for my clarity, creativity, compassion and most if all my family! Obviously, spending time with God just for the sake of alone time and worship was refreshing.
People have no idea what it’s like to constantly “fix a meal” for others, BUT not have time to eat.
Remember guys out best “work” is overflow… Otherwise, the “Master Chef” dies of starvation.
I also recommend the book “Leading on Empty” you’re not alone, and you’re worth it!
Pastors need time away for their wives and children. The job of a real or should i say a full time pastor demands a lot of time away from family. Their families often go without their loved one and make major sacrifices. So, to compensate for that they need time away from it all. They are just as important as the congregants. Plus pastors need time to just chill and enjoy quiet time to be refreshed and to hear from God.
Marilyn,
Your response reminds me of the importance of Sabbatical for a pastor’s family. In my last church we totally relocated our facility doing a lot of the work ourselves. Not wanting to let the pastoral work slip during relocation I consistently put in 70 + hour weeks. When I was home I literally collapsed into my chair. During this time I buried two babies in our church of 100 and walked through several family crises. Our people loved us but had no idea the toll this took on our family. I missed crucial times in my oldest son’ s life and he has since wandered from the faith. Sabbatical allowed me to spend needed time with my family that was eaten up during this very stressful time.
Jim, you said, “If I were a pastor…” in the words of Johnny Hunt….Please stop right there. You are not.
Never had one. Wish I could have one. Often need one. Not sure church thinks I need one.
Is this satire? (Serious question)
Is what satire? My response to Steve Johnson or the whole thread? Or what?