Why Don’t Pastors Use All Their Vacation Days?

test

About half of all American workers do not take all their allotted paid time off—the reasons why are relatively consistent across socioeconomic and demographic lines.

    • Half (52%) feel they don’t need the vacation time.
    • Half (49%) are worried they would fall behind at work.
    • A little less than half (43%) say they would feel bad about giving their co-workers additional work.

What about pastors? Few pastors use all their vacation days. One-third of the pastors say they always take fewer vacation days than the church permits.

How much vacation does a pastor receive? In an informal poll, we found nearly half of all pastors have two weeks or less of paid time off. Many pastors do not receive much vacation time, and then they don’t even utilize it!

    • None to 1 week (21%)
    • 2 weeks (28%)
    • 3 weeks (14%)
    • 4 weeks (25%)
    • 5 or more weeks (12%)

Some denominations do a better job than others in codifying vacation policies, but the reality is that far too many pastors simply are not taking advantage of this time away.

The pattern among pastors mirrors the general workforce in America. They are not getting the downtime they need, and those who have it are not taking it. Healthy patterns of rest are necessary for longevity. The expectation of 24/7 availability adds even more stress on pastors.

What are some of the reasons why pastors do not use their vacation days? I recently asked a few pastors in our online community, Church Answers Central, and on social media. Many clear themes emerged.

    • Constant interruptions occur while on vacation, so it’s not worth the effort for shorter trips.
    • Some pastors find it a challenge to coordinate with a spouse’s work schedule.
    • A few pastors mentioned their churches are generous with vacation days, and they do not need all the days every year. This group was the minority, but it was good to hear from some who received what they needed.
    • Co-vocational pastors must figure out how to be away from two job responsibilities.
    • Some full-time pastors field complaints from their churches over vacation, so they simply skip them.
    • Other pastors know the power vacuum caused by their absence could result in the wrong people trying to leverage power in the church (Yes, it can happen during a one-week vacation!).
    • Missing a Sunday is too much of a hassle, and the energy spent finding fill-ins is more than what is gained through a short vacation.
    • Extended vacations are not even a possibility for many pastors. Missing two Sundays in a row can be problematic.

Like many professionals, pastors often struggle to take full advantage of their vacation days. The challenges they face—from constant interruptions to the difficulty of finding coverage—highlight the unique pressures of pastoral ministry. Churches and pastors must prioritize creating realistic systems and supportive environments that encourage healthy rhythms of work and rest. When pastors take their well-deserved time off, they benefit personally and model the value of Sabbath rest to their congregations, fostering a healthier church community overall.

Posted on January 20, 2025


As President of Church Answers, Sam Rainer wears many hats. From podcast co-host to full-time Pastor at West Bradenton Baptist Church, Sam’s heart for ministry and revitalization are evident in all he does.
More from Sam

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

10 Comments

  • joey cunanan says on

    can i request for a soft copy of this article, it looks very interesting to read and discuss, GOD bless

  • Thank you for this article, insights and ability to read comments. . We provide our Pastor 6 weeks per year and he won’t-can’t take all weeks and typically rolls over to next year or request pay out for the weeks. Still problematic.
    We see the pull and demand on him and want him to rest. Ideas on structure so he won’t burn out to embers?
    Ideas appreciated. God bless you.

  • David Donahue says on

    Great article! Thank you!
    I am one of those lucky ones who receive five weeks of vacation. Then again, I am in my 31st year of ministry! Both sets of our families live 1,000 + miles away from us. Time with them has always been important. When we travel that far to see extended family, there is no coming back early. The phone? I turn it off. Pastors must recharge. We have to get away from our responsibilities. A friend once told me, ‘Work from your rest. Don’t rest from your work.’ In my experience, it is hard to have fresh ideas when I am exhausted or worn down. Finally, do your best to take two Sundays in a row. Be in the room the second Sunday, but let a guest speak. That extra bit of time has been very helpful for me.

  • Wayne Yeager says on

    I do “take” all of my allotted vacation days, but it is difficult and not always restful. Thankfully, we negotiated three weeks of vacation when I started. (Always ask. All they can say is “no.”) But financially, we can’t take three weeks of out of town vacation. It is expensive to travel, pay for hotels, activities, etc, especially on a pastor’s salary. I started using one week as a “staycation” but when the pastor isn’t out of town, the church members have no problem contacting me and I feel obligated to answer. My last staycation saw me working two of my vacation days by doing hospital visits and phone calls. I can see how many pastors just choose to forego it. If you work on your vacation, it’s not really a vacation.

  • In our confession of faith, not anyone can publicly preach, teach, or administer the sacraments, unless they are rightly called (a technical term which encompasses training, examination, call, and ordination). In small towns, it is hard to find someone to fill in on a Sunday when you are gone.

  • Good article, Sam. I just posted an article on my consulting Facebook page last week talking about pastors’ days off and have one that will post today on vacations. Must be the time we think about vacations 🙂