When the Pastor Rests: The Congregation’s Sabbatical Story
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Many ministries are learning the true value of offering their church workers a ministry sabbatical. This is an extended time away with the sole purpose of finding rest and renewal, not only physically, but also mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The often-demanding work of ministry can take a toll on a church worker, frequently without them being fully aware until the damage is done. We see this regularly with parish pastors in their passion to serve.
In Leviticus 25, we find instruction to allow the land to rest in the seventh year. The ground was to lay fallow so that in the following years, it would be more productive. This is the goal of a ministry sabbatical, allowing the church worker a time of rest so their work can become more productive; and where well-planned sabbaticals have happened, we see the fruit borne by what may seem like a risky decision by the congregation.
The impact of a ministry sabbatical for a pastor also benefits the congregation. Consider the summary of comments from a congregational leader reflecting on the impact of their pastor’s ministry sabbatical. The most common thought shared was how energized their pastor was when he returned. “He was full of renewed vision, and we can hardly keep up with him,” said one enthusiastic leader. He was elated to see how excited his pastor was, with new ideas and “tons of energy.”
While it is not uncommon to hear comments like, “Why should he get a sabbatical; I don’t get one with my job…” Or, “That’s too long a vacation. Is he looking for a new job?” Or, “How will we manage without the pastor being here?” Educating a congregation about a ministry sabbatical and helping them understand its value is essential to success.
Another leader shared how the congregation was initially indifferent to allowing their pastor to take a sabbatical. The leader shared that while people came onboard in supporting the sabbatical at different times, some not until he returned, the agreement to support this blessed their ministry. Leaders stepped into new roles, discovered new gifts in God’s people and learned how to be more adaptive in ministry. Congregation members became more aware of the multitude of things the pastor did to keep the ministry moving forward, and there was an increase in voluntarism and a renewed ownership of the ministry.
A ministry sabbatical not only offers church workers much needed rest and renewal, but it also offers congregations the chance to rediscover their values and God-given strengths as they sacrificially step into new roles for the sake of their church worker and, more importantly, for the sake of God’s kingdom.
