How to Get a Sabbatical - Christianity Today

To get a sabbatical, I needed to change attitudes on three levels.

Level 1: The board

These people weren’t for or against sabbaticals. They didn’t have an opinion. No pastor before had ever asked for one, nor had they ever thought to offer.

Changing their attitudes was more a matter of educating than convincing. Aided by a pamphlet supplied by my district, (a copy is available at www.evansville.net/~jbeuoy/) I simply informed my board of what a sabbatical is about.

The pamphlet outlined the unique nature of a pastor’s workload (six-day workweeks, no free weekends, weeknights away from family, few free holidays, etc.) and possible effects (burnout, stress on the pastor’s family).

Then it listed the benefits: a grateful pastor who has renewed vision, a more grateful pastor’s wife, happier pastor’s children, a pastor with enhanced training, a deepened awareness of the love of the congregation for the pastor.

I didn’t have to do any selling. I just let them read it and then asked if they would approve two months in the coming year. Aside from concern over details of pulpit supply, there were no objections. My request was passed unanimously.

Two lessons I learned: (1) take in the help of an outside source, e.g., this article or a similar pamphlet from your denomination, (2) make sure you give enough advance notice.

Level 2: The congregation

If the elder board knew little about sabbaticals, the congregation knew even less. I learned the hard way that redundancy in communication is as important as back-up systems on an airliner.

After letting the congregation know about the dates of my sabbatical, I paid the matter little attention. That was a mistake. Several months before I was to leave, a congregation member came to an elders’ meeting.

“I work two jobs to support my family,” he said, “and no one gives me two months paid leave. Pastor Archetype never took a sabbatical. Why should Pastor Jay? I question his work ethic.”

I’d have made it easier for myself if I’d communicated better to everyone.

My suggestion: distribute the same material to the congregation that you give to your board. Write about it in your church newsletter. Use informal opportunities to get the message across. Then accept the fact that you’ll never have everyone’s approval.

Level 3: You

Boards and congregations can be won over. If they love their shepherd, they’ll probably come to support the concept. The most difficult person to convince may be you.

When a fellow pastor heard about my sabbatical, he said, “Either you are really self-confident or just a fool to leave your congregation for two months.” He saw the sabbatical as a risk that they might prefer me gone.

As a safeguard for the congregation and me, we built a provision into our sabbatical policy. I agreed not to use the time to look for another church, and they would not look for another pastor. We also agreed to a minimum of two years ministry after my return.

Another fear might be that the church will falter in your absence. We had just started a second service shortly before my original sabbatical dates. In order to insure some equilibrium I postponed my trip by two months.

When I left it was with the conviction that God would take care of the church in my absence. He not only kept them well. The attendance figures were up when I returned. He proved to me that I’m not as important as I might think.

A sabbatical may seem too good to be true. As pastors we’re used to struggle and weariness. Yet, with a slight change of attitude on these three levels, you can get that needed rest. You, your family, and maybe even the church will appreciate it.

Jay Beuoy Oak Hill Evangelical Free Church 1026 Oak Hill Road Evansville IN 47711