WHY DO I NEED A SABBATICAL?

As one who listens to a significant number of podcasts on a regular basis, and also continue to find myself in close contact with pastors, missionaries, and other Christian leaders, I cannot remember another time when I’ve heard so much conversation related to burnout. Statistics about leaders in the ministry world are at an all high when it comes to discouragement, depression, and frustration. Generally speaking, ministry has always been a challenge when it comes to emotional health. We have seen an increase in prominent pastors stepping down from ministry due to burnout, depression, and/or moral failure which has been further perpetuated by the Church’s stigma of mental illness. 

In response to the emotional toll that ministry leaders are experiencing, there is an increasing amount of conversation surrounding the importance of taking a sabbatical. Sabbaticals are just one tool that should be in the leader’s toolbox that prevent burnout. Because of the out-of-balance lifestyle of many Christian leaders, the suggestion of a sabbatical often becomes a last minute rescue plan. I grew up in a mindset that you work until you burn bright for Jesus, not recognizing that even Jesus himself took time to get away and rest.

If the statistics that we are receiving are true and this is a true reflection of the state of our pastors and leaders, it should not be a question as to whether or not sabbaticals are taken – but how often. 

A sabbatical is an extended time of Sabbath. Sabbaticals are a critical component to creating healthy rhythms for pastors and leaders. 

A sabbatical is not a vacation, though it may include one. It is an opportunity for pastors and leaders to go deeper in personal and spiritual development. It’s a way to refocus and renew their spirit, mind, and body to ensure they are not emotionally and spiritually drained or burned out.

When considering a sabbatical package, senior church leaders should ensure that a policy is in place to care for and protect your pastor and your church’s long-term health. If your pastor is burned out it can inevitably affect the long term health of the church, so considering a sabbatical plan can save you from experiencing the detrimental effects of pastoral burnout. 

Here are five reasons a Pastor needs a sabbatical: 

1. For Physical Rest

Pastors are often on the go from early in the morning until late at night. From helping to get their kids ready for school in the morning, to staff meetings and sermon prep during the day, to committee meetings in the evenings, Pastors don’t often have much downtime in their regular schedules. Factor in emergency trips to the hospital to be at a congregant’s bedside or calls to take care of some kind of situation at church, and there’s a good chance your Pastor is plain old tired. A sabbatical provides an extended period of physical rest for your Pastor.

2. For Mental & Creative Rejuvenation

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. 

Giving your mind a break from actively focusing on problems is maybe all they need. A sabbatical can help your Pastor become inspired again, whether that’s for sermon series ideas or casting new vision for your church. Having time to brainstorm, think freely and without the immediate pressure of the task or challenge at hand, and to experience a different setting can be very stimulating and inspiring for your pastor.

3. For Replenishment

Not only is a sabbatical a time for rest, but it is also a time to replenish. In the same way that farmers rotate crops and also leave fields fallow to rebalance and restore nutrients to the soil, so a sabbatical can be a time for a Pastor to rebuild his or her own “nutrients” by reading and studying more extensively, spending time with other Pastors to learn from them, and to think and dream creatively in unstructured time.

4. For Reassurance 

Releasing a pastor for a sabbatical is an affirmation from the church. 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.

Going into ministry is anything but easy and those who faithfully serve a congregation can find it very rewarding to be recognized with a sabbatical leave. God has said that those who are faithful will be rewarded. When a church pastor or Christian leader are faithful to consider a sabbatical the church and the leaders are rewarded.