Concordia College

Preparing

As a pastor, we recommend that you educate your congregation on the importance of sabbaticals and develop a policy for sabbaticals, even if you will not actually benefit from it. Communication is key. Assume that it will take at least a couple years to get the congregation to develop a sabbatical policy. Use the guidelines from your denomination or judicatory to support you.

First, assume that a sabbatical is possible. Next, think of the reasons why you need a sabbatical. Then think of what you will do on your sabbatical. Don’t think of the sabbatical as a reward, however. Think of it as an opportunity for renewal for both you and the congregation.

The congregation needs to agree to pay your salary and benefits during the sabbatical. That will be the financial contribution of the congregation. Try to get your colleagues to form a ministerium for the purpose of making sabbaticals possible. A group of 15 or 20 pastors should be able to agree to allow one or two of their fellow clergy to go on sabbatical each year by agreeing to take responsibility for hospital calls, funerals and other emergencies. Retired pastors in the area may also be willing to help out.

Perhaps the pastor may be willing to take a temporary cut in salary to assist the congregation if it is necessary to pay for pulpit supply. However, consider having lay leaders take over presiding at the regular liturgies. Bear in mind that you will be gone only about three months or so, and probably a good chunk of that will be in the summer.