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Sabbaticals are an important part of the life and career of a healthy pastor. Having a suitable sabbatical plan can help contribute to pastors being refreshed and refocused. It can also help GCM Reliant missionaries stay on the field long-term, giving them time for refreshment and reflection regarding their ministry path. Defining a sabbatical A sabbatical is an extended time of spiritual rest, renewal, rejuvenation, reflection and refocus. It is not a vacation or Paid Time Off (PTO), nor is it only continuing education. It is a guided process where one deliberately trusts God for the outcome as they disengage from normal ministry responsibilities and leadership involvement for study, rest, renewal and evaluation of life and ministry. This can include reading books, attending seminars, studying, writing, prayer, etc. A sabbatical has an intended purpose and plan at the outset. This plan and purpose should be agreed upon between the local church leadership or ministry and the missionary. At the conclusion of the sabbatical, the missionary will give an account of their sabbatical time to both their local ministry leadership and to GCMReliant. |
Who is eligible?
- Pastor Level I and II
- Field Ministry Directors
- Staff Level II (with separate parameters)
- Employed by GCM Reliant at least 7 years
- Generally have been a pastor, field ministry director or Staff Level II role for at least 5-7 years
- Have not already taken a sabbatical within the past seven years
- Employed 40 hours full-time for the majority of their GCM Reliant employment
- MTD status must be in good standing with Missionary Resources
- If there is a substantial MTD deficit or shortfall, the Missionary Resources Director could withhold sabbatical approval until the MTD shortfall has been addressed.
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- Full salary and benefits will be paid during the sabbatical.
- Supervisor/Pastor approval (or board or church coach if you're a pastor) and GCM Reliant approval
- Agreed upon goals of the sabbatical time (can include rest, reading, prayer, time in the Word, continuing education, etc.)
- Planning for the sabbatical should generally begin at least six months prior to its start.
- Three months prior to the start of a sabbatical, a written Sabbatical Proposal must be submitted beforehand to both local church leadership and GCM Reliant for approval (see Sabbatical Request form on staffnet).
- A summary report after the sabbatical is completed will be submitted to both the local church leadership and GCM Reliant no later than 30 days after returning from the sabbatical.
- A sabbatical should not be seen as a right or mandatory benefit that is automatically earned once every 7 years. If a sabbatical is not taken, it cannot build up or accrue like Paid Time Off (PTO).
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- Reason for requesting the sabbatical
- Proposed dates of the sabbatical
- Potential benefits to the individual
- Potential benefits to the church or ministry
- Plan for covering job responsibilities during the sabbatical
- Specific goals and objectives for the sabbatical (books to read, travel involved, journaling, etc.)
- A summary of any anticipated expenses related to the sabbatical
- Proposal should be submitted at least 3 months prior to beginning of the requested sabbatical. (GCMReliant's approval process for proposals generally takes up to one week).
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- Travel, meals, and lodging for employee
- Meal per diem can be given for time away from home of 14 days or more
- Any spousal and family travel, meals or lodging is taxable. Must be deemed necessary.
- Books, conferences, study courses (GCM Reliant Education Reimbursement Program may apply)
- GCM Reliant Sabbatical approval is required before any expenses can be reimbursed
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- Any abuse or misuse of an approved sabbatical granted by GCM Reliant should be reported directly to the Missionary Resources Director. This could include a missionary returning to work during the time or simply treating the sabbatical like a long, extended paid vacation.
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