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 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 Reliant.