Who is eligible?

• Pastor/ Minister or Field Manager 1, 2 and 3
• Staff Level 2 & and 3 (with separate parameters)
• Employed by Reliant at least 7 years
• Generally have been a pastor, field ministry director or Staff Level 2 or 3 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 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.

Policy Parameters

Pastors, Ministers & Field Ministry Directors

• • 3-6 months in length
  • May request another sabbatical after 7 years

Staff Level 2 or 3

• • 1-2 months in length
  • May request another sabbatical after 7 years

Common Sabbatical Parameters

• • Full salary and benefits will be paid during the sabbatical.
  • Supervisor/Pastor approval (or board or church coach if you're a pastor) and 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 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 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).

Resource

• Share the Sabbatical Request Form with hr@reliant.org once completed

Sabbatical proposal should include

• 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.)
• People you are supervising/coaching
• 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. (Reliant's approval process for proposals generally takes up to one week).

Post-Sabbatical reports should include

• Spiritual benefits gained from the sabbatical
• Personal benefits gained from the sabbatical
• Benefits to the local church or ministry (if applicable)
• Summary of how well you met your goals and objectives for the sabbatical
• Summary of how your sabbatical went from your spouse's perspective (if applicable)

Sabbatical expenses that generally are reimbursable

• Reasonable expenses for travel, meals, and lodging for the employee to participate in activities in which the intent is for training, mentoring, intense study, meditation and reflection or similar purposes
• Meal per diem can be given for significant time away from the home. See Per Diem - U.S. for further details.
• Spousal and family travel, meals or lodging expenses must be deemed reasonable and necessary and are taxable if approved.
• Books, conferences, study courses (Reliant Education Reimbursement Program may apply)
• Reliant Sabbatical sabbatical approval is required before any expenses can be reimbursed
• Please inquire with the Reimbursements Coordinator at reimbursements@reliant.org before making major purchases and plans , to ensure the costs will be eligible for reimbursement.

Emergency "Sabbatical"/Leave

• This policy is not meant to address issues related to an emergency leave or a paid or unpaid leave of absence. These can mistakenly be treated or referred to as "sabbaticals." These requests will be handled and processed on a case-by-case basis by Missionary Resources.

Reporting Abuse

• Any abuse or misuse of an approved sabbatical granted by 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, an extended paid vacation.

Other Resources

• Clergy Renewal: The Alban Guide to Sabbatical Planning by Richard Bullock & Richard J. Bruesehoff