Have a nice little quippy introduction for a few sentences. Sabbaticals are an important part of the life and career of a healthy pastor or ministry worker. Having a suitable sabbatical plan can help contribute to field staff being refreshed and refocused. It can also help field staff remain in the field long-term, giving them time for refreshment and reflection regarding their ministry path.

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Greetings Fellow Traveler!

Sabbaticals are an important part of the life and career of a healthy pastor or ministry worker. Having a suitable sabbatical plan can help contribute to field staff being refreshed and refocused. It can also help field staff remain in the field long-term, giving them time for refreshment and reflection regarding their ministry path.


“The sabbatical is going really well – amazing, really. Feeling so much more vibrant, alive, connected, rested, reflective and healthy. It’s been so good for my parenting, my marriage and my heart, mind, and body!”

A Word of Encouragement

Sabbaticals are an important part of the life and career of a healthy pastor or ministry worker. Having a suitable sabbatical plan can help contribute to field staff being refreshed and refocused. It can also help field staff remain in the field long-term, giving them time for refreshment and reflection regarding their ministry path.

I've Been Asked to be a Sabbatical Advisor/Coach?

Sabbaticals are an important part of the life and career of a healthy pastor or ministry worker. Having a suitable sabbatical plan can help contribute to field staff being refreshed and refocused. It can also help field staff remain in the field long-term, giving them time for refreshment and reflection regarding their ministry path.

Overview of a Sabbatical

What is 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 employee. At the conclusion of the sabbatical, individuals will be expected to give an account of their sabbatical time to both their local ministry leadership and to Reliant.

Why Offer Sabbaticals?

  • It is one of the greatest tools a missionary has towards the aim of longevity
  • It's a safeguard against the cult of personality
  • It's the greatest tool a church has towards longevity
    • Make Sabbatical a Non-Negotiable Part of Your Ministry’s Culture

Why Take a Sabbatical?

It's good for you. It's good for the church

How to Communicate with Donors

  • All career employees employed by Reliant at least 7 years
  • Have not already taken a sabbatical within the past 7 years
  • Employed 20+ hours/week for the majority of their Reliant employment

Typical Phases of a Sabbatical

These are just “typical” it’s okay if your sabbatical doesn’t follow this.

PhaseTimeframeDescription
Phase 1: Preparing to Off-Ramp5-6 months before sabbatical begins
  • Release & Relinquish
  • If married, have a 1 on 1 with your spouse to talk through the sabbatical

Phase 2: Rest & Recovery

3 months

Phase 3: Reflect & Refocus

4 months

Phase 4: Preparing to On-Ramp

6 months

Phase 5: Re-Entry or Exiting



Scaffolding for your Sabbatical

Sabbatical Coach / Advisor

  • They do this

  • How do I select an coach or advisor?
  • And this!

  • And this!

Sabbatical Rhythms

  • Daily Rhythms
  • Weekly Rhythms
  • Monthly Rhythms

Optional Sabbatical Support Group

  • They do this
  • How do I select a support group?
  • And this!
  • And this!

What is Reimbursable?

It is highly recommended that you schedule an appointment with the Reimbursements Coordinator at reimbursements@reliant.org before making any major purchases and plans to ensure the costs will be eligible for reimbursement.

  • 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 approval is required before any expenses can be reimbursed

Resources

Books and Articles

Sample Away Messages for your Email Inboxes

It is good to have an away message during this season.

I will be out of my office, and on a Sabbatical, until (insert date).  I am trying not to respond back to most of my email during this time.  If you feel like it would be important that I read your email before (insert date), make sure to resend it with "URGENT" in the subject line. Thank you for your understanding, and prayers for renewal during this Sabbatical.


Hello! 

Thank you for your email! I will be away from work emails until the end of (insert month) taking a sabbatical. If you'd like to ensure that I respond to your email, please email me again after (insert date)! 

If you are a ministry partner: 

  • with questions, concerns, need help or would like to change your giving, please reach out to gift.services@reliant.org
  • with any questions about (insert ministry name) specifically, please reach out to (insert email address)

If you are a student, previous student, or parent of a student and have a need or question, you can reach out to (insert name), our (insert title), or our (insert leadership/governance team). 
First Name Last Name, Title - first.last@reliant.org
Leadership/Governance Team - email@yourministry.org

With joy, 


I am currently on sabbatical and will not personally be checking email or doing my typical ministry roles until (insert date). For operational purposes, my assistant, (insert name), will monitor my inbox while I am on sabbatical to help facilitate connections with the appropriate parties.

Given an anticipated high volume of messages that will likely be difficult to respond to in a thoughtful manner, I will not be responding to any emails received during the duration of sabbatical. I value your time and giving appropriate thought to responding to you, and so I ask that you send me a new message after I return to work on (insert date).

If you have questions regarding (insert ministry), please contact our board at theboard@yourministry.org in my absence.

Grace and Peace,

Potential Retreat Centers & Programs

This list is not an endorsements of the locations. Rather it is a collection of locations past sabbatical takes have had positive experiences at.

  • Puerto Rico
  • Hawaii
  • Chad's Program

Credits

Many thanks to the following people:

  • Bill at Navigators
  • Gaia Stanley at New Life Church
  • Eugene Peterson

Questions?


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