Does Your Church Have a Clergy Sabbatical Policy?

A growing number of congregations recognize that something must be done to keep their pastors healthy and effective. Clergy 'burnout' has become rampant.

What steps should you take if your church does not have a clergy sabbatical policy?

Step 1--Learn about sabbaticals

For the past ten years, Alban Institute has published the two most commonly used introductions to the clergy sabbatical:

Clergy Renewal: The Alban Guide To Sabbatical Planning by A. Richard Bullock and Richard J. Brueshoff
Why You Should Give Your Pastor A Sabbatical by Roy M. Oswald
Most local churches in the United States are affiliated with a larger church body. The value of the clergy sabbatical for clergy renewal is so widely accepted that virtually every Christian denomination offers guidelines and sample policy statements for congregations to adapt to their local situation. It makes sense to seek guidance from those who ordain, roster or supervise your pastor. Do not overlook the most obvious resources available to help you learn about sabbaticals.
Also, contact neighboring churches that already have a clergy sabbatical policy. All you have to do is "ask"--in all probability, you will find others who are eager to share their experiences and their recommendations as you develop a clergy sabbatical policy for your church.

Step 2--Approve a sabbatical policy

Once you know something about sabbaticals, you can begin the process of doing what is necessary to facilitate a sabbatical for the clergy who serve your parish.

This step requires familiarity with how your church governs itself. What documents must be drafted and approved? Who must be involved in order to gain approval and support for the implementation of your clergy sabbatical policy? Obviously, this varies from church to church.

A Sample Clergy Sabbatical Policy

(BLANK) Church acknowledges that a sabbatical will enable the person(s) serving in the position(s) of (BLANK) to be renewed through an extended study leave.

Therefore, (BLANK) Church recommends that person(s) in the position(s) of (BLANK) be granted a compensated sabbatical of at least (BLANK) months after (BLANK) years of service to our church.

The (BLANK) (committee/board/team) will be responsible to facilitate a successful sabbatical-- reviewing the sabbatical plan, mediating any concerns of the church or clergyperson, and coordinating pastoral services during the interim absence of the person taking the sabbatical.

The sabbatical plan must be submitted at least (BLANK) months in advance of the proposed study leave that is approved by (BLANK) (governing board).

Step 3--Implement the policy

For a clergy sabbatical policy to succeed, it is extremely important to clarify and communicate expectations and to ensure that practice aligns with policy. This can be accomplished in several ways including the use of board minutes, constitution and bylaws, employment agreements, employment manuals, annual employment performance review proceedings and newsletter articles.

For the sake of all concerned--the congregation, the governing board(s), and the church employees--make sure that you communicate repeatedly the rationale for the sabbatical policy.

After the sabbatical, keep a few things in mind:

Find ways to affirm what happened during the interim of the sabbatical, both in the congregation and for the person on sabbatical
Celebrate the homecoming and the reunion of the congregation and the clergy who have been apart from each other
Most churches like a commitment from their pastor that he/she will remain at the church at least a year after the sabbatical
If your church does not have a clergy sabbatical policy, now is a good time to develop one. The key ingredient here is someone who cares deeply about the health and effectiveness of your pastor. The motivated person, then, needs only help the governing board and your pastor to follow the three steps outlined: (1) Learn about Sabbaticals, (2) Approve the Sabbatical Policy, and (3) Implement the Policy.
Dr. Dell Shiell and Diane Shiell, a husband-wife team, co-founded St. Hans Ministry Exchange, Inc. in 1991 to promote home and ministry exchanges. They also co-authored a book, Fair Exchange: A Ministry Exchange Between the USA and Norway.

Serving Lutheran churches for 32 years, Diane and Dell advocate both creative stewardship and entrepreneurial stewardship for Christian ministry support.

To make your clergy sabbatical affordable, they recommend ChristianHomeExchange.com, an online home exchange listing directory for Christians--both clergy and laity.

To make any ministry project "affordable," check out Fundraising With Homes, a fundraising program to complement your church's capital campaign and the planned giving effort for your church endowment.