There are many benefits that accrue both to the congregation and to pastors through participation in a sabbatical leave program. In the following, the term “sabbatical’ is used to mean a planned and regular leave of absence for a full-time pastoral elder.

The word “sabbatical” literally means every seventh year, and is related to the Old Testament concept of Sabbath Day (for rest and worship) and Sabbatical Year (for renewal of the cultivated fields). It has come to mean, for persons in professional ministry, a leave of absence for purposes of renewal, learning, and growth.

Ideally, the sabbatical leave will provide an environment conducive to reflection, repositioning of perspective, restoration and renewal of inner strengths, along with intellectual and spiritual stimulation. Usually, such leave will not be used to pursue an academic degree program. It is assumed that the pastor granted a sabbatical leave already has acceptable academic credentials, but should further education for academic degrees be desired and/or needed by a pastor, an appeal may be presented to the Board of Elders.

A sabbatical of three months will be available to the pastor during the seventh year of service at The Family Church. (Subsequent eligibility is established in the fourteenth, twenty-first, twenty-eighth year, etc.)

The sabbatical leave is not automatic. It is not necessarily a reward for past service. Rather, it is an investment in a pastor’s present and continuing intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Of course, such health will directly affect the vitality of the congregation.

A sabbatical proposal shall be initiated by a pastor at least four months in advance of the stated leave time, and submitted to the Board of Elders. Final approval rests with the Board of Elders, who will also monitor the sabbatical. In some cases, the Board of Elders may suggest that a pastor apply for a sabbatical.

The pastor proposing a leave is expected to state in writing to the Senior Pastor and Board of Elders an acceptable rationale for the sabbatical, specific plans and arrangements, along with a covenant statement regarding intentions for future ministry at The Family Church. This proposal should be formulated in consultation with the Board of Elders. Such consultation will seek to prevent the problem of more than one pastor being gone at the same time in order to ensure the high level of service to The Family Church attendees will continue.  Sabbaticals will be granted at the discretion of the Board of Elders after prayerfully considering all factors concerning the proposal.

While on sabbatical, a pastor will report periodically to the Board of Elders.  Such information will be shared, as appropriate, with the congregation. At the conclusion of the sabbatical, the pastor will be present a written report to the Board of Elders.

During the sabbatical, full salary and benefits will be kept in force, except that satisfactory adjustments may be made if the experience provides for significant compensation to the pastor. It is not intended that a pastor receive double compensation. If special funding is necessary to maintain adequate leadership to the congregation during a sabbatical, such arrangements should be made in advance with the Board of Elders.

Under some conditions, a sabbatical may be used for one’s physical rest and recuperation, but only after medical evaluation and recommendation by a physician.

The Board of Elders will seek to be flexible in meeting the needs of the pastor and family on sabbatical, as well as in arranging for coverage of his/her responsibilities in the congregation. As much as possible, pastoral assignments will be handled by members of the congregation, other pastors on staff, or interim pastors.

The following list suggests a few of the appropriate sabbatical involvements. It is provided mainly to promote understanding of the program.

1.   Serving in another culture as an interim missionary, teacher, or pastor.

2.   Engaging in a period of intensive study-reflection-prayer at a seminary, house of prayer, or retreat center.

3.   Pursuing a significant writing project.

4.   Working on a major research project related to ministry and church life.

5.   Participating in an extensive travel/study experience.

Pastoral Leave Policy
Approved by Elders , March 25, 2010