Sabbatical: What does that term really mean?
The term “sabbatical” is usually thought of in an educational setting.
However, in addition to academic agencies, many corporations, as well as a growing number of religious groups, are offering their workers an opportunity for an extended time away from job responsibilities for the purpose of reflection, renewal, and revitalization. This release from employment obligations should not be confused with vacation or sick leave. It is an entirely different concept, which embodies the idea of a conscious focus on physical, mental, and spiritual renewal.
The word itself is Biblically based. It is taken from the Old Testament Hebrew word for Sabbath, which literally means “rest.” The idea is first mentioned in the book of Exodus. Moses said to the children of Israel, “This is what the Lord commanded: Tomorrow is to be a day of rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord…” (Exodus 16:23 NIV) Thus, the principle of resting 1 day in 7, and 1 year in 7 has deep roots in God’s ordering of His people’s activity.
The apostle Paul took times of study and reflection. Before public ministry, he spent an extended time in Arabia (Gal.1:17), and serving quietly in Damascus. These times seem to have been sovereignly arranged by the Lord.
In his book Time Bomb In The Church, Dr. Daniel Spaite reveals that a pastor not taking a sabbatical (leave) rest may be disobedient to scriptures. Thinking of the fact that food for God’s people came from the ground, it was important to rest the soil every seventh year for continued sustenance. Since the pastor feeds the congregation (i.e.; his/her flock), it is important that the soil from which he/she produces food must be rich and rested, not exhausted and depleted.
The following is a simple definition of a pastoral sabbatical:
The sabbatical is an extended leave of absence from the pastorate for the purpose of renewing the pastor (and family) physically, mentally, and spiritually.
In order to further clarify the meaning of a sabbatical, the following comparisons are made of what it is and what it is not:
What a Sabbatical Is:
- It is a time apart from the pastorate;
- It is a time for rest and reflection;
- It is a time for renewed focus and vision;
- It is a time to “pull things together”
mentally and spiritually; - It is a time to be stimulated by new learning;
- It is a time to concentrate on family relationships;
- It is a time to evaluate the past
and envision the future; - It is a time for the local church to grow.
What a Sabbatical Is Not:
- It is not an extended vacation;
- It is not a resignation or dismissal;
- It is not a sick leave;
- It is not a time to pursue advanced academic degrees;
- It is not a time to pursue a new career or new pastorate;
- It is not a time to focus on negative aspects of life or ministry;
- It is not a time to do things that distract from the central purpose of
renewal.
In summary, a pastoral sabbatical is a structured program that allows the pastor (and family) to take a leave of absence from his or her pastoral assignments for a specified period of time for personal and spiritual renewal, after which he/she returns to the pastorate and resumes the pastoral responsibilities.
It [a sabbatical] is a very tangible reminder to everyone that the church is the bride of Christ and not the property of one or a few individuals or personalities. While there may be concerns about fulfilling pastoral needs during a pastor’s sabbatical, the staff and leadership teams at CCF have worked very hard to create a culture of teamwork and shared responsibility, and are prepared to deal with all the usual matters of the church, including any emergencies that may arise.
Click HERE to read the complete Sabbatical Information Booklet.
Click HERE to read about the plan for responsibilities during Pastor Melanie’s sabbatical.