How should a sabbatical be structured?
This is my third post in a series on rest through sabbatical. Check out the first two:
Now I want to answer the question from the title (how should a sabbatical be structured?). There are many ways of planning a sabbatical. Fortunately, as sabbatical has become more commonplace for pastors, there have also been wise voices to instruct and guide. Ruth Haley Barton’s book, Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest is excellent. Another great resource is a ‘sabbatical coach’ which I realize sounds bit strange, but they are somewhere between a spiritual director, a counselor, and a ministry coach. My sabbatical coach, Rich Plass, helped me so much on my previous sabbatical in 2017 that I’ve decided to work with him again on this sabbatical. Here is some of his wisdom for how a sabbatical should be structured (directly quoted below)…
He says a sabbatical has three goals:
1. The first is REST.
Rest is needed because the demands of doing ministry well are exhausting. Even when ministry leaders take a day a week away from work and a day a month in retreat, an extended sabbatical time is needed.
To facilitate rest the sabbatical time will include extra sleep, reading novels, watching movies, walking, and hiking. Physical activities such as swimming, biking, golfing, skiing, and swimming will also be encouraged. The time and activities will be schedule both alone as well as with one's spouse and children.
The sabbatical should be a special time of enjoyment with family so that it creates good memories for all involved. Any meeting with ministry colleagues must NOT turn to matters of ministry.
2. The second goal of sabbatical is RECALIBRATION.
Sabbatical rest is not an end in itself. The leader must be recalibrated so as to return to ministry with a different mind-set. One must experience the presence of Christ in a way that fosters a greater trust and discernment of His will for life and ministry.
To facilitate recalibration [a spiritual coach/director can be helpful.] The spiritual coach will guide the sabbatical experience, offer Scripture passages for meditation, ways to engage in contemplative prayer, and suggestions for journaling. The coach will be a spiritual mentor helping the one on sabbatical hear Christ's invitation as to how the soul needs to be recalibrated for future ministry.
3. The third goal is a healthy RE-ENTRY.
Often pastors are dangerously tired when they go on sabbatical. The goal is to help them not to get in a similar situation in the future. And so we work hard to develop a new "way of being" for the pastor re-entering his responsibilities so that he does not wind up in the same place. This includes an evaluation of issues like control, delegation, trust, self-worth, and service. We work with the elder board as well to develop realistic expectations of what the pastor can and should do in the future.
Trinity, I hope this gives you a sense as to what my journey of sabbatical might look like, and I covet your prayers as I prepare to embark, but also all along the way.
In the love of Christ,
Pastor Joel
P.S. I have one more post I’ll share before my sabbatical begins June 8th:
What Will You Be Doing On Your Sabbatical?
