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Sabbatical Policy for Senior Pastors

Discussion in 'Pastoral Ministries' started by Dr. Bob, Mar 26, 2003.

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  1. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Does your church have one?

    Is this a throw-back to another generation and no longer relevant today?

    What guidelines/limitations would you put on such a policy?

    Ours (one I am proposing for new senior pastor coming in June) is 12-weeks AFTER 7 years. Not vacation or education, but renewal, reviving. Maybe going to some conferences, doing some reading - but MUST leave town. And check in with elders so there is accountability.
     
    #1 Dr. Bob, Mar 26, 2003
  2. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    We've been looking at the idea too, but we've got some time to work on it. The senior pastor (currently the only pastor) is still wet behind the ears.
     
    #2 Deacon, Mar 26, 2003
  3. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    No church I have been in has had one. But many churches, when I was in them, hadn't had a pastor for more than seven years.

    I think it comes highly recommended for all church staff. 7 years sounds good. Mine would be coming up soon. I could use one now. I am exhausted.
     
    #3 SaggyWoman, Mar 26, 2003
  4. Jonathan

    Jonathan Member
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    What about "writing breaks"? I know that John Piper's church allows him about a month each year to isolate himself for writing.
     
    #4 Jonathan, Mar 27, 2003
  5. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    A neighboring pastor to me gets the entire month of June off, paid at a "retreat" center up near the Grand Tetons. Fish, hike, horses, but key is the library for reading, enriching and writing.

    I sure like that idea. + he still gets 3 weeks vacation for travel, seeing grandkids, etc.
     
    #5 Dr. Bob, Mar 28, 2003
  6. Haruo

    Haruo New Member

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    Y'know, I don't know if we have such a policy. The pastor who was here when I was baptized retired after more than 10 years here, and I'm pretty sure he didn't get a sabbatical in there (as distinct from vacations). So we probably don't have such a thing; I'll have to ask.

    My dad was the ABC campus minister at the University of Washington from 1953 to 1967, at which point (after 14 years, that is) they gave him a full year off, paid (I gather the policy was 6 months every 7 years but he had never taken the first one). He spent the year as a visiting fellow at Waseda Hoshien, the Christian student center at Waseda University in Tōkyō, and we kids had the priceless experience of attending Japanese public schools for a year (without which I would never have ended up with a name like Haruo). So I'm all in favor of generous sabbatical leave policies, especially if I or those I love are on the receiving end.

    Haruo
     
    #6 Haruo, Mar 28, 2003
  7. Trapper

    Trapper New Member

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    I don't think it will work. Why, because few can make it 7 years. Those that do will be near death and a sabbatical will probably be to late. I'm new to the pastorate and can see burn-out approaching. I think a month off per year would be great with those making it to 5 years recieving say 5 months off to do whatever suits them, as long as it's out away from the church.
    Sincerely
    Ol Trapper
     
    #7 Trapper, Mar 29, 2003
  8. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

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    I think it should be more often than seven years. Maybe five.

    Pew and Lily foundation will pick up the tab of the pastor's salary while the pastor is on sabbatical leave under certain circumstances.

    Our church presently doesn't have one. We've been in the dark ages on some things. We just got an ARP worked out. It will take some time.
     
    #8 TomVols, Mar 29, 2003
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