Reflection on "Sabbatical"

The following is a reflection on "sabbatical" from one of the elders of CBC.

The modern evangelical movement has made astounding investments in the preparation and education of men and women for life-long ministry. Colleges, universities, bible schools and seminaries have been established, supported and staffed throughout the history of this country by every denomination and fellowship contained in the evangelical church. Some have sponsored or seeded scores of institutions of higher learning for the sole purpose of producing church leadership for the future.

This traditional emphasis has translated into assumptions made in the field, in the way churches both large and small conduct a pastoral search. Near or at the top of every list of qualifications expected is a mandatory period of sound biblical education, or the equivalent in on-the-job training. Taking someone ‘green’ with no training or education is almost universally recognized as a recipe for failure in the pastorate. Therefore, the overarching commitment to pre-ministry training and education is also supported by the actions and policies made at the church level.

Individually, when men and women assume the task of ministry, they usually begin with the unspoken assumption of a life-long commitment to Christ and the work of the ministry they are entering. Preparation and training for ministry is often extensive, involving seminary, internships and working with one or more mentors. It is the rare individual that doesn’t extend and stretch themselves in intensive training and education before feeling ready to assume the responsibilities of full time vocational ministry.

All this to emphasize that pre-ministry investment and discipleship in our culture is almost universally considered natural and expected. Fellowships, churches and individuals believe that educational training is vital to the successful ministering and shepherding of individual flocks across the country and into the future.

What is striking in the process is the marked and dramatic change in approach that takes place after a pastor is hired full-time. Once someone enters the real work of the ministry and ‘flies solo,’ a continued structure, plan and commitment for the long-term health, support and investment in the pastor is rare. On the one hand, the principles of continued education and development are supported both financially and structurally. What is missing is a continued plan for the deep, intense time investment for the kind of spiritual development and growth that takes place before a ministry begins. To address the need, many churches attempt to stop the gap by supporting retreats, personal study, seminars and even the occasional class. But these events are limited to days or weeks at a time and are usually considered to be part of or synonymous with the allowed vacation budgeted to the pastor.

When longer periods of investment, education or training are suggested, the flock is often hesitant and the pastor in turn feels guilty or fearful at the consequences of extended time away. These realities are compounded by the lack of a planned and coordinated support structure from the fellowship to aid the church while the pastor is away.

The consequences have been grim. Pastoral exhaustion and burn-out are at epidemic proportions across the modern evangelical landscape. Ministries that begin with so much promise and expectation are too often ending with bitter results for both pastor and congregation. These consequences result from a myriad of causes, but the unspoken assumption that the pastor (and wife) have within themselves unlimited resources to draw from because they went to four or more years of seminary is surely a primary contributor to the unhappy results we see today.

To help combat this crisis and program solutions before the pastor and congregation are at their end, pastors, leadership and the congregation need to realize the importance of deep, regular investment in the pastor’s life-long continuing education through workshops, seminary courses and personal study.

Among the options available, leave for rest and renewal is a primary way that congregations can support a pastor’s health and hope. Ministry sabbaticals can help healthy pastors stay healthy in the midst of the pressures and complexities of ministry. From time to time ministers need and require an extended period of time for study, personal growth, reflection and renewal without the demands of one's regular duties and responsibilities -- a sabbatical leave. In the short term, experience has shown that the congregation's ministry directly benefits from such study, growth, and renewal. This is augmented by the enablement of long-term ministry, which is revitalized and stimulated. All parties benefit, but the support and realization of long-term ministers and ministries is of vital importance. Keeping long-term ministries intact is a precious asset for any church or fellowship to build bridges and resources for the Lord’s work, workers and disciples of the future.