Take a Sabbatical!

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

Why do pastors need a sabbatical? What does the Bible say about it?

What are the purposes and goals of a sabbatical? How can churches practically make it happen?

Download this 25 page handout from Focus on the Family for a really helpful discussion of these topics. Or check out this brief overview from Acts 29, or this one from 9 Marks. The suggested EFCA sabbatical policy is available here. The Lily Endowment offers a once in a lifetime grant churches can apply for on behalf of their pastor. For those in the southeast, here are several free or affordable getaway options for sabbatical or general vacation. (Those not in the SED, please share options near you in the comments!)

“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.”

1 Timothy 5:17

Sabbath teaching begins in the very first chapter of the Bible. One of the primary purposes of Genesis 1 and the creation account is to demonstrate the rhythm of work and rest that God Himself followed and highlighted repeatedly in the Torah. Though modern church practice has gotten away from sabbath, solitude, silence and other historic disciplines, many are calling us back to these practices, most notably Pete Scazzero and the Emotionally Healthy series and John Mark Comer with his book and podcast, Fight Hustle, End Hurry. Comer quotes Dallas Willard giving advice to a young pastor on prayer and spiritual growth: “You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.”

The fact is that pastors bear a unique burden due to the nature of our shepherding work. Every week we balance the demands of leading with energetic vision, preaching with Biblical passion, administrating with wisdom and efficiency, caring for people with warm relationships and supporting staff and lay leaders with the guidance and resources they need to succeed in their ministries. No human being can excel at all of these roles but pastors are expected to do so continually, without complaint and for minimal pay.

The Apostle Paul had it worse than any of us, but he eloquently describes the situation:

“…in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?”

2 Corinthians 11:27-29

Sadly, since COVID, research shows that 42% of pastors have thought about leaving the ministry. The top reason given is the immense stress of the job. Other key reasons are loneliness, negative impact on the family and loss of hope for ministry success.

A sabbatical can address all of these issues by helping the pastor and his family draw closer to the Lord and each other through the gift of rest. Check out this conversation with EFCA Pastor Matthew Hickok who shares his experience of needing and taking a sabbatical and the renewing effect it had on him, his family and his ministry. Matthew is transitioning this summer (2024) to go on staff with IMI/SOS in order to serve pastors and churches for free, filling the pulpit and providing leadership and pastoral care for the church while the pastor takes a sabbatical.

Contact Matthew directly to learn more!

Watch this episode here.

Listen to the podcast episode here.

We are the EFCA Network. If you need a sabbatical, please contact us for help with pulpit supply and pastoral care while you’re away. If you are a retired pastor or otherwise able to help with that kind of coverage, please contact us as well!