Sabbatical
Monday, March 29, 2010 at 5:00AM This past weekend we announced that I'll be taking a short, three-month sabbatical this summer, beginning in June and wrapping up at the end of August.
The sabbatical is coming as a result of three things:
First, we've been looking at the wisdom of a sabbaticals in general. We've learned from other churches, and seen the benefits of pastoral sabbaticals. We've also seen the dangers that come when people don't have the opportunity to take one when they really need it. People like David Barker of Heritage Seminary have taught us on the biblical wisdom of sabbath and sabbaticals.
Second, I began sensing that I need it. I've found myself a bit slower to recharge than I used to be. I began reading Leading on Empty by Wayne Cordeiro - a book that every pastor should read - and realized that there are some warning signs that I can't ignore. It's easy to ignore them right now because I'm not at a crisis point, but prevention is a lot more effective than recovery.
Finally, I'm at the point at which I need to make some strategic choices in what I'm doing. The sabbatical will allow me to take a step back and begin to make some needed changes in my life and ministry.
Every workman knows the necessity of keeping his tools in a good state of repair, for "if the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength." If the workman lose the edge from his adze, he knows that there will be a greater draught upon his energies, or his work will be badly done...
We are, in a certain sense, our own tools, and therefore must keep ourselves in order...For the herald of the gospel to be spiritually out of order in his own proper person is, both to himself and to his work, a most serious calamity; and yet, my brethren, how easily is such an evil produced, and with what watchfulness must it be guarded against!
Spurgeon's right. Pastors really need to pay attention to how they are doing. There are many ways that we can do this, and a sabbatical may be part of the answer.
I'd really appreciate your prayers leading up to the sabbatical. I'm not saying this lightly: I believe that God is up to something right now, both individually and at Richview. This feels a little like a season of preparation, and I'd really value your prayers.
If you are in church leadership and your church doesn't have a sabbatical policy, then I'd highly recommend that you look into it. Don't wait too long to put this in place. Somebody really needs to write a book on why this is important, and how to implement it, because I'm not aware of anything on the subject right now apart from the more general topic of sabbath.
On a related note, John Piper announced yesterday that he has requested an eight-month leave of absence (not sabbatical) from his church:
I see several species of pride in my soul that, while they may not rise to the level of disqualifying me for ministry, grieve me, and have taken a toll on my relationship with Noel and others who are dear to me. How do I apologize to you, not for a specific deed, but for ongoing character flaws, and their effects on everybody? I'll say it now, and no doubt will say it again, I'm sorry. Since I don't have just one deed to point to, I simply ask for a spirit of forgiveness; and I give you as much assurance as I can that I am not making peace, but war, with my own sins.
I really appreciate his openness and example. May his tribe increase.
Update: Just found this (via Chris Brauns):
Within evangelicalism, we tend to expect a level of spiritual hyper-productivity from our pastors. And so we rarely, if ever, let them enjoy the sort of sustained rest from their labors that is truly required to replenish their hearts and their minds. Sabbaticals, in their core, are breaks from activity to let God be God, and to create space for him to work in us anew. So it is encouraging to see one of our most prominent relinquish his duties and simply enjoy the world and relationships that God has given to him.
Reader Comments (7)
Great point on Sabbaticals Darryl. I think that many pastors don't feel the option to take them without having an assistant pastor to watch over the flock. I'm not sure that should be the case, but it often is. Hopefully at least more senior pastors will take advantage of the blessing of having an assistant.
You're right, Geoff. Most pastors haven't even seen this as an option. I've seen this work in some pretty small churches with solo pastors. It takes some work but I think it's possible even in smaller contexts.
Darryl - This is great news. I took a ten week sabbatical in 2008 and I think I can safely say it was good for both me and the church. I tend to think that most of the benefits will be felt over the long term - which makes measuring the success or defending the usefulness of a sabbatical that much harder to do. That said, if God grants you grace to seek Him (which I am confident you will do) during that time, the measurable effects may be much more immediate! May your people pray for you like mine prayed for me!
Awesome! I'm glad for you -- your church will benefit greatly from it (and so will you!).
"There are many ways that we can do this, and a sabbatical may be part of the answer." Question: If a sabbatical is not an option what are the other ways?
Ken:Wayne Cordeiro gives a lot of good advice in Leading on Empty. Some of his ideas include personal retreat days (Stott took these once a month) and getting honest feedback from trusted friends on changes we should make.Intentional weekly sabbaths can help a lot. Many of us are bad at taking them, and we either work or fill them with chores. The clergy retreat centers also are a good option. I'm sure there are tons of other ideas.That being said, sometimes we could really benefit from a sabbatical.
I have been praying about taking a sabbatical myself. I hope when you are done you will post some articles about the process.