SABBATICALS
BUILDING CLERGY HEALTH FOR SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP
In our post-Christendom and post-modern age, ministry in the Pacific NW demands spiritually mature, relationally vibrant, and emotionally resilient pastors. NWC Presbytery’s Commission on Ministry (COM) encourages all minister members of our presbytery to grow in spiritual, physical, emotional and relational fitness for ministry. In conjunction, we encourage personnel committees and sessions to actively promote and encourage their pastors to grow in personal, professional, spiritual, and fiscal health.
These guidelines are meant to help churches and professional staff implement policies for Sabbatical Leave. (We hope churches will develop and implement this in their own setting.) Sabbatical leave is beneficial, both to ministry professionals, and to the churches they serve. Sabbatical leave can help individuals to refocus their vision, and find renewed sense of call. Often, Sabbatical Leave is needed to find a new or intensive continuing educational experience not made possible in a two-week time period