Perhaps some of you read my recent blog entitled Am I Spiritually Sick. There I spoke about the recent need I have been feeling to care for my soul. I am so busy “doing” that I forget about “being.” As a minister, I need to care for my inner life so that I am serving others from an overflow of my own relationship with God, not out of duty which can lead to burnout. This has led me to think more deeply about my views on Sabbatical.
Denominations and many campus ministries have periods of Sabbatical – times where staff are freed from there normal working duties for three to six months to do a number of things such as rest, study, vacation, visit other churches, and more. I’ve always wrestled with the thought of Sabbatical for myself personally and for Campus Renewal as a ministry. I’m not sure it is Biblical, but given my state of mind/heart I am questioning my questions. Ha!! So here are some thoughts.
Sabbath vs. Sabbatical
There is no doubt that Sabbath is Biblical. God rested on the seventh day and He commands us to keep the Sabbath in the Ten Commandments. I don’t believe this is just an Old Testament command either (like any of the ten commandments). However, I don’t believe the Church needs to keep the Sabbath in the exact same way as the Jews were told. We don’t all have to Sabbath the same way. Remember Jesus’s teaching that “the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”
I, for instance, Sabbath on Saturdays. I do not do anything related to CRM work on Saturdays. I don’t return calls. I don’t open my computer. With rare exceptions, I don’t schedule events. I basically try not to do any job-realted work. I do, however, do work around the house and yard and watch a lot of college football, in part because these are enjoyable activities for me and in part because they are not work (meaning, they are not my job).
We should all practice the Sabbath, no matter our line of work. We may define it our own way. At the very least it means getting away from work and doing things we enjoy and being with people that we enjoy. I consider it a sin not to do so on a weekly basis (with exceptions to be sure). I am unsure, however, that Sabbatical is Biblical. In large part because only “ministers” get a Sabbatical.
Why Do Only “Ministers” Get Sabbatical?
My engineering friends do not get a Sabbatical. My business friends do not get a Sabbatical. My teaching friends… well maybe they do, but they really deserve it! This is where the idea of Sabbatical is hard for me. I believe in the priesthood all believers. By that I mean I am not more of a “minister” or “missionary” than you are where you live, work, or play. This is a very, very deep conviction for me. It makes the idea of “ministers” getting a Sabbatical foreign to me.
Sure, ministers may need to be careful to “tend to their soul,” but no more than the computer programer needs to do so. When talking to my friends about this, some said that I (as a minister) need to be even more careful to take care of my inner life because I need to minister to so many people in my line of work. I, however, felt like I could argue the exact opposite. It’s my computer programmer friend who needs to care more about her inner life because she has to be at work 8-10 hours a day while I get to read the Bible and pray with folks 8-10 hours a day!
Working Sabbatical
My “pro-Sabbatical” friends have convinced me a bit when it comes to thinking of “working Sabbaticals.” Recently one of my pastors was given a Sabbatical from the church, but there was a high degree of accountability and structure to the Sabbatical. He had to do so many hours of study. He went to Europe to take a class with a well-known professor. He toured Europe and studied church history. Another pastor I know takes a yearly “Sabbatical” to plan sermons and calendar for the year. It’s more of a study break.
I am close to being convinced that this type of Sabbatical is useful (though maybe not Biblical). It’s work, but it is a change of pace from normal work and a chance to get rejuvenated for the year or many years ahead. It’s almost like on-going education that many of our careers require.
What Do You Think?
Honestly, I want to know your thoughts. I have been asking friends about this a lot over the last year or two. I like to hear what people think about the subject. I may even want someone to convince me that Sabbaticals are Biblical and I need to take one now!!
I am truly uncertain on all this, so I do welcome your thoughts.
Justin Christopher is the director of Campus Renewal Ministries at the University of Texas and author of Campus Renewal: A Practical Plan for Uniting Campus Ministries in Prayer and Mission. He gives leadership to the Campus House of Prayer and the missional community movement at the University of Texas.
John Seale
11 years agoHey Justin,
Seems to me that sabbaticals may become necessary because of poor inner spiritual life habits. Ideally, the minister is refreshed by God daily through balanced living without anything in excess. Regular Sabbaths keep life in balance. It seems to me a bit like treating the symptom instead of the problem. Of course, I say this as someone who is woefully bad at doing it, but I feel that a sabbatical is not what I need, more balance in my life is what I need. Regularly ending up in the hospital because of continued poor choices in life would not be healthy…good choices to stay out of the hospital would be much preferable!
I do like the idea you present of the “working” Sabbatical, however. Everybody, not just ministers, needs regular opportunities to sharpen their saw through education or experiences that are outside their normal routine.
Justin Christopher
11 years agoThanks John. Good to hear from you. Miss you at UT. I agree about it needing to regularly be refreshed. Most important for sure. “Sharpen the saw”, as described in 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a great reference. Maybe we ministers need built in times of learning – conferences, study breaks, etc. Ongoing learning I think.
Brian
11 years agoI would say most computer programmers DO have sabbaticals… they’re called vacation days. Everyone needs SOME time to rest.
Justin Christopher
11 years agoOf course. CRM staff have vacations too. Very needed. I agree! But a Sabbatical is different – more like 3-6 months off (some ministries even do a year “off”).
Neal Pirolo
11 years agoAt a Board meeting last year, I said, “I have just searched our By-Laws and find nothing about a sabbatical for the director (me)!” I “informed” them that after 28 years at the helm I was going to Israel to participate in an archeological dig in the City of David—something I had wanted to do for many years. I have just returned revived, refreshed and renewed! It was hard work! We moved a lot of dirt! But it was a restoration par excellence! I am ready to write another book!
mark proeger
11 years agoI don’t worry as much about whether or not something is “Biblical” in the sense of being explicitly spelled out in the Bible. After all, there are many things we do that are not “Biblical” but are also not wrong. So is it wrong to take time away from work to focus fully on God? This question applies to people of every profession. For instance, what would you think of an engineer taking 6 months off to focus on their family? It wouldn’t bother me in the least. Same goes for any profession I can think of and as you pointed out, teachers get them annually! Now if something is “anti-Biblical” or “contra-Biblical” then we have a problem, but if you can take a break to recharge and refocus, then I think it is a great thing (says the guy who is less than a year removed from a sabbatical!) ; )
Bob Likely
6 years agoIt seems to me that this article does not utilize any Bible verses to back up this idea. It’s especially weird because a “Sabbatical” is a year long thing (see Leviticus 25:1–7). So taking a Sabbatical has nothing to do with, oh, taking a vacation like everyone else does. So I think this article should replace everything that says “Sabbatical” and replace it with “vacation” and you’ll be good.
Jeff VanderLaan
6 years agoWould this still be a sabbatical? What about thinking about it less as a vacation and more as professional development. When given my Sabbatical by the board of my ministry they said: “It should be noted that sabbaticals are not vacations, nor are they escape mechanisms from ministry difficulties. Rather, a sabbatical is a time for structured and intentional renewal and refocusing and recharging for future ministry.” I must have a written plan, budget, and produce a sabbatical report. Would non-ministry people have as big of a rejection of this?
DJE
5 years agoRegarding “sabbaticals” for Pastors,
I believe that this is a secular academic concept that some churches have adopted. It is less biblical and more of a secular adoption. I think that if a pastor needs time away beyond the normative vacation then there is something wrong with the Eldership in supporting the pastor adequately. Secondly, in the NT there is no command or theology around the pastor sabbatical concept. If there was, it would have been included in many popular systematics under Ecclesiology. Likewise, I agree with Mr. Likely above.
Jerry L. Richardson Sr.
5 years agoI have to agree with Bob Likely. I am the elder of the church I attend and even though I am glad in a way that God never called me to the ministry other than teaching, my Pastor is seeking a 3 week sabbatical which a big part of me disagrees with. I believe that is what a 4 week vacation per year is for, refreshing. He now has 28 days left of his vacation why not take that time for his Sabbatical?
Chantel
5 years agoHi Justin
Not sure if you are still reading these comments but I recently got a bit unsettled when every second person saying they are going on a Sabbatical or thinking of taking a sabbatical for this or that. I am a working women in the IT industry and currently studying theology – testing everything in God’s Word. The sabbatical that everyone refers to is not biblically accurate – God said that the land need to gain back its nutrients for a period of rest (Lev 25), it doesn’t mean that you have to stop working but you will however reap the benefit with your next harvest. Nowhere in the Bible does it say a person should take a long break to recover from any form of work . Furthermore, I do agree that everyone should have a weekly sabbath day and off course you should take time off for relaxation, holiday as well as time off if you need to further your studies and so on. Jesus left the Holy Spirit as our Comforter, Helper and Counsellor thus giving us the necessary energy and wisdom not to burn out. We need to practice self discipline in all areas of our lives. One of my mentors in the bible is Paul. I don’t read Paul taking a sabbatical he pressed on, he did however made time to rest but didn’t take 3-6 months to gain energy to go back in spreading the gospel. In essence if you need a long break and everyone is supportive of this long break then by al means but this cannot be expected as being a Biblical privilage if it is not clearly stipulated in the Word. It is more the mindset of Christians that bothers me instead of the actual action. What difference does it make whether you work as a programmer or a pastor – both being Christians have the ability, without discipline, to burn out.
Would love to hear what you think.
David Davoust
5 years agoThanks for the article and discussion. I am a business owner and am considering a sabbatical after 28 years of running two companies. I have done prayer retreats of a couple days before using Lorne Sannys excellent article on how to spend a day in prayer. I took one Mini sabbatical of 2.5 weeks, when my wife told me I was going insane. I used that time to sleep and reconnect with God. And even wrote a book. I don’t think our organization would even exist if I hadn’t done that. At least it wouldn’t be where God wants us to be.
I agree that there is no particular difference between those being paid to minister full time and those who just minister anyway. But I think leaders getting away to refocus and plan is important. I think those being negative here are probably not familiar with the constant pressures of running an organization. I of course don’t know your situation. If you can really take every Saturday and not answer calls or emails, then you are doing a job better job protecting yourself then I am.
But my sabbatical, if I take one, is not just meant to benefit me. It’s easy to get into a rut running a business or any organization. Getting away allows new Vision casting. And an evaluation of what you’re doing to see if your gotten off track from what God might want to do. It also allows other staff a chance to shine.
I think of Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus. We as Americans think that time off is unproductive. I struggle with that as well. But I long to just focus on relationship with God for a period. And not just in little pieces between calls from work.
I do think a year off for a minister would be a really long sabbatical. Unless he’s using that to go to school or something like that, I don’t quite understand how that would be beneficial for the organization. But a vacation is not the same thing as an extended sabbatical. I am convinced it needs to be at least a few months to get your head out of the every day stresses.
For me, I think there are two parts to extended time off. Part is just rest and sitting at the feet of Jesus. Then I will see what ministry or training he wants me to do with the rest of the time. I can’t see doing “nothing” for an extended time, but I would caution against too structured a sabbatical. If you have to account for all your time to a board ahead of time, then it’s not really letting go.
Just some thoughts from someone also considering a sabbatical.
Lynn
5 years agoI really appreciate Chantel’s comments. We, as Christians, all should be ministering to those around us. That means most have full time jobs and a family AND do some form of ministry. Our minister gets 5 weeks of vacation per year in addition to being sent to retreat/conferences at least two times per year. Now, he is going on sabbatical for two months…for vacation. How are we as the church being good stewards of our money to fund such a thing? I, like Chantel, look at Paul and the other leaders in the early church, and I see none of them taking sabbaticals. It makes me so sad, and I wonder What our Father has to say about it! I look around at people in our congregation who work really hard. They take their one to two weeks of vacation per year. How does it make them feel to see such extravagance from their “minister”. I’m sure there may be cases where a sabbatical is called for, and in such cases, can’t congregations be led by the Spirit to offer it? …We, the church in America, have become so entitled. How can we as people in the congregation have a good attitude and be right before the Lord while under leadership of this mentality? I’m asking because I’m struggling.
Brenda
4 years agoLife in ministry can be very demanding and stressful. It is so important that we not only minister to others , but also take the time to minister to ourselves by spending time nourishing our relationship with God. Jesus saw the importance of spending time God as many times He went away from the crowds to be alone with God. As we spend private time with God, He will refresh us and give us the strength we need to continue on in the ministry. Some time we need to go apart before we come apart. Allow God to direct your steps in the way He will lead you as He knows what is best for you in every area of your life!
S
4 years agoI’ve really appreciated the various comments here. My husband and I have both worked full time while he (and by extension we) has served as a lay pastor at our church. Earlier this year, by his choice, he changed jobs so he’s not working his normal 50+ hours but still has a lot on his plate.
Recently our family and church went through a serious tragedy. I saw the need for us to take a break, attending another church for 1-3 months to lean into the Lord to be in a better place to serve in the future. However we received a lot of push-back from this idea (others are looking to him/us to lead in this season; he wants to support those he loves who are grieving; Biblical descriptions such as those shared here of people who increased service in hardship; etc.).
We firmly hold to the priesthood of all believers, yet I do think discussion of if and how Sabbaticals play out for lay and bi-vocational/part-time pastors is sorely lacking. The ones I know are exhausted, and have little support for or avenues of this kind of rest.
Mervyn Naidoo
3 years agoI thank God for His Holy Spirit. He is the one who convicts us. My understanding from collective scripture is that taking sabbaticals is simply because we have gone to work without prayer. In prayer we spiritually take our rest in Christ. We then do what God desires. The Sabbath day cannot be associated with a Sabbatical rest as the Believer now rest permanently in Christ. That rest is seen through our relationship with Him. Any wonder why we have failed in our decision makings of the Church. We are simply not resting in Christ each time we go to work with and for Christ. The latter cannot precede the former. Pray before you go to work!.
The following is an excerpt from my book Prayer: First Be Seated” What is it that the Christian must still understand and abide by, yet may seem to be failing? It is called position. When we understand and know our position in Christ then our journey begins. Work for God will amount to nothing without position. The Church must come to know her position in Christ. If there is one thing that the she should be taught urgently is this thing called position – her position with the Lord. It is position that makes her run at the pace God intended and it is position that makes her stand without fear.
Pray without Ceasing!
God Bless!
Jeremy
2 years agoI agree with some of the first statements. We are all priests and I am the high priest of my family, But I also have a chemical site that I manage over 60 plus hrs a week including weekends and I face challenges everyday. Anytime I spend in the word with God is early in the morning when the world is still sleeping or late at night after I see the kids and I am completely exhausted. As part of the Body of Christ, the finished works of Jesus and his wisdom and revelation knowledge are available to me as they are to the person in a Pastor calling. Yet, I am told the pastor needs a month off for his spirit to rest and hear from the lord. Ok so why don’t we all quit our jobs and do that? I mean I need to hear from the lord as well. Are not all the parts of the Body of Christ important? Is God no respecter of persons? Then when this pastor comes back after I am persevering through the challenges of life and trying to hear from God, is he going to preach to me things I should be doing? Does someone who is not married tell a couple how they should be married? I believe the credibility for that pastor is lost. But one would say, “But he heard this from God.” So the relationship with God is by far the greatest desire and if I can’t hear from him while working to provide for my family should I quit so that I have more time to listen? Surely not because God has called everyone to something different. I overall believe that this significant time off to hear from the lord raises the pastor to a position that he/or she is above those families that he/or she is serving. As a retired Commander I have trouble listening to someone talk about sacrifice when they have not had to sacrifice. So as a Site leader with daily labor and production challenges, trying to be an active father and husband and seek the lord for direction I struggle with submitting myself to a pastor who is able to walk away from the battle for a month and/or months and then come back and tell me how to fight.
Katy Thielke
2 years agoI really appreciated your article and would love to hear your thoughts today. I especially appreciated the consideration you showed for all people and professions, not just teachers and pastors.
I noticed in Scripture that there are two types of sabbaticals: a year-long sabbatical from the land every seven years (called “shmita”) and a day-long sabbatical to be observed every week. EVERYONE was called to observe these sabbaticals.
Here is a quote from an article I read, titled, “What is Shmita: the Sabbatical Year?”…
Every seven years, Jews in Israel, observe the biblical laws of shmita, the “year of release,” which is more widely known as the sabbatical year. While the observance of this biblical law is only applicable in the land of Israel today, its spirit is something that can, and should, permeate everywhere.
The basic laws of shmita, which are outlined in several places in the Bible, demand that we cease from cultivating the land, that we release all debt, and that we relinquish ownership of anything that grows in our fields.
The key to understanding the spirit of shmita is to understand the weekly Sabbath. In fact, the year of shmita is also referred to as “a Sabbath to the LORD” (Leviticus 25:4). Just as we work for six days and rest on the seventh, we work the land for six years and rest on the seventh.
The purpose of the Sabbath is to remember that God is the true Creator. So, too, the year of shmita reminds us that God is the Creator and Owner of all.
From a social perspective, shmita is the great equalizer. The laws strive to achieve two separate goals simultaneously: to lift up the poor, and to humble those who are wealthier.
In Exodus 23:11 we read, “ . . . during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it.”
Notice that there are two directives in this verse. The first is that the land cannot be worked. This relieves the landowner from feelings of ownership and releases him from the pitfall mentioned in Deuteronomy 8:17: “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’”
In the year of shmita, anything that grows is God’s doing, not ours. It reminds the landowner that the land and everything in it belongs to God. While we may be entrusted with God’s abundance, ultimately, everything belongs to Him and it is our duty to share what we are given.
David
1 year agoI pastored for 30 years, then left the ministry at age 61 concerned I was on the verge of a mental break down. Pretty much financially devastated us. After 18 years pastoring the church, when I told the elder board I was resigning, one of them said, “This would not have happened if we would have done our job.” And that is exactly why pastors need sabbaticals.
Dean
10 months agoI am new in ministry, but now it appears the Holy Spirit is giving us a forced sabbatical as our approach is not working. We need to retrench and pray and see what our next steps our. As I have been reading scripture it appears there are several arguments for rest. Living a life of rest is vital. We all love Psalm 46:10 which tells us to be still and know He is God. The rest of the verse says, “I will be exalted among all the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” It appears that to exalt the name of God in mission/nations [work], we need to wait/rest [be still]. Whether we rest as ministry workers… or marketplace workers bringing forth ministry, we need to approach our time from rest.
It seems that there are multiple ways and times of rest:
1.) Daily- Mark 1:35, Josh 1:8 (cf Ps 119:105)
2.) Weekly/Sabbath- Gen 2:1-3 et al
3.) Situational – Mark 6:31 (John the Baptist’s beheading), Luke 6:12-13 (Jesus prays on the mountain for 24 hours.
4.) 40 day sabbatical Exd 24:18 and 34:28 (Moses), 1 Kings 19:8 (Elijah),
5.) Paul actually takes 3 yr (some argue 14 years) long sabbatical- See Gal 1:17-2:2 -the desert of Arabia
Terry
4 months agoI am 100% positive that everybody needs a little time off regularly. We here in the states call that a vacation. Sabbatical is a fancy spiritually sounding word for vacation. If you are taking a sabbatical as some define it and you are still working as in studying or other so-called spiritual activities (I don’t mean spending quality time alone with the Lord) then you are not on vacation. In that sense I suppose you can implant the word sabbatical. However I suggest that that person is not getting the rest that they really need. As for the Sabbath day, I agree 100% that we are not under the Jewish law anymore. But out of the 10 things that God gave the Jews and the rest of us for that matter; which could have been thousands of things; one of those things was take one day off a week to rest. It might be important.
God Bless