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TABLE
CPM-Committee on
HISTORY |
SABBATICAL LEAVE GUIDELINES
The Presbytery of the James recommends to churches that Ministers of the Word and Sacrament and Certified Christian Educators be granted a compensated Sabbatical Leave of up to three (3) months after the completion of six (6) continuous years in an individual congregation within the Presbytery of the James.
Preamble: Sabbatical Leave is an extension of the Biblical concept of renewal through the Sabbath day and Sabbath year. The model for Sabbatical Leave is Jesus Christ, who took time to be in prayer away from his own community of disciples on the mountain, on the road, and out on the water. Sabbatical Leave is a time of “…holy leisure, leisure that is for holy things, leisure that makes the human more human by engaging the heart and broadening the vision and stretching the soul.”1 Sabbatical Leave is “…a time to receive, to be nurtured, to dig deeper into yourself, your relationship with God and your own roots and stories, so that you can be renewed, refreshed, and revitalized by the breath of God.”2
Definition: The Sabbatical Leave for a Minister or Certified Educator is qualitatively different from an academic sabbatical, study leave, or vacation. The Sabbatical Leave frees the Minister/Certified Educator from the ongoing pressures of deadlines, pastoral duties, and being constantly on call, and replaces that with a plan that encourages activities such as rest, travel, study, and reflection while allowing for the possibility of seizing the moment when opportunities not planned present themselves. A renewed and refreshed pastor would be expected to bring new energy and insight to the life of the congregation.
The Sabbatical Leave is also for the congregation. It is an opportunity for the congregation to reflect on the whole nature and meaning of ministry and the place of the congregation in that ministry; to renew and strengthen congregational lay leadership; and to continue to grow in faith through different perspectives and preaching styles which supply preachers may bring.
Establishment of Leave: We strongly encourage that a Sabbatical Leave be part of the initial Terms of Call for a Minister/Certified Educator beginning a ministry with a congregation in the Presbytery of the James. Making this provision well in advance will allow ample time for the Minister/Certified Educator to plan the time away from the church as well as for the congregation to set aside funds in the budget each year to cover expenses projected for the period of leave. In the event the Sabbatical Leave was not part of the initial Terms of Call, the Minister/Certified Educator and Session are urged to work together on a proposal for Sabbatical Leave, which would be a part of the subsequent Terms of Call to be approved by the congregation. The congregation should have at least six (6) months’ notice prior to the beginning of the Sabbatical Leave. _________________________________ 1. Joan Chittister, Wisdom Distilled From the Daily: Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today. Harper San Francisco, 1991, p. 101. 2. A. Richard Bullock, Sabbatical Planning for Clergy & Congregations. The Alban Institute, Inc, 1998, p. 5. POJ Approved: Stated Meeting #50, February 9, 2002, Page 15
A SABBATICAL EVENT
CHURCH______________________________________________________________
PASTOR/EDUCATOR___________________________________________________
THE PRESBYTERY OF THE JAMES adopted Sabbatical Guidelines in 2002, encouraging congregations to provide Sabbatical experiences for pastors. In an effort to build on this concept, the Professional Leadership Board will begin gathering resources that will be helpful to congregations and pastors/educators who are making such plans in the future.
PLEASE SHARE ANY INFORMATION that has been helpful to you and return this form (with attachment) to:
Sue Brossart, Program Assistant for Church Leadership & Mission Development 1251 Presbytery Court Glen Allen, VA 23059 E Mail: suebrossart@pbyjames.org
WHEN DID YOUR SABBATICAL TAKE PLACE?
WHEN AND HOW DID YOUR SABBATICAL EMERGE?
WHAT RESOURCES DID YOU FIND HELPFUL IN YOUR PLANNING?
WHAT STRUCTURES, GROUPS, INDIVIDUALS WERE PUT IN PLACE TO FUNCTION DURING YOUR SABBATICAL?
HOW WAS YOUR SABBATICAL FINANCED?
DESCRIBE THE NATURE OF YOUR SABBATICAL (rest, family, study, travel, adventure, etc.)
SHARE BRIEFLY THE BENEFITS YOU AND OTHERS ENJOYED FROM YOUR SABBATICAL.
FROM YOUR SABBATICAL EXPERIENCE, IS THERE ANY ADVICE OR WORDS OF CAUTION YOU WOULD OFFER OTHERS CONSIDERING A SABBATICAL?
WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO BE CONTACTED BY ANYONE CONSIDERING A SABBATICAL?
PLEASE ATTACH ANY PAPERS THAT GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF YOUR SABBATICAL - schedule, organization of committees, etc.
Revised 2-03
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Presbytery of the James |