Sabbatical Frequently Asked Questions • 2025

What is a pastoral sabbatical leave? 

In a phrase, it is “renewal by stepping away.” A sabbatical is much more intentional than a vacation. This is a guided process where a pastor deliberately trusts God in all the ‘unfinished’ and disengages from ministry and leadership involvement to allow for serious evaluation of life and ministry. It’s a time for rest and refreshment, as well as renewal and re-visioning. A sabbatical typically includes time for travel, prayer and reflection, with the intention of broadening one’s sense of God’s wonder and work in the world.

Why is this a good thing for a pastor? 

Many pastors—and especially church planting pastors—can go and go and go. It is very hard for them to shut down or tune out in order to renew or be renewed. They need to stop and step away intentionally. Nourishing one’s soul, discovering a new perspective and hearing God’s voice calls for both a change of pace and a change of location. Taking a sabbatical is an application of the biblical principle of rest times (a sabbath day each week, sabbath year every seven years and a jubilee every 49 years). As an act of faith, we disengage from our regular work for the purpose of worship, rest, renewal, and repair. 

Why is this a good thing for our church community? 

A sabbatical for the pastor does not have to be met with anxiety or church paralysis. A sabbatical can provide an opportunity for discovering new strengths for ministry within the congregation and watching authentic growth in individuals as they discover their own particular gifts can benefit the church, even after the pastor’s return. The congregation benefits from the opportunity to discover leadership skills by assuming some administrative and pastoral duties in the pastor’s absence. Long term, the congregation should expect to benefit from renewed leadership through a pastor who is both physically and spiritually refreshed and who is aware of new developments and stimulated to more effective ministry. As a result, both the congregation and its staff have the opportunity to be exposed to new initiatives, programs and ministries that will benefit the church.

We are blessed to have a highly competent staff, leadership team and ministry leaders who can lead in his absence. Summer is a good time for a pastor’s sabbatical since church programs and events are more casual and less frequent. This timing also allows Pastor Rob to be back in time for full participation in our fall ministry season.

Why is this a good thing now? 

Restoration is completing 14 years of existence and Pastor Rob is completing 25 years of full-time pastoral ministry. When Pastor Rob requested a Sabbatical, the leadership team unanimously voted yes as we want to support his decision and time through this journey. To follow the best practices of those who have served well, we desire to follow the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence guidance from our denomination, our conference, and other ministries for Sabbatical lengths. The recommendation is 6 weeks of sabbatical leave every 4 years or 3 months of sabbatical leave every 7 years. Pastor Rob previously had a six-week sabbatical in 2014.

How long will the sabbatical be? 

Three months

When will the sabbatical be? 

It is currently being planned from May 19-August 19, 2025. 

Who will be covering the Pastoral duties while he’s gone? 

The leadership team and staff are working on those details and will share more in early to mid-March and in early to mid-May. 

Is this a sign that he is leaving our church?

Pastor Rob is not updating his resume, searching for other jobs or moving across the country. He is not ill. His marriage is healthy and his kids are well. This sabbatical is a joyful blessing for him, his family and for Restoration. Let us anticipate and trust the work God will do in us and in him.

What will Pastor Rob do during this time away? 

Honestly, a sabbatical is more focused on what a pastor will NOT do. After consulting with other churches and pastors, Pastor Rob is working with a sabbatical advisor to help him navigate the recommended stages of sabbatical: 

1. Release and Rest. During this first phase he will disengage from the ministry and leadership responsibilities. It doesn’t mean ceasing from all activity. Rather, it means stopping ministry activities and, where possible, other areas of leadership and stress. He will lean into what restores him emotionally and physically and feeds him spiritually. 
2. Reflection and Revision. During this phase, he will consider how God has spoken in the past and posture himself to hear His voice in the present and for the future. He will schedule extended times alone with God, to listen for his voice and what God wants to say to him, and ask the Father, “What changes in ministry, leadership, thoughts and habits would you like me to change as a result of hearing from You?” 
3. Re-Entry: Prepare to transition back into ministry and leadership.