SABBATH REST POLICY
Seymour
311 Myers St .
PURPOSE
The term Sabbath Rest has replaced the term Sabbatical because Sabbatical sometimes indicates academic pursuits. While Sabbath Rest may include academic studies, it actually has a broader and deeper meaning than the term Sabbath when applied to ministerial leadership.
Even Jesus took time for renewal. One need only look at the most basic story of creation (Genesis 1:1) to find that the Spirit of God calls for order and calm within the chaos of our lives. In the creation story, during one-seventh of that calming, the creative power of God was dedicated to rest and renewal; it was called “Sabbath.” In Jesus we see a continuation of that truth. Our relationships with life and with God call us to “rest with Him.”
We, the congregation of
At the same time, it is the intent that the church will be challenged to a special time of renewal as well as an enlarged vision of its ministry. New interest and energy emerges in the congregation because members take on new leadership opportunities and perform some of the ministry duties during Sabbath Rest.
129.10. In order to encourage a healthy pastoral ministry and the lifelong learning of the pastor, the church board, in consultation with the district superintendent, should provide a sabbatical leave for the pastor following each seven consecutive year of service in one congregation. The timing and duration of the sabbatical shall be determined in consultation with the pastor, church board and district superintendent. It is strongly urged that the pastor’s salary continue in full and the church board provide for pulpit supply during the sabbatical period. Materials shall be developed and distributed by the appropriate department of the church to guide local congregations in establishing and implementing a sabbatical leave policy and procedure. —Nazarene Manual 2005-2009
The underlying purpose of this action is to encourage long-term pastoral tenure among Nazarene churches and encourage pastors and their families. We believe that a Sabbath can be instrumental in preventing ministry burn-out while also providing the pastor with a renewed perspective on his call and ministry.
TIME FRAME FOR SABBATH REST (Senior Pastor)
A Sabbath Rest of 8-15 weeks will be provided to the Senior Pastor during the 7th year of consecutive full time employment with
The scheduling of the Sabbath Rest shall take into consideration the needs of the congregation, the scheduling needs from the pastor's proposal, and other pertinent concerns as may be established.
TIME FRAME FOR SABBATH REST (Associate Pastor)
A Sabbath Rest may be provided to full time associate pastors at the discretion of the Senior Pastor and
PLANNING
Since this is a special time of renewal it is very important that the planning aspect of the Sabbath Rest is not taken lightly. This program represents a major commitment by the church as a whole and needs to be treated as such to ensure the longevity of the Sabbath Rest program. It shall be the responsibility of the Sabbath Rest Committee and the applicant to ensure that proper planning has occurred. It shall also be the responsibility of the Sabbath Rest Committee to present this plan to the
PROCEDURE FOR CONTINUING THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH DURING THE PASTOR'S SABBATH REST
The pastor and the Sabbath Rest committee will provide a proposed plan for the continuing ministry of the church during the Sabbath Rest. The pastor will be responsible for appointing persons from the pastoral staff or arranging for interim leadership to carry out the administrative duties, congregational care ministries, and pulpit responsibilities.
It is recommended that only normal activities and regularly scheduled events in the ministry of the church (i.e. Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening services, regularly scheduled Board meetings, other regularly scheduled meetings, etc.) are to be carried out as usual.
It is recommended that special events and programs or fellowship gatherings be limited during the Sabbath.
During the Sabbath Rest, contact with the Pastor should be limited to the following:
1. Any event that the Sabbath Committee and the interim pastor jointly determine to be an emergency situation; and/or
2. A specific prearranged request by the Pastor.
3. The liaison between the congregation and the pastor, during the leave, will be determined by the pastor and the Sabbath Rest committee in the planning stages of the leave.
FINANCING
The church shall make the following financial commitment during the pastor's Sabbath Rest:
1. The pastor's full salary and benefits will continue. There will be no reduction of salary or benefits during the duration of the Sabbath Rest.
2. Guest speakers and or expenses for the ongoing ministry and pulpit supply will be taken care of by the church.
3. All funding necessary (including housing, mileage/transportation, meals, etc.) for the Sabbath Rest shall be provided for by the church. A line item will be added to the church budget for the expenses of the Sabbath Rest.
4. In an effort to provide additional funding alternatives for this program, grants/special donations will be sought after, and applied for or requested, through the Sabbath Rest committee.
THE PASTOR'S FAMILY
The pastor and his or her spouse shall determine the role family members will play in the Sabbath Rest. That role shall be included in the proposed plan for Sabbath Rest that the pastor submits to the Sabbath Rest Committee for Board approval.
The pastor's immediate family members may, but are not expected to, attend regularly scheduled services and/or activities. The pastor and family members shall be free to communicate with the church community as they desire.
However, to enable the Sabbath Rest to accomplish the intended purpose, it will be requested of the congregation and the Board that there be no direct communication with the pastor or the pastor's family members.
RETURN FROM SABBATH REST
Upon return from Sabbath Rest, the pastor shall first meet jointly with the Sabbath Rest Committee and the
The purpose of the meeting shall be twofold:
1) The committee will inform the pastor of all issues that have arisen in his absence, bring him up to date on all activities, and discuss the effect the Sabbath Rest has had on the church. The Sabbath Rest Committee will keep a written record of births, deaths, major hospital stays and any other major events that occur during the Sabbath Rest. This report will be presented to the pastor prior to his initial meeting with the Sabbath Rest Committee.
2) The pastor may in turn give a brief oral report to the Sabbath Rest Committee on his activities and what he feels transpired with regard to carrying out the goals of the Sabbath Rest. It shall be expected that the pastor will gradually reassume his workload over time, as not to quickly forget the lessons learned during this time of renewal.
The pastor and the Sabbath Rest Committee shall each prepare a written report at approximately one month following the pastor's return. Topics will address the favorable as well as the unfavorable aspects of the period. An additional report will be prepared six months after the leave. This will provide a longer view of the time spent and can help lay groundwork for future Sabbath Rests. A copy of each will be forwarded to the District Superintendent for his review.
STIPULATIONS
1. Sabbath Rest will not negate any of the pastor's earned vacation. Vacation days may not be used to extend the length of Sabbath Rest.
2. Sabbath Rest will be in addition to Board approved events or seminars throughout the Sabbath Rest year.
3. No personnel shall be hired or terminated while the Senior Pastor is on Sabbath Rest, unless approval is given, by the pastor, prior to his departure.
4. No two members of the pastoral staff may be on Sabbath Rest at the same time.
5. No Board meetings, outside regularly scheduled monthly meetings, will be held without the prior approval of the Senior Pastor or the District Superintendent.
6. The pastor is expected to remain in employment with the congregation for a minimum of 12 months after the leave. This is to be viewed as a courtesy to the congregation and an effort not to tarnish the reputation of the Sabbath Rest program as a whole. In the event that the pastor chooses to resign prior to this time, he may be asked to assume a portion of the financial responsibility for the Sabbath Rest.
The purpose of this policy is for direction and is not intended to be all inclusive. Proposed changes or additions in the above policy may be submitted to the
