An Open Letter for Pastors' Sabbaticals
At the beginning of last year, we adopted a sabbatical policy for our pastors. After completing six years serving as pastors, Pastor Brett will plan to take a sabbatical this summer and Pastor Zach this fall. This is not a vacation. A professor uses a sabbatical in order to become a student again with an extended time away from teaching. Similarly, our pastors are to receive their sabbaticals in order to feed their own souls with an extended time away from feeding the church.
When I was at the Serious Joy Pastors’ conference a few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting a pastor visiting from England. He and his wife were both attending the conference at the start of his three-month sabbatical. I asked, "What does your church require of you during your sabbatical?" His answer, "That we (he and his wife) conduct ourselves in a godly manner. Beyond that, nothing is required." What a lesson there is for us in this answer.
There is something in our American culture that emphasizes work at the expense of rest. We want to live with a proper view of work and rest. This is one way we seek to better learn the lessons of rest. The purpose of this sabbatical policy is to promote the spiritual health of our shepherds by granting them an extended break from normal ministry for their enrichment, rest, renewal, and personal growth.
We do not want pastors to burn out. We do not want pastors to neglect their own souls. Instead, we want to bless our pastors and promote their longevity in the ministry and at our church.
With all of this in mind, I have included below a brief letter to Pastor Brett and Pastor Zach.
When I was at the Serious Joy Pastors’ conference a few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting a pastor visiting from England. He and his wife were both attending the conference at the start of his three-month sabbatical. I asked, "What does your church require of you during your sabbatical?" His answer, "That we (he and his wife) conduct ourselves in a godly manner. Beyond that, nothing is required." What a lesson there is for us in this answer.
There is something in our American culture that emphasizes work at the expense of rest. We want to live with a proper view of work and rest. This is one way we seek to better learn the lessons of rest. The purpose of this sabbatical policy is to promote the spiritual health of our shepherds by granting them an extended break from normal ministry for their enrichment, rest, renewal, and personal growth.
We do not want pastors to burn out. We do not want pastors to neglect their own souls. Instead, we want to bless our pastors and promote their longevity in the ministry and at our church.
With all of this in mind, I have included below a brief letter to Pastor Brett and Pastor Zach.
An Open Letter to Two of Our Pastors
Pastor Brett and Pastor Zach,
On behalf of Westview, I want to express gratitude to God for your work in the ministry of Word and prayer these last six years. We thank God for you both. As an expression of our love for you and your work among us, we want to bless you both with an extended time away from the day-to-day concerns of ministry. With a desire for you both to be refreshed and enriched, I and the other pastors want to exhort you in the following things:
On behalf of Westview, I want to express gratitude to God for your work in the ministry of Word and prayer these last six years. We thank God for you both. As an expression of our love for you and your work among us, we want to bless you both with an extended time away from the day-to-day concerns of ministry. With a desire for you both to be refreshed and enriched, I and the other pastors want to exhort you in the following things:
Strive to Enter God's Rest
The author of Hebrews warns what it is that makes people unable to enter God's rest, "They were unable to enter because of unbelief" (Hebrews 3:19). Use this time to strengthen your belief, to be refreshed by the living and active Word, and to look to Jesus the founder and perfecter of your faith (Hebrews 12:2).
Seek the Presence of God
"My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest" (Exodus 33:14). Rest is not something that can be taken. It is something that is given by God, and true rest cannot be received apart from his presence. The sabbath is different from the other days of the week not only due to the lack of work but also because of its emphasis on the Lord's presence. Let this be the refrain of your sabbatical: to be earnestly seeking the presence of the Lord.
Entrust the Church to Her Chief Shepherd & Your Fellow Pastors
Westview Church belongs to Jesus. He is our Head. He is our Chief Shepherd. We are his church. Let this truth lift the burden of ministry from your shoulders during your sabbatical. In his kindness, the Lord has raised up a plurality of elders at Westview. Four under-shepherds will remain with and care for the church.
Delight in Your Family
Pastoral ministry is full of emotional highs and lows. There are always more people and relationships to which you can devote your energy and bandwidth. Take this time away from those concerns to devote your energy and bandwidth to your wife and children.
Know We Are Praying for You and Eager for Your Return
We love you both and wish to bless you as you have blessed us. We pray that you will be refreshed as you enter your next seven years of ministry at Westview. As eager as we are to send you on your sabbaticals, we are far more eager for your return.